Tech | June 24, 2008 | 45 comments

Th!nk Ox: An electric car with style and smarts

source: http://gas2.org/2008/06/23/thnk-ox-an-electric-car-with-style-and-smarts/

Image
YourMothersMilk
Although an Ox is not what I’d call a particularly stylish or intelligent animal, don’t let the name confuse you — the Th!nk Ox could be about the most attractive and functional electric car ever designed. Before the debate starts over that claim, note the all-important “and” between the words attractive and functional.

Due out in 2010/2011, the Ox is about the size of a Toyota Prius. It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds, travel between 125 and 155 miles on a single charge, and its lithium-ion batteries can be charged to 80% capacity in less than an hour.

Solar panels on its roof power equipment such as the radio, navigation system, instrument panel, and air conditioning — even while parked with the car switched off.

The Ox is fully connected: GPS, mobile internet, a customizable digital dashboard, as well as a whole host of other modern features, all link the driver to his or her surroundings.

In April we wrote about Th!nk’s new North American partnership with venture firms RockPort Capital and Kleiner Perkins. This partnership gave rise to ThInk North America.

It may not seem like a big deal, but Rockport Capital and Kleiner Perkins have an excellent track record when it comes to choosing and investing in winners. Indeed, both firms provided much needed funding to companies such as Amazon and Google when they were mere start-ups.

Not only does Think have the backing of the above venture powerhouses, its first vehicle, the City, is already being sold in Europe for around US $25,000. Think is on track to sell about 10,000 of them there this year.

Written by Nick Chambers
  1. groups:
    Tech,   Green,   Earth and Science,   Gadgets,   1 more
  2. tags:
    Green,  Tech,  Earth and Science,  Environment,  6 more
  3.     
    |

45 comments // Th!nk Ox: An electric car with style and smarts

  • purplefox
    • 0
      purplefox  

    • Wow, great-looking car and the eco-features seem good.

      Butbutbut (i know I'm nitpicking here) why is the only really 'green' promo-shot of the car on their website (also the one pictured above) on a golf course?? About as habitat-destroying an environment as you could get...

    • 3 years ago
  • Amber_LaStrega
    • 0
      Amber_LaStrega  

    • createfreely I agree. I cannot think of an electric car (or hybrid) design that I like.

      My guess it's got something to do with aerodynamics (but that's just a guess).

      Eventually, unless that (design=bleh) changes, I'll have to forego my design sensabilities and do the right thing by our Earth.

    • 3 years ago
  • createfreely
    • 0
      createfreely  

    • Why do all these electric cars have to look so "futuristic"? Why cant they make an electric car that looks more like a mustang than an egg?

    • 3 years ago
  • jubal
  • YourMothersMilk
  • kcfoxie
    • 0
      kcfoxie  
    • jubal:

      I'm frightened by any car that cites Windows XP as its operating system.

      I'd really like to see (and what attracts me to biodiesel) an open source vehicle, from ECM control to the parts used, the whole thing is designed by common people for common people, where anyone with literacy skills to read a manual can repair or upgrade their own car at will.

      If you think that sounds far fetched, how far fetched does a zero-emission, zero-maintenance commercially available fully functional electric sound? I think they're on the same scale of "crazy things we will see in our lifetime."

    • 3 years ago
  • jubal
  • jubal
    • 0
      jubal  
    • Image

    • A while back the Zap car company released its concept for a car, but it made the website look like it was a ready to order thing. It created a stir but then it quickly faded away and what you are left with are tightly governed electric vehicles that aren't allowed to go more than 25 miles an hour. WTFIT?

      I posted this story a while back and was suckered into the excitement.

    • 3 years ago
  • kevung
    • 0
      kevung  

    • this is really great--electric cars are going to be the next big car revolution. At prices this low, its only a matter of time before they are more efficient and economical.

    • 3 years ago
  • 1779fleet
    • 0
      1779fleet  

    • The investors don't lie. New battery technology and soaring gas prices make this a great deal.

      The 80's had microsoft we have alternative energy, alot of money is going to be made here.

      Don't be scared its OK to make money on a good thing.

    • 3 years ago
  • Dmitri_Molotov
  • kcfoxie
    • 0
      kcfoxie  

    • I think this is a move in the right direction but I hate the design. It looks like a Prius for a reason, and it's not the aerodynamics -- I get the same economy with a 2006 Jetta Diesel as the Prius gets due to my aerodynamically designed hood. I personally feel my car is a lot more attractive.

      However, the solar panels are a "well finally" in my book. It's about time. Why Toyota left that out of their car, I don't even know.

      However, how much and how often do the batteries need replacing?

      How well will this work in the winter, when batteries often lose power due to temperature?

      How long will these hold up in the real world?

      Those are the questions that led me back to a diesel. Time tested, veggie oil fuel approved.

    • 3 years ago
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  
    • kcfoxie:

      Those are great questions. I can't wait to see how this stands up against the elements.

      "Veggie oil approved". Nice one. I agree, diesels are proven to be very dependable. And Jetta's get great MPG.

      I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like the lines on this car. I've never been much of a hatchback lover, but I like this ride. It may not be for you, but since it doesn't run on diesel, oil, or any other fluid, I dig that too.

      I can see there are a few in this discussion that would go for one, so their is a market. But you make good points about the battery life, and weather considerations.

    • 3 years ago
  • kcfoxie
    • 0
      kcfoxie  
    • kcfoxie:

      YourMothersMilk -- thanks for the kind words :)

      I do like the fact that is is fuel-less, but that in itself creates a whole new problem. What about the mechanics of this nation -- good and bad -- who fix engines? With an electric it is the ultimate throw-away. Use it till it dies, then replace it. That is what I worry most about, and probably my single biggest complaint against them.

      The cold weather issue is a common complaint/negative to biofuels as a whole. High biodiesel blends freeze into solids, and ethanol has a hard time igniting below I think its 60F at 200 proof (100% pure). Thus the E85 blend, and likely a B80 blend for diesels in most winter climates would work.

      I am not totally against this idea, I am just a critic who is trying to bring some reality into the idea. I don't understand why solar on south facing building wasn't a federally required deal to this day. Solar hot water heaters, at the very least, but nothing is required by the Fed.

      To each their own on design, many hate my bodystyle Jetta and like the older MkIII and MkIV boxy body style Jettas and I did not like those models very much (well I did like the MkIII but we're talking 1993-1998). I am sure that other designs will come out, again, this uses no fuel and if it gets power from the sun to turn the wheels the body design could be as inefficient at coefficient drag as the driver wants and they'd still be spending less money per mile than a gasoline, or even diesel, could do.

    • 3 years ago
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  
    • kcfoxie:

      This isn't a fully solar powered car. The solar energy is only for the internal electronics. This is explained in the article. The infrastructure for such an invention will take time to adjust. That should never be a reason to halt innovation. It's not as though 4 million of these cars are going to hit the road at once. One would be safe to assume that the dealerships themselves will be responsible for the maintenance and warranty on the vehicles. Though a consideration should be given to the recycling of the car once its life cycle is complete. Again, we'll have to wait and see how this turns out. Either way, it's a great step and showcase of new technology that thumbs the nose at the Oil companies.

    • 3 years ago
  • onechance
  • googolplexer
  • covelogibbs
  • lorax3
  • twodee
  • furryjenn
  • Allsunday
    • 0
      Allsunday  

    • Seems like a great car, but why must it be so ugly?! The Think City is much cuter, and much easier to fit into tight parking spaces. But that one doesn't have solar panels. *sigh*

    • 3 years ago
  • Scottishman
    • 0
      Scottishman  

    • You know with all the bull that comes with Car companies saying "free $500 gas card" or 2.99 gas for 3 years and all that other crap - they just need to stop and think that this is not the way people want to go now. This is the future,
      God Bless Electric Power (not oil)
      God Bless Th!nk

    • 3 years ago
  • osiris326
    • 0
      osiris326  

    • Its nice to see more and more companies getting involved, can't wait to see what the next gen. of this car will be capable of. Or what competitors will be able to build to one up this car.

    • 3 years ago
  • stopnoise
    • 0
      stopnoise  

    • Great find "YMM!" I like single vehicle innovations like this! However we should have an alternative. Because of that, I am an advocate for public transportation as well. The only problem is the excessive power that has been given to Public Transportation "Authorities" and they turned around and ruined our Public Transportation here in San Francisco. We barely got out of a Pollution mistake to get right back into another one, Acoustic Pollution.

    • 3 years ago
  • MissAmanda
    • 0
      MissAmanda  

    • i feel like this will be too expensive for the common man...it would be awesome if this sort of technology was harnessed to power (at least partially) public transportation systems like busses or trains...

    • 3 years ago
  • J_Jammer
  • shroomfairy
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  
    • shroomfairy:

      Yeah.. the Tesla Motors car is smokin' for sure. I think it's definitely a step forward in the looks department. Though it's price point will be a bit high I'm afraid. But to quote Ferris Bueller. "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

    • 3 years ago
  • Scottishman
  • mario_a
    • 0
      mario_a  
    • Image

    • Here is an interesting story taken from NPR re: the big three's status in the realm of electric. Very good listen/read.

    • 3 years ago
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  
    • mario_a:

      Good listen indeed. It's nice to hear a discussion about the US car manufacturers intentions in this arena. From the discussion though, It doesn't sound like the US is doing much, and the Japanese have the considerable portion of a growing market share in the states. The Chevy Volt looks like a move toward the market, though one has to wonder what is coming before 2010 (Volt release) from other manufacturers.

      Apparently, the big 3 have their most fuel efficient cars for sale over seas but not here in the US. WTF?

    • 3 years ago
  • Neghie
  • mario_a
    • 0
      mario_a  
    • Image

    • The solar powered electronics idea is an example of some pretty innovative thinking. Even gas-powered cars have no excuse not to use solar in a similar fashion.

      In addition, I truly hope the word gets out about the Ox, because so far all Detroit has on the map is the Chevy Volt, a rather lackluster attempt to go electric. At 40mpg on a single charge, GM's half-assed attempt feels more like an effort to get Americans to say, "Why bother with electric, then?"

      With the Ox on the market, it will provide some excellent pressure on Detroit to really move in this direction.

      photo by johnny_nissan: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnny_n/2070510408/

      used with permission via creative commons

    • 3 years ago
  • YourMothersMilk
  • electricsquiral
  • CarolynGillis
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  

    • I turned in my new Maxima a couple of months back out of protest of the oil companies. I am now using public transportation. It's been a little rough, but I feel it was a great choice, since now I am no longer a part of the oil game. Well.. not as much using PT.

      Since I work for myself, I don't leave home much. I miss driving a car since I love long trips and the highway. I've been from one end of the US to the other. North, South, East, and West. Such a beautiful country we have here.

      It's gonna be great when one of these rides hits the market here. I will pick one up in an instant. I can't wait to hit the highway again and feeling good about myself with every mile. I wouldn't mind stopping for an hour to charge up either. Great way to get to know local people and to see the sights.

      The American car companies better get on the band wagon too, otherwise they are going to be hurting. As will all of their employees. Flex fuel is a joke. Another sham for boosting car sales are gas rebates for 3 years. Such shortsighted thinking.

      Though I am a fan of Water powered vehicles, I like the idea of electric cars too. Now if we can just get someone to come through on a magnetic generator, we'll be set!

    • 3 years ago
  • alpha_nova
    • 0
      alpha_nova  

    • I love that it has a solar panel. And people think Toyota and Honda are ahead of the curve because of hybrid technology. Not! This car kills all of that noise. Looks like I'll have to hold out a little longer until this car gets to the U.S. market.

    • 3 years ago
  • bishopobispo
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  

    • Looks like the EU is going to have about 10k of them this year. Though with the backing this company has, they look to be a contender in the US soon enough.

    • 3 years ago
  • shroomfairy
  • petarro
    • 0
      petarro  

    • This is the way to go for the future. It's a shame the car does not also charge itself while riding or parked with the Roof Solar Panels.

    • 3 years ago
  • YourMothersMilk
    • 0
      YourMothersMilk  
    • petarro:

      That's a good point. One would wonder what happens to the solar energy that could be harnessed when the electronics batteries are fully charged.

      With about an hour to charge this baby, you could have a decent commute to work and charge it up before lunch. And then again for the trip home after work.

      It's great to see these technologies moving forward.

    • 3 years ago
  • YourMothersMilk
more from Tech:
from the community

top videos