‘World’s fastest production electric vehicle’, Detroit Electric’s SP:01, shows signs of life

By Stephen Edelstein June 19, 2014

Detroit Electric SP:01 test mule — Image used with permission by copyright holder

After flying under the radar for some time, Detroit Electric says its SP:01 electric sports car is nearing production.

Billed as the “world’s fastest production electric vehicle,” the SP:01 is nearing the completion of testing at a European facility.

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Detroit Electric says it’s made a few updates since the car was first shown last year, and it plans to announce production and sales plans in the coming weeks.

That sounds encouraging, but Detroit Electric has struggled to put the SP:01 into production. The company missed its original target date, and now plans to build the SP:01 in Holland not, as originally planned, Detroit.

Like the Tesla Roadster, the SP:01 is based on the Lotus Elise. It’s retained much of the British sports car’s styling, but underneath is an all-electric powertrain consisting of an electric motor that produces 200 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, and a 37-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.

Detroit Electric says the 2,400-pound SP:01 will do 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and reach a top speed of 155 mph. That’s 25 mph faster than a Tesla Model S P85, the current electric speed champion.

Whether anyone will get to experience that performance remains an open question. Starting a car company isn’t easy, and actually selling a Dutch-built, British-designed car under the name “Detroit Electric” might add a bit of extra difficulty.

Detroit Electric is actually one of the oldest names in the automotive business. It started in 1907 and built electric cars for several years before going bust. However, such an esoteric name probably won’t have much meaning for buyers today, especially if the cars aren’t built in Detroit.

So while it’s not dead yet, the SP:01’s fate is far from certain.

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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Stellantis’ 2027 Dodge Charger Daytona might feature solid-state battery tech

Front three quarter view of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona sedan.

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Costco partners with Electric Era to bring back EV charging in the U.S.

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Costco, known for its discount gas stations, has left EV drivers in need of juicing up out in the cold for the past 12 years. But that seems about to change now that the big-box retailer is putting its brand name on a DC fast-charging station in Ridgefield, Washington.
After being one of the early pioneers of EV charging in the 1990s, Costco abandoned the offering in 2012 in the U.S.
While opening just one station may seem like a timid move, the speed at which the station was installed -- just seven weeks -- could indicate big plans going forward.
Besides lightening-speed installation, Electric Era, the Seattle-based company making and installing the charging station, promises to offer “hyper-reliable, battery-backed fast charging technology in grid-constrained locations.”
Its stalls can deliver up to 200 kilowatts and come with built-in battery storage, allowing for lower electricity rates and the ability to remain operational even when power grids go down.
If that sounds like it could very well rival Tesla’s SuperCharger network, it’s no coincidence: Quincy Lee, its CEO, is a former SpaceX engineer.
Costco also seems confident enough in the company to have put its brand name on the EV-charging station. Last year, the wholesaler did open a pilot station in Denver, this time partnering with Electrify America, the largest charging network in the U.S. However, Costco did not put its brand name on it.
In an interview with Green Car Reports, Electric Era said it was still in talks with Costco about the opening of new locations. Last year, Costco said it was planning to install fast chargers at 20 locations, without providing further details. It has maintained EV-charging operations in Canada, the UK, Spain, and South Korea.
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wayve ai automated driving us driver assist2 1920x1152 1

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