Remember earlier today when I said that Jeep was showing the only non-GM range extended electric vehicle at the Detroit show….well, I was only half right. Fisker, a high performance auto manufacturer just unveiled their first production car, a plug-in hybrid called the “Karma.” The car can run 50 miles on pure electric power, and only then switches over to become a regular hybrid.

So while it's not technically a REEV (because the internal combustion engine powers the wheels in addition to the electric motors), it does have an extended, all-electric range, which gives you the same advantages of an REEV. That advantage, in particular, is the car's ability to be a zero-emissions vehicle on most short trips.

The difference is that, because there are two drivetrains, the car is of course going to be expensive, around $80,000. Of course, Fisker was never going to make cheap cars. It’s not just the hybrid drive that keeps the cost high. It’s also the solar panels on the roof, the limited edition styling, 6-second zero to sixty time and the 125 mph top speed.

Fisker hopes to sell more than 10,000 Karmas per year following their Q4 2009 launch of vehicle sales. However, if the record of high-end EV maker Tesla is any indication, their goals may be a bit optimistic.

Comments (10)

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written by Jessica , January 14, 2008

Hank, if you were going to buy a car right now, which didn't need to be used for much more than commuting and didn't run on something really difficult to get, what would you buy?

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written by bandung , January 14, 2008

a car for $80 grands is much expensive

Car
written by Foto , January 15, 2008

Great car for great money ;-).

That is an awesome looking car!
written by Eric Dewhirst , January 16, 2008

I love the lines of this car - yes 80K is expensive - however it is an exotic and perhaps it can find its niche. I get excited when elegant designs like this start showing up for EV's and EV hybrids.

Cheers - Eric

Karma?
written by Matt , January 17, 2008

Sure, buy this car if you want to buy good karma with a hybrid. But if you are going to do that, why not invoke some change. Try the Tesla Roadster. It may be 20 grand more, but what is the difference between $80k and $100k. It is a PURE EV with a range of over 200 miles and goes 0-60 in 4 sec. Much better way to spend your money if I says so.

Tesla Roadster - yes - sweet as well
written by Eric Dewhirst , January 19, 2008

@ Matt

I agree the Tesla Roadster is hot and worth the extra 20k if you have it. I guess my thing is the more I see sweet looking EV's and EV-hybrids the more excited I get.

Cheers - Eric
http://www.pickuppal.com

Fisker...???
written by Diana , January 29, 2008

oh my God...this car is very expensive but the car is of course going to be sexy's car.

I like this!
written by Azeron , March 22, 2008

I am a huge Tesla fan, but this car has a solar panel option. I think Tesla should jump on that idea.

the best looking by far
written by Jerry , March 29, 2008

I like the look of this much better than Tesla. Also the solar panel thing is an idea whose time has come.

green glow grow
written by Jerry , March 29, 2008

Instead of just baking the paint off, some of that solar energy can go into the battery. Kudos!

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