Zap-X electric car recharges in as little as ten minutes

While I understand that new electric cars must look like conventional ones to give new buyers a soothing sense that they are getting a car that will function as well as any other (and not some freakazoid chunk of machinery that'll as soon tip over as go straight), it's always somewhat depressing to see some new electric car hardware that does, well, look just like a conventional one. Especially with such a lovely name as the Zap-X! Modern car styling has us all looking like we're driving enormous single running shoes and surely the electrics could bring us some new style alongside their chic new tech? But enough of that - on to the things that make the Zap-X eye-popping: extra engines, super-quick charging batteries with long life, and a body from space.

The Zap-X architecture is lightweight aluminum, meaning what energy it does need isn't being wasted carting around a fat carapace. Engines built-in to each wheel give it incredible horsepower and acceleration: 644 horses and up to 155mph (in the ballpark of 250kph). It can go over 500km between charges, and its "rapid-change" system allows you to refill it in as little as ten minutes. With brains like that, who needs sex appeal? (Alas.) [GT]

Zap-X [via Red Ferret]

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