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by Michael Hines
These roadsters need to be plugged in and fully charged before you can take them for a spin on Sundays.
There's nothing quite like the feeling you get when you're behind the wheel of a roadster with the top down. There's just something about driving a two-seat convertible that feels so pure and right. Almost all of the roadsters in production today are petrol-powered, but these concepts indicate a shift towards a greener method of propulsion. These electric roadster concepts also represent a big step in the evolution of the EV. Most EVs today are designed as boring hatchbacks or sedans, but these concepts buck that trend in a big way.
Plus E is unlike many electric roadsters in a lot of ways. One big way this model differs from its contemporaries is with its retro styling. Another big thing that separates the Morgan Plus E is its manual transmission. Powering this concept is a Zytek electric motor producing 70kW (94bhp) and 221 lb-ft of torque.
It shouldn't surprise anyone that Dartz is behind this windowless electric roadster known as the Jo-Mojo. The ridiculously named concept has an 80hp electric engine that can be charged using the solar panels that are on its retractable roof. Unfortunately for Arab sheiks and Colombian drug lords this concept is not bulletproof.
The Saba Motors Carbon Zero is a little roadster with a no nonsense name. This pint-sized convertible is lightweight, weighing in at 1,900 pounds. This slim construction is what helps the Carbon Zero increase its range (120 to 140 miles max) and its 0 to 60 time (somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 seconds).
celebrated its 200th birthday by creating the EX1 electric roadster pictured here. This concept was made by Peugeot and has a 340hp electric engine that channels power to all four wheels. The EX1 is sexy and speedy, but Peugeot unfortunately has no plans to put it into production.
Nothing is more awesome in an EV sense than a car that looks good and has an outstanding range. The Mitsuoka Himiko roadster's retro styling is stunning and elegant, and its maximum range is 341.8 miles. Your move, Chevy Volt/Nissan