AC Prop’s xB-Based eBox

AC Propulsion, the Southern California-based electric drivetrain developer, is well-known within the industry for its tzero electric sports car. Lightweight and lithium-ion-powered, the tzero is immensely fast - and exceedingly impractical for daily use. Building upon its experience with the tzero, AC Propulsion's new eBox offers the same technology in a far more pragmatic package. The eBox is based on Scion's xB, which means seating for five and interior space that is downright cavernous for its size. Unlike the tzero, AC Propulsion will actually make the eBox available for consumers on a made-to-order basis. The first customer car was delivered this month, to none other than Tom Hanks.

In creating the eBox, AC swaps out the gasoline powertrain for a 160 horsepower electric motor and a unique battery pack comprised of 5,088 lithium-ion cells. The company claims the batteries provide a range of 120 to 150 miles and will fully recharge from a standard electrical outlet in five hours. The 650-pound weight of the batteries help push the total vehicle weight to just above 3,000 pounds, far more than the stock 2,400 pounds. Nevertheless, AC claims a zero to 60 mph acceleration time of less than 7 seconds - quicker than the gasoline-powered xB. The downside? Folks with considerably less capital than, say, Tom Hanks, may find the $55,000 conversion cost (not including the base xB) a bit off-putting.