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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:7,064 Points:1,627,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 7, 2012 1:56:10 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse it's all about dramatic improvements in battery technology
BBopp Champion Author Dayton Posts:6,839 Points:1,937,705 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 4:58:09 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 4:22:43 AM Ignore LauraLea5 Report Abuse Electric cars are still too expensive to buy!
gs7101 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,523 Points:387,920 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 4:04:17 AM Ignore gs7101 Report Abuse I'm still not convinced I would buy one.
335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,381 Points:759,045 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 3:59:07 AM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse Let's wait for real world, real car results.
angel4me Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,814 Points:794,545 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 6, 2012 12:15:30 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 12:01:14 AM Ignore TRYWI Report Abuse wow
kitty1750 Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,199 Points:470,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 11:26:35 PM Ignore kitty1750 Report Abuse Still not enough
MontanaMac Champion Author Washington Posts:1,736 Points:410,050 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 10:20:48 PM Ignore MontanaMac Report Abuse Still not enough
HYEgasCA Champion Author Fresno Posts:2,111 Points:910,000 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 10:13:32 PM Ignore HYEgasCA Report Abuse Still not enough!!
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,967 Points:680,765 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:56:14 PM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Improvements. Now what about the afterlife of the fuel cells?
leraar2 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,763 Points:787,660 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:54:03 PM Ignore leraar2 Report Abuse at least allows a daily commute AND evening transportation.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,421 Points:1,096,195 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:26:01 PM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse And what do you do when you run low or out of juice? Tow?
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,171 Points:1,930,480 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:22:06 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse Still not enough.
Nicoalbum Champion Author Ottawa Posts:6,016 Points:1,188,200 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:19:43 PM Ignore Nicoalbum Report Abuse Very well.
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,337 Points:744,700 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:15:54 PM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Nice
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,334 Points:569,545 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:10:12 PM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse Big deal.
cheapchickKY Champion Author Lexington Posts:4,017 Points:796,290 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 9:08:39 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 8:57:12 PM Ignore Rehorsehay Report Abuse Can the average Joe work on them?
cdrrod Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,154 Points:783,775 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:54:04 PM Ignore cdrrod Report Abuse And can a family of four ride in it comfortably???
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,293 Points:1,468,620 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 8:07:09 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Still no where ready for prime time, does it meet safety standards?
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,037 Points:700,405 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 7:52:35 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Good one TomT2Lee!!!
TomT2Lee Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:5,357 Points:1,597,230 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:49:49 PM Ignore TomT2Lee Report Abuse Next thought, a bicycle pedal system so the driver can help recharge the battery.
dbecks44 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,347 Points:432,430 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:48:23 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:477,110 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:46:33 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:2,997 Points:632,495 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:30:55 PM Ignore dsaine Report Abuse Still not 4 me.
BobBG All-Star Author Albany Posts:820 Points:810,710 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:30:16 PM Ignore BobBG Report Abuse Cool!
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,944 Points:1,015,645 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:20:22 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse Love it
GenoAR Veteran Author Arkansas Posts:429 Points:762,945 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:19:05 PM Ignore GenoAR Report Abuse Call me when range is 500 miles.
mike1881 Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:1,295 Points:564,425 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 5, 2012 6:06:17 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 6:04:27 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse Sounds like good news.