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Electric car prototype increases range to 218 miles

Tecca -- A few months ago, we reported on SIM-Drive's SIM-Lei, a Japanese electric car with a record-breaking range of 190 miles on a full charge. The company has been refining its prototype, and just broke its own record. Meet the SIM-WIL, an electric car that can go 218 miles on a single charge.

The secret behind the extended range is in the five-passenger car's design. The SIM-WIL is over 150 pounds lighter than the SIM-Lei, and has a larger battery. The new model is capable of going 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, thanks in part to its in-wheel motors. It has less space-age contouring than the last iteration, looking more like a normal (electric) car.

With American consumers wary about the range of electric cars, each small improvement in EV technology is important.

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Submitted Apr 05, 2012 By: PhilMils

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DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,075 Points:1,629,095 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2012 3:56:10 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse it's all about dramatic improvements in battery technology
BBopp Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,849 Points:1,940,405 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 6:58:09 AM Ignore BBopp Report Abuse An EV is still not for me. Bring on the CNGs with an affordable MSRP!
LauraLea5 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:779 Points:439,085 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 6:22:43 AM Ignore LauraLea5 Report Abuse Electric cars are still too expensive to buy!
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,533 Points:389,120 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 6:04:17 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse I'm still not convinced I would buy one.
335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,391 Points:760,995 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 5:59:07 AM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse Let's wait for real world, real car results.
angel4me Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,814 Points:796,045 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 2:15:30 AM Ignore angel4me Report Abuse then the batteries need replacement??
TRYWI All-Star Author Appleton Posts:898 Points:282,150 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 2:01:14 AM Ignore TRYWI Report Abuse wow
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,199 Points:470,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 1:26:35 AM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Still not enough
MontanaMac Champion Author Washington Posts:1,736 Points:410,050 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 12:20:48 AM Ignore MontanaMac Report Abuse Still not enough
HYEgasCA Champion Author Fresno Posts:2,111 Points:911,625 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 12:13:32 AM Ignore HYEgasCA Report Abuse Still not enough!!
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,977 Points:683,015 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:56:14 PM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Improvements. Now what about the afterlife of the fuel cells?
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,769 Points:788,655 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:54:03 PM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse at least allows a daily commute AND evening transportation.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,431 Points:1,098,145 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:26:01 PM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse And what do you do when you run low or out of juice? Tow?
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,181 Points:1,932,430 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:22:06 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Still not enough.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:6,027 Points:1,190,750 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:19:43 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse Very well.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,347 Points:746,650 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:15:54 PM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Nice
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,345 Points:571,795 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:10:12 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Big deal.
cheapchickKY Champion Author Lexington Posts:4,027 Points:798,240 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:08:39 PM Ignore cheapchickKY Report Abuse Still wary of range.
Rehorsehay All-Star Author California Posts:871 Points:45,925 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 10:57:12 PM Ignore Rehorsehay Report Abuse Can the average Joe work on them?
cdrrod Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,164 Points:785,725 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 10:54:04 PM Ignore cdrrod Report Abuse And can a family of four ride in it comfortably???
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,303 Points:1,470,570 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 10:07:09 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Still no where ready for prime time, does it meet safety standards?
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,047 Points:703,105 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:52:35 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Good one TomT2Lee!!!
TomT2Lee Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:5,357 Points:1,598,730 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:49:49 PM Ignore TomT2Lee Report Abuse Next thought, a bicycle pedal system so the driver can help recharge the battery.
dbecks44 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,357 Points:434,380 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:48:23 PM Ignore dbecks44 Report Abuse I'd buy one if it cost three grand. Somehow I don't think that's the case, though.
SilentpartnerMN Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,622 Points:478,460 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:46:33 PM Ignore SilentpartnerMN Report Abuse Now lets try it in the dead of winter with the lights and heater on.
dsaine Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,007 Points:634,445 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:30:55 PM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Still not 4 me.
BobBG All-Star Author Albany Posts:822 Points:812,500 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:30:16 PM Ignore BobBG Report Abuse Cool!
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,959 Points:1,018,570 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:20:22 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse Love it
GenoAR Veteran Author Arkansas Posts:429 Points:762,945 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:19:05 PM Ignore GenoAR Report Abuse Call me when range is 500 miles.
mike1881 Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:1,306 Points:566,375 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:06:17 PM Ignore mike1881 Report Abuse Awesome, lets get these out and drop the price to about $15,000
graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:4,968 Points:1,158,725 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:04:27 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse Sounds like good news.