| Company: | Think |  |
| Brands: | Think City, Ox, Open | |
| Pricing: | 27k to 34k, (20k-25k Eu) | |
| Range: | 111 miles on one charge | |
| Speed: | 62+ mph | |
| Batteries: | Sodium or Lithium Ion |
Think was originally owned and developed in part by Ford. In 2006, a group of Norwegian Developers bought Think and put the car into serial production. With a current output of 5,000 vehicles annually, this is soon expected to double to 10,000 cars in 2009. Lean manufacturing techniques allow Think to mass produce quality electric vehicles. With a car that is now 95% recyclable and has zero emissions, Think may indeed be the car for the 21st century. With industrial giants like GE forming strategic partnerships with Think, the company isn’t about to fold from lack of funds.
Off the shelf, the TH!NK city features three battery options, two different lithium-based (Li) systems and one sodium battery system. A unique “Battery pack rental system” answers the question of “what do you do when the batteries stop working?”. A monthly fee covers maintenance, insurance, and even battery replacement when necessary. Now that’s peace of mind. The Think OX is a concept car featuring dual battery compartments, allowing more passenger room and low profile designs for sportier models.
| Standard equipment | Extra equipment |
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Opinions: I really like this car. Obviously I’d have to test drive one to see how it performs during highway conditions, but 60 mph is plenty of speed for my daily travels. Its safe, relatively cheap, and environmentally sound. The only question becomes “What else is out there?”. Since production is carried out in Norway, the exchange rate for this car at the time of writing this article kept the price high. This could be an issue down the road, if the US government subsidizes US electric cars produced domestically. So add this to the Chrysler and Chevy cars to seriously consider purchasing.
10 Comments Received
October 5th, 2008 @5:30 am
I’m trying to figure out what regenerative brakes are. I’m sorry, but My first reaction was to let out a small laugh. It just looks so cute. I don’t know if I could handle being seen in a car this cute, But it might look more viscous up close. I doubt it, but it might. I do like having the Battery options.
Beamer
October 5th, 2008 @3:32 pm
Regenerative breaks act like a flywheel that captures the energy as the car slows down and then returns it to the system somehow. Either in the fomr up helping to recharge the battery, spinning the motor, or whatever. It does look a bit small, make they can make an inflatable skin for people who like to drive giant SUV’s that take up the road..
October 6th, 2008 @3:51 am
I would love to buy a small Think for city-travelling but the price I find here in Norway is $54k. We have a lot of environmental-taxes and I find it ironic that we have to pay a lot of tax because of the batteries. Because we have to pay for the later safe-destruction of the batteries. Isn’t ironic? Its like our government don’t want us to buy environmental-friendly cars.
October 6th, 2008 @3:00 pm
Øyvind: That’s surprising that a Norwegian company would face such rules in Norway. Does Norway also make gasoline powered cars? No brands come to mind. Googling the topic lead me to Kewet, Think Nordic, and Troll. All names I never heard before.
October 6th, 2008 @9:14 pm
I really like this car, though I do wish the design was less boxy. I like the size of it and even the standard features… then again, I don’t know if I could stand only being able to go 60kms/h… I’m too much of a speed monger!
October 7th, 2008 @12:32 am
the car is looking awesome cool … small n sexy
but i cant just hv a look on it LIVE as it wont b available in my surroundings
heard of this company first time … seems to b very new one .. will hv a look on the company website.
October 8th, 2008 @12:47 am
The THINK city is the world’s only crash tested and highway certified electric car. For the uninitiated, the Think is able to travel up to 110 miles without the need to recharge its batteries, hitting a top speed of 65mph and is 95% recyclable. Two venture capital firms have already been targeted by Think to build the cars in Southern California. A tiny electric car, built-to-order through an online site, which comes with an Internet connection and the ability to sell power back to the grid.
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Alice
October 8th, 2008 @9:09 am
Hi Turnip, we only produce battery driven cars. Troll is an ancient project I think.
Fragile I think it runs more that 60 km/h, I think its mph!
I meet a lot of them on my way to work, and I swear they drive in 90 km/h.
October 16th, 2008 @8:48 am
Think is awesome and looks fantastic. I am just thinking my present vehicle fuel efficiency when compared to this. Roughly I may save $2000 a year.
November 9th, 2008 @1:06 pm
I wish I could afford one of these…wonder if it would get around well in the midwest?
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