Detroit Electric EV

Dutch-based EV start up Detroit Electric has announced 

that, by the end of next year, it plans to produce a range 

of affordable electric cars that are much more 

powerful than existing models and have zero emissions.

The company is in talks with Proton, the national 

Malaysian car-maker to produce the cars at their 

facilities in South East Asia. It is also in negotiations 

with two other, as yet unnamed, auto manufacturers 

from Germany and the U.S.

Speaking at a prototype viewing at the Proton test 

circuit in Malaysia, Detroit Electric’s Chief Executive,

Albert Lam said, “We believe in affordable electric 

vehicles for the public.

That is our dream … to find innovative ways to 

counter global warming.”

The cars, a sportscar, a sedan and a subcompact car, 

will feature a li-ion battery with a range of 200 miles 

on a single 7-8 hour charge and a total life span of 

125,000 miles. They will also contain electric motor 

technology produced in-house. According to Chief 

Scientist Frits van Breemen-Schneider, the motor 

is 4 to 12 times lighter than exisiting designs, 

giving it a superior power-to-weight ratio. 

This means that it can produce 5kw of power per 

kilogram, whereas the best electric car in existence 

can only currently produce 0.25 kw per kilogram.

The sports car is capable of accelerating from 

0-100km/h ( 0-60mph) in less than 5 seconds, 

comparable to similar gasoline powered offerings. 

Although existing models were used at the test circuit 

event (the sports car was based on a Lotus), the 

company intend to create their own designs and 

market the cars under the Detroit Electric brand.

The venture aims to produce around 30,000 vehicles 

worldwide in the first year, at an estimated price of 

$24,000. This figure is projected to rise to 270,000 

units annually by the end of the third year.

Speaking about the lack of an EV charging infrastructure, 

Lam acknowledged that setting up adequate battery 

charging facilities would be a challenge. However, 

he maintained that it could be done, at least in Malaysia, 

because of government backing, adding, “It is about 

conviction. If you’re an early adapter, there will be some

inconveniences, but I’m sure that in two to three years 

there will be a comprehensive infrastructure for fast 

charging.” Detroit electric will join a growing number 

of car-makers planning to sell electric cars over the 

next few years, including global brands like BMW-Mini, 

Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Mercedes, as well as

new start-ups and independent companies such as Tesla 

and Th!nk.

Written by Andrew Williams