Fully electric cars come to East Tennessee
Save Email Print
Updated: 4:55 AM Mar 10, 2009
Fully electric cars come to East Tennessee
Knoxville's first all electric cars have hit the road. A West Knoxville car dealer recently started selling cars built by Wildfire Motors of Steubenville, Ohio. All you need to fuel the Chinese-made cars are an electrical outlet.
Posted: 12:20 AM Mar 10, 2009
Reporter: Mike McCarthy
Email Address: mike.mccarthy@wvlt-tv.com
width:320 and height: 240 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159
Font Size:

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Knoxville's first all electric cars have hit the road. A West Knoxville car dealer recently started selling cars built by Wildfire Motors of Steubenville, Ohio. All you need to fuel the Chinese-made cars are an electrical outlet.

Second Chance Finance Auto Sales, soon to known as Wildfire Motors of Knoxville just got two of the cars in stock. Under the hood you'll only find batteries and there is a 120 volt electric plug to charge the car where you would normally find a fuel tank door to pump in gas or diesel.

Car dealer Brian Scarbrough says you hook into any electrical socket, but the cars aren't meant to take you everywhere around town.

"I think it's the car of the future," Scarbrough said.

According to the dealer, Wildfire Motors models are the city's first all electric cars.

Volunteer TV's test ride was a little bumpy.

"It's a little rough,” said Scarbrough, “but it’s electric and it's fine."

The cars fully charge in about three hours. That'll get you about 70 miles worth of road. You can also hit the road on your spare change.

Scarbrough said you drive a mile for a penny, meaning if drive 5,000 miles each year, that means only about $50 in electricity costs.

"I would think about it absolutely because you can just travel less," drive Ruth Simmons said.

Wildfire Motors information says the cars' speed is set at 25 miles per hour, but they can be programmed for higher speeds.

"The speedometers are set for 60, but they go up to 70 miles an hour," Scarbrough said, adding that the recommended top speed is about 45 miles per hour.

"I wouldn't feel comfortable on the interstate in one of those," said driver Barbara Bell.

The model isn’t designed for the highway and the cars don't even have airbags.

"I don't know how safe they are. They are regulated to drive on the road, but I don't know how safe. I wouldn't want to get hit in it," Scarbrough said.

The Manufactures Suggested Retail Price is $14,618 and $15,325.

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the electric cars are classified as low speed vehicles, allowing them to get around federal safety requirements for typical cars.

The Tennessee Department of Safety says they cars are street-legal.

For more information, click the link below.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Concerned Location: Citizen on Mar 27, 2009 at 02:34 PM

FYI... These vehicles are classified in the State of TN as Medium Speed Vehicles (MSV). They are ILLEGAL to drive over 35mph and can NOT drive on roads with a posted speed limit of more than 40mph. It is beyond dishonest to say that these cars are recommended to go 45mph and can go 70mph, as that is ILLEGAL in every state of the country! Buyers beware!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 10, 2009 at 12:41 PM

The tech has come a long way but far from being a reliable mode of transportation. The price of the vehicle is not quite worth the gain. I think in the next few years we will see a greater leap in the tech, thus making the cars more reliable, cheaper, and more usefull by giving it a greater range. But on a positive note, the all electric trade has to start some where...
Posted by: for everything else Location: there is Mastercard on Mar 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM

"I don't know how safe they are. They are regulated to drive on the road, but I don't know how safe. I wouldn't want to get hit in it," Scarbrough said. An honest salesman? This guy should run for county commission?
Currently
Local Radar
Radar