Motor Show sees launch of high performance electric sports car
Tue 22 July 2008
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A British specialist car maker, the Lightning Car Company, has launched a lightweight electric sports car which can go from 0-60mph in four seconds, travel up to 130mph and which can have a range of up to 250 miles. The new Lightning GT electric sports car features regenerative braking and a power distributing wheel management system which improves efficiency.
Three models are planned including a luxury model, a lightweight sport version and an extended range model that can run for 250 miles. Lightning is using a British-developed system called Hi-Pa Drive, an integrated motor and drive electronics in one single unit from PML Flightlink with a combined output of 700hp. The power comes from nano titanate battery technology.
Lightning says the GT electric is speed limited to 130mph to keep the range up and because higher speeds are not suitable in a road car.
The company claims charging costs are currently around 2.2p per mile, compared to 26.4p for the petrol equivalent. Lightning’s designers have also included a programmable engine noise sound management system which comes as standard with the motor and lets other drivers and motorists hear the car coming.
The company started taking orders for the car late last year and will soon be ready to start deliveries of its first vehicles. The Lightning is the first direct competition for the US-built electric Tesla Roadster sports car.
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