Fast Times in a Mustang 300E Electric Musclecar

A battery powered musclecar? Yeah, it sounds like oxymoron, but San Diego, Calif.-based Ronaele, Inc. doesn't think so. The company showed its electric version of a musclecar at the recent EV23 in Southern California. The bright orange Mustang 300E drew lots of attention and some orders. It also helped put to rest some performance car fans' fears that "driving green means driving without tire squealing performance."

Ronaele builds the Ronaele 350 hp, 450 hp, and 550 hp High Performance Mustangs. For the all-electric Mustang 300E, Ronaele purchases new Mustangs and strips out the engine and other components associated with the internal combustion engine. A 300 horsepower, modified forklift electric motor replaces the transmission. Either lithium-ion or lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs sourced from K2 Energy Solutions replace the fuel tanks with little compromise in trunk space. Aluminum boxes housing the power electronics go under the hood. Most importantly, overall weight is retained.

With 1000 lbs-ft of torque available from 0 rpm, the 300E can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under four seconds. Top speed is 130 mph and, driven conservatively, the range is said to be 100-125 miles. Charging is done via a plug where the fuel filter once resided and takes 3