Venturi Eclectic Battery & Solar EV

Venturi Automobiles, the Monaco-based manufacturer of the groundbreaking Fetish electric sports car , has now developed a more down-to-earth electric vehicle called the Eclectic. While well-grounded as a more functional vehicle for the masses – or at least those whose needs can be served by a low-speed community transportation – the Eclectic still manages to set the bar for its use of diverse sustainable energy sources.

This community electric vehicle uses nickel-metal-hydride batteries that can be recharged in four ways – off the electrical grid using an on-board charger, through regenerative braking, via roof-mounted solar panels, and with a wind turbine. That represents three more charging options than most other low-speed electric vehicles on the market today.

This Eclectic features a 22 horsepower electric motor to give this futuristic low-speed electric vehicle a top speed of just over 30 mph and a range of 30 miles between charges. Of course, since federal regulations set 25 mpg as the top speed for officially sanctioned neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) on U.S. roads, the Eclectic won’t slide in under these more relaxed rules. However, we can only imagine the ease at which the vehicle can be electronically governed to a top speed of 25 mph to meet the letter of the NEV law.

Some 27 square feet of solar cells are located on the translucent roof. Over the course of a day, these cells direct about four miles worth of power to the batteries. The wind turbine can contribute nine miles per day in suitably windy areas.

Venturi has begun production of the first 20 pre-series Eclectics. A larger production run of 200 white vehicles is planned starting in June 2007 with a price tag of $30,500. If they prove popular, a less expensive version priced around $19,000 is planned for initial production in 2009. Part of the lower cost would come through volume production. While the current Venturi Eclectic seats three, a single-seat utilitarian could also be offered.