Believe it or not, the first Porsche electric car was created in 1900. It was a collaboration between Porsche and Lohner, two unknown car engineers who gained international acclaim because of their accomplishments. Porsche also went on to create the world's first gas/electric hybrid.
For many reasons, most of them political, the electric car did not take off. It faded into the background and was overshadowed by gas-powered cars for the next century. In recent years, a resurgence of interest in electric cars has encouraged the Porsche company (and others as well) to pursue electric cars.
In 2010, Porsche unveiled its jaw-dropping 918 Spyder concept, the first-ever plug-in hybrid. This "green" car boasts 78 miles per gallon and very low CO2 emissions. It has options that allow drivers to choose how they would like to power the car: electricity, gas, or both.
In 2011, Porsche followed up the Spyder concept with the Boxster-E, a completely electric concept that gets at least 100 miles per charge. The good news is that this car will have no emissions. (That is music to the Environmental Protection Agency's ears.) The bad news is that this concept is just that: a concept. Porsche has released no timeline for the official commercial release of this car. Customers will probably have to wait a considerable while to make this purchase.
However, when the Boxster-E does make it to the market, it is sure to please. It looks like an actual sports car, can reach speeds of 124 miles per hour, has two engines (one in front and one in the rear), is all-wheel drive, has 241 horsepower, and can go 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. Though gas-lovers are skeptical of its performance, Porsche has officially announced that the "Boxster-E is equivalent to the Boxster S in terms of driving dynamics." Of course, the real reviews will not come in until the car is available.
The secret of the Boxster-E is its battery. It operates on a rechargeable 29 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. At this point, the only drawback is that the battery takes nine hours to recharge. Though this "fueling" option is free, it is much less convenient than a five-minute trip to the nearest gas station. For anyone who drives under 100 miles a day, an overnight charge would not present a problem in most cases, but for those who travel long distances regularly, the long recharge time is limiting and extremely inconvenient. Charging limitations considered, Porsche's Boxster-E is still a very big and necessary step in the right direction, and the charging problem will probably be reduced (or perhaps completely eliminated) by the time it reaches the mass market. Until then, hybrid options are currently available and will have to suffice for now.
By Enid Glasgow
For many reasons, most of them political, the electric car did not take off. It faded into the background and was overshadowed by gas-powered cars for the next century. In recent years, a resurgence of interest in electric cars has encouraged the Porsche company (and others as well) to pursue electric cars.
In 2010, Porsche unveiled its jaw-dropping 918 Spyder concept, the first-ever plug-in hybrid. This "green" car boasts 78 miles per gallon and very low CO2 emissions. It has options that allow drivers to choose how they would like to power the car: electricity, gas, or both.
In 2011, Porsche followed up the Spyder concept with the Boxster-E, a completely electric concept that gets at least 100 miles per charge. The good news is that this car will have no emissions. (That is music to the Environmental Protection Agency's ears.) The bad news is that this concept is just that: a concept. Porsche has released no timeline for the official commercial release of this car. Customers will probably have to wait a considerable while to make this purchase.
However, when the Boxster-E does make it to the market, it is sure to please. It looks like an actual sports car, can reach speeds of 124 miles per hour, has two engines (one in front and one in the rear), is all-wheel drive, has 241 horsepower, and can go 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. Though gas-lovers are skeptical of its performance, Porsche has officially announced that the "Boxster-E is equivalent to the Boxster S in terms of driving dynamics." Of course, the real reviews will not come in until the car is available.
The secret of the Boxster-E is its battery. It operates on a rechargeable 29 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. At this point, the only drawback is that the battery takes nine hours to recharge. Though this "fueling" option is free, it is much less convenient than a five-minute trip to the nearest gas station. For anyone who drives under 100 miles a day, an overnight charge would not present a problem in most cases, but for those who travel long distances regularly, the long recharge time is limiting and extremely inconvenient. Charging limitations considered, Porsche's Boxster-E is still a very big and necessary step in the right direction, and the charging problem will probably be reduced (or perhaps completely eliminated) by the time it reaches the mass market. Until then, hybrid options are currently available and will have to suffice for now.
By Enid Glasgow
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