cleantech, jalopnik, kleiner perkins, think global

Think electric cars coming to America

Norwegian electronic car manufacturer Think Global will ship 50,000 units to American customers, reports Alarm Clock. How much will this cleantech toy with a top speed of 65 mph set you back? $30,000. But hey, think of all the money you won't be spending on gas when you plug the car into our coal-fired power grid. The news comes as Think also announced funding from Kleiner Perkins, which presumably set the VC firm back more than $30,000. Video of the twee coupe zipping around Paris and London after the jump.

1:00 PM on Wed Apr 23 2008
By Jackson West
2,168 views
15 comments

Comments

Check, please at 01:12 PM on 04/23/08
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Burning coal in a power plant is more efficient and cleaner than burning gas in our cars on our streets.
MalcoveMagnesia at 01:17 PM on 04/23/08
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awwww, so cute. I just want to pick one up off th street, take it home and plug it in.
Mad_Science at 01:30 PM on 04/23/08
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Connectedness Index: 410
Brought to you by Acura TSX

You mean electric car, btw.
Electronic Vs Electric
DeadFlorist at 01:40 PM on 04/23/08
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I just want to point out that I love the coming electric era. As soon as we get factories the world over cranking out automotive grade lithium ion batteries and the prices come down a bit, I'm going to start buying sports cars with blown engines to convert to high performance electric. First stop is a 944. This is just going to be way too much fun.
EDogII at 01:44 PM on 04/23/08
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Electrice Deathtrap.
lascauxcaveman at 01:55 PM on 04/23/08
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Connectedness Index: 137
Brought to you by Acura TSX

Are you rich/lazy? Then call these guys:[www.worldclassexotics.com]
Spasticteapot at 02:25 PM on 04/23/08
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@do tell: @
It is, actually, if only because while petrol engines are often as little as 25% efficient, electric motors can be over 95% efficient.

href="#c5342681">DeadFlorist:
Have you ever seen the White Zombie dragster? They removed the gearbox because the motor had so much torque it was uneceessary! And it's road-legal!
HowardHughes at 02:50 PM on 04/23/08
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Is it highway compatible?
Check, please at 03:06 PM on 04/23/08
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@HowardHughes: 0-60 in 1.4 hours
bbucy at 04:17 PM on 04/23/08
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I weep every time I see something in Vwag I have already seen in a newspaper. Yesterday. Or the day before. Like this item.

In this case, I am completely verkempt because Mr. W failed to note the U.S. company with rights to import and sell importing and these gizmos is owned by Valley VCs.

I'm sorry, but I must now retire to compose myself.
Swifter at 07:14 PM on 04/23/08
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Let me know when it's $12K and not $30K. Meanwhile, I'll continue to drive my '96 Honda that I got used for $3K and gets 35 miles a gallon.
MacBastard at 07:21 PM on 04/23/08
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It looks just like one of the Penny Racer cars I had when I was a kid. If I got one of those, I would have to have to attach a giant replica penny to the rear bumper - then I can wheelie it all over town!
lawrence at 07:43 PM on 04/23/08
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...must they make these 'green' cars so dorky-looking?

Surely they can put a cooler shell on it, then that.
Hello_Newman at 08:35 PM on 04/24/08
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For 30 grand it's not going to happen, maybe the weak dollar or some other issue blowing up the price of a street legal golf cart. Everyone knows what you can get a base mini Cooper for and it would still have more features than that. With the US economy today, nobody is buying overpriced anything. Electric is nice, but for the next few years Mother Nature is just going to have to take one for the team.
rimplestultskin at 07:24 PM on 04/25/08
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is it, like, a rule of physics that any microcompact or subcompact, other than the mini, is either fugly or not available in the US?

give me an all-electric peugeot 206...not this ugly chunk of trash.