Open Access Article Originally Published: October 21, 2005
Permit me to introduce to you the eSpyder.
Never heard of it? Well, considering there's only about six of them in the entire world, that's not surprising.
The eSpyder is a custom built zero emissions electric car. The technology and components for the eSpyder are readily available on the market today. Steve Heckeroth designed and built the propulsion systems used in the first 4 electric Spyders (1994). eSpyder #6 was built by Peter Ohler in 2003.
www.eSpyder.org is a non-profit association of individuals and businesses, technical and non-technical, who are dedicated to the development of the eSpyder. www.eSpyder.org provides information to interested buyers and an owners gallery of the eSpyders built to date. Buyers can choose from four Spyder builders, numerous propulsion system suppliers, and installers across the country.
The gas powered Spyder building business has grown steadily since 1983 when Chuck Beck built his first Beck Spyder. There are currently four companies that build Spyders and over 2,000 have been built worldwide. Spyders that are destined to be electric (a.k.a. eSpyders), are purchased complete, with finished interiors and exteriors, but without an engine, gas tank, or exhaust for around $20,000. An eSpyder uses a complete, new, rolling car (a "roller" or "glider") from one of the four Spyder builders. The frame is reinforced tubular steel and the body is fiberglass. A propulsion system of the buyer's choice is installed to create an eSpyder.
With its raw, tight ride, the Spyder is a throwback to the small German sports cars of the 1950s. The lightness and simplicity of the Spyder makes a very good electric car platform.
Rear engine-mounted Kostov DC electric motor in Peter Ohler’s eSpyder
"The Spyder sure can make a great EV!" says Otmar Ebenhoech of Café Electric but wonders who will pay $40,000 for one.
Arnuad Hubert agrees. In January of 2002, Hubert wrote on the Renewable Energy Policy Project website "If you want to market it to the hip crowd who likes flashy cars but wants to have a clean conscience, then build an electric roadster with good looks.
"Personally, I strongly believe there is a very sizeable market for this kind of car. If someone out there is ready to import a fiberglass chassis from Chamonix Cars in Brazil and load them with NiCd batteries and decent motors and controllers, it might just cost less than $25,000, look like a little asphalt monster, and compete with the likes of the Ford Thunderbird, the Audi TT, the Lexus SC 430 or the Honda S2000. Many roadster drivers don't take those cars faster than 75 mph anyway. If you show them a hot little EV that will dust almost any ICE roadster at the green light, that will allow them to drive in the carpool lane to piss off their co-workers at peak hours, and that's 30-70% cheaper than the models pre-mentioned, they'll buy it - provided you market it right.
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15 comments so far...
25-Jul-2008
62980
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Perhaps I missed it, but what is the current range you are getting on an eSpider? I was also wondering what exactly you were using for your conversion (motor, batteries, etc). There are a lot of kit cars out there with plenty of options. I've done a lot of research in this area as I was part of a venture company but found the supply didn't meet the demand right now making it difficult to enter this market without a strong financial backing. I would however be happy to exchange information and sources as well as many key ways to reduce your manufacturing costs.
Posted by: Steven Black
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30-Dec-2006
42772
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Hey Folks,
I guess none of you have checked out the battery technology that is being used in the new cars produced by Phoenix Motorcars. The battery will give a mileage of 250 miles and recharges in 10 minutes.
The more powerful batteries are coming. In the coming years I expect to see a battery that gives 500 miles between charges and have someone drive cross country and stop six times or so at special filling stations to recharge. Imagine, 10 minutes to recharge to 95%.
Posted by: Mark Gailmor
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30-Dec-2006
42776
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Neat vehicle. Was just looking for some fiberglass bodies, or kit car kits for sale in Brasil, and happened to run across your web site.
I see the bodies are made in Brasil, and it was mentnioned that a neat frame was also made in Brasil.
If you would not mind, send me any and all information you might have about a kit car company in Brasil, as I would like to start construction asap. My wife is becoming anxious for her 'new' car.
I live in Porto Seguro. Thanks,
J David
Posted by: J David Phillips
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27-Nov-2006
38499
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If anyone has projects in the MD, DE, NJ, PA area, major media will be covering our GreenTV.com project. We want to include EV's.
Thank you, Lori
Posted by: Lori Lake
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06-Oct-2006
34357
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I think the AC propulsion system alone is around $30000 and that's not including batteries. I don't know why they only made 3 of them, AC propulsion must have gotten paid off by oil companies
Posted by: Jason Schade
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11-Sep-2006
32670
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I am totally committed to electric. but two factors are the main stopping point: 1] range and 2] refueling.
Range seems to be solved with the Tesla at 250 miles - but price at $100k, way too high.
Refueling - if you can get a 400 mile range with 20 - 30 minute recharge capability - even at a modest cost of say $25 per charge - then you have a viable replacement to the gas guzzler - and the potential for a real successful launch. The $ 25 recharge fee would be incentive enough for the current service stations, especially on the highways to provide recharge stations, as it would be almost all profit, and they'd sell more food in their restaurants while you wait. They have to have a profit motive that makes sense. it's a win-win. price would have to be $25 - 40k range for complete vehicle for masses.
seems like we need li-ion engine design similar to Tesla - and maybe reduce performance and increase distance. (and lower price)
while conversion kits are proof of concept - it is not enough to create the next industry.
Posted by: mark greg
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05-Aug-2006
30176
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I own a gas-powered Scion Xa and would change it to total electric if the prices are right.
Posted by: bruce mcgrew
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16-Apr-2006
18210
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Make mine in a 356 speedster, please...
I'd love to do a conversion on a speedster, but, until someone offers one I can finance for under 20k, I can't afford it...
Posted by: Dan Jordan
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21-Oct-2005
10393
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Green and cool. Very nice vehicles. Don't forget the AC Propulsion SCION conversions for more practical people. It has a roof , air conditioning and room for 4 people and bags from shopping.
The will have lithium batteries and all no electric parts are available from Toyota. Who knows maybe Toyota will see the light and start producing them directly.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Stack
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22-Oct-2005
10416
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So, I wonder what the cost would be with the ACpropulsion tzero Li-Ion power train?
-- Brandy
Posted by: Dennis Brandenburg
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24-Oct-2005
10469
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Hi Bill - Just wanted to point out that Henry Ford did have vulture capitalists (or at least investors). He started up with $28,000 from 12 investors which, adjusted for inflation, is roughly $600,000.
Posted by: Daniel Grambihler
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25-Oct-2005
10472
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This is what I'm talking about. A decent looking car that has been proven to be something people would buy instead of something that looks like a penis or a science experiment.
If they have similar performance as a daily vehicle then they'll be successful. With more success the price will go down and they'll be even more successful.
I'll be keeping my eye on these types of vehicles for my next car purchase.
Posted by: John Adams
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25-Oct-2005
10481
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Dear John, Peter, Bill, all you guys at ESPYDER I think you must be related to me. I have been promoting kit cars for electric conversions for years and I didn't know anybody else was doing anything similar and it is very encouraging to see someone else promoting and even proving it outright. My name is Wade Cooper and I am trying to start up a small company to manufacture custom electrics with the technology I have been working on since 1976 when popular mechanics sold plans for the urba-electric which looked like a stubby Fiero. I hope to prove my skills in this buisiness and then leapfrog accross the country getting rich businessmen to open their own companys, like a franchise that would use proven technology like yours, off the shelf parts, kit car bodies from all over the country and help us conserve oil by taking a bite out of Exxon and shell. I hope we can all share our ideas, I have about a dozen I would like to discuss with you people, perhaps you could print more of these encouraging articles and include all the statistics available. Good luck, sincerely, inventive41@bellsouth.net
Posted by: wade cooper
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27-Oct-2005
10534
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beautiful car! if you need a hand I'm looking for a good excuse to leave gradschool and would love do do anything towards working on your project.
Posted by: john murphy
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04-Nov-2005
10712
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To answer Dennis about the estimated cost of the AC Propulsion SCION conversion EVs. They targeted about 40K and that's with Lithium ion batteries with 100 mile range. Options of 200 mile range for &k more and 300 for another 7K.
They plan to do the xB and then xA and later the Tc. These are similar platforms. If Toyota or Honda did then directly instead of conversion, they would be 5 to 7K less.
Kinda makes a Prius Hybrid look like a gas guzzler doesn't it.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Stack
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