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September 6, 2008 2:39:21 AM CDT

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Roadblocks Zap Electric Carmakers' Momentum

Posted Apr 6, 08 3:12 PM CDT in Business,  Technology 

(Newser) – The more than two dozen startups racing to produce viable electric cars face a bumpy road, the Los Angeles Times reports, as they navigate infighting, skyrocketing costs, and lack of mass-production know-how. Meanwhile, a successful car would face serious competition from several major automakers working on innovations of their own. "There are things that (little players) just can't do," says one analyst.

One company has put out 26 press releases in the past year and failed to make any of three promised models; it also faces lawsuits claiming fraud. Another company, finding that production costs doubled retail price, severed relations with suppliers and engineers, sparking more lawsuits. But the California startups keep aiming high. “There's a lot of talk, but it's still vaporware,” the analyst adds.

Source Los Angeles Times

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A small electric car passes other electric vehicles parked at a rally in support of electric vehicles outside the California Environmental Protection Agency in Sacramento, March 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The Mitsubishi Miev electric car is displayed at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, March 20, 2008. Larger companies like Mitsubishi are also getting into the electric-car business.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
A police officer looks over a Tesla electric car parked outside the California Environmental Protection Agency where a rally was held in support of electric vehicles in Sacramento, March 26, 2008.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
A truck from electric car pioneer ZAP.   (AP Photo)
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California  • lawsuit  • environment  • auto industry  • electric cars  • automaker  • Tesla


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