Look out, Tesla. An Australian start-up company has revealed that it is hard at work building a prototype electric bakkie, which it hopes to eventually put into production.
According to motoring.com.au, Red Automotive Technologies has started work on its prototype, which is being housed in the shell of an existing bakkie.
The company says the prototype, which will of course sport bespoke EV running gear, will likely be completed within 18 months.
Interestingly, Paul van de Loo, founder and managing director of Red Automotive Technologies, admits that the prototype’s performance won’t be quite as startling as initially planned, thanks to funds drying up. Also, the initial plans seemed to be centred on an electric SUV, while the prototype suggests a move towards a bakkie.
“We will still have a complete electric vehicle prototype. It is a little bit less ambitious. It won’t be out-accelerating supercars, which is what would have happened with what we were going to do originally,” said van de Loo.
“We have had to scale that back a little bit because the development budget was too big for the dollars we have been able to raise. But it will still be impressive. There will still be plenty of wow factor,” he promised.
According to the Australian publication, initial key performance figures included a 250 km/h top speed, a sub-four-second sprint to 100 km/h, a 200 km electric range, and a 1200 km total range thanks to a range extender engine.
“Top speed has come down but the range is non-negotiable. It’s not quite as adventurous as it was going to be,” Van de Loo admitted to motoring.com.au.
Still, van de Loo hopes that the prototype will spark interest from potential investors: “Then we can raise some money to really get into a production version”.
