About the eBox

[kristopher]

The eBox is a new electric car from AC Propulsion. We designed it to meet the needs of urban and suburban drivers who want smooth, quiet, powerful, efficient, clean, convenient, and fun-to-drive transportation. The eBox will satisfy those drivers because it is powered by AC Propulsion’s patented drive system technology that delivers an unprecedented combination of both power, at freeway speeds, and efficiency, when the going gets slow. The eBox’s unique lithium ion battery, made from 5,088 small cells, stores more energy with less weight than other EV batteries so the eBox is light, responsive, and well-balanced even though the interior offers space for five comfortable people or for the many other items that people need to move around town. Well-built and fully-equipped, the eBox creates a serenity for its passengers, a serenity borne of the many virtues of electric transportation. At AC Propulsion, we can’t take credit for those virtues, but we can take credit for putting them on the road in the eBox. We are proud of the eBox. Since our founding in 1992, it is the best EV we’ve built.


We build the eBox by converting a Scion xB 5-speed to electric power. We chose the xB after looking at every small car on the market. The gasoline Scion xB costs less than $15,000 well-equipped and weighs less than 2400 pounds. The xB is huge inside so it meets the needs of a lot of people and it appeals to fleets. Scion is a Toyota brand and the Scion xB is built with Toyota quality. Not everyone likes the looks of the xB, but as the basis for a great EV conversion, the xB has the look of a winner.


Planning for what would become the eBox started in 2003 after the AC Propulsion tzero demonstrated the potential of Li Ion batteries by winning the 2003 Michelin Challenge Bibendum. In 2005, we made the decision to go into limited production. The eBox is built to order, starting with a customer-owned xB, and we are now starting to build the first cars for customers. We are also planning to display and demonstrate the eBox all around California as opportunities arise. Please watch this space for more information about the AC Propulsion eBox.


As a final note, in an unintended irony, the first eBox prototype was driven for the first time on June 24, 2006. That was the opening day for Chris Paine’s must-see documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?

http://www.acpropulsion.com/ebox/

[IDemo]

1. They didn't expand on the irony in the final paragraph

Alan Cocconi, the 'AC' in AC Propulsion, built the controller for the original GM Impact that later evolved into the EV-1.

AC Propulsion also designed the control system (the AC-150) used in the Tesla Roadster and the French 'Venturi Fetish', among others. They have been major innovators in V2G technology as well.

This company deserves much more attention than they get.

[DCKit]

2. OUCH!! $55K for the conversion - on top of the price of the car.

http://www.acpropulsion.com/ebox/pricing.htm

[tinrobot]

3. It's bascially a custom car.

They throw away the engine, gas tank, fuel system, and part of the drivetrain. That's a lot of wasted parts. On top of that, they have to put it back together by hand.

I wonder how much one of these would cost if Toyota built them on an automated assembly line? Probably a lot less.

[kristopher]

4. I think what they've delivered is 'proof of concept'

They've taken a versatile frame and body and using off the shelf technology have come up with an electric drive that recharges in a fairly short time, delivers adequate travel distance, and is V2G ready.

I see this type of configuration being the preferred alternative for at least one vehicle in most multifamily households. Except for the price, it demonstrates bar the automakers will be trying to exceed when they start rolling out their own versions of EV, IMO.