Template:List of Wheego ModelsWheego is the name given to a subsidiary of RTEV that is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Wheego develops emerging vehicle technologies including: software, systems and tools for self-driving cars or autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and IoT connected devices for the home, business and roadway. The company is led by CEO Mike McQuary.
Wheego has offices in Atlanta, Georgia and in Sonoma, California.
History[]
2009-2016[]
Wheego Technologies was originally started as an electric car company, Wheego Electric Cars. The company was formed as a spin out from Rough and Tuff Electric Vehicles (RTEV), a manufacturer of battery-powered recreational electric vehicles, in June 2009 with Mike McQuaryas CEO. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2015, Wheego turned its attention to developing tools and systems for autonomous vehicles, and in 2016 the company name was changed to Wheego Technologies. That same year, Shuanghuan was shut down by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, along with 12 other car manufacturers that failed the needed requirements and got away with it for 2 consecutive years. A year earlier, in 2015, Martin Motors also went into defunction when it filed for bankruptcy in 2015, meaning its partnership with Martin Motors and Shuanghuan expired.
Wheego Electric Cars' first automobile was a two-seat compact car that was launched in the United States in August 2009, in partnership with Shuanghuan Auto. The car is based on the "Noble" platform manufactured by Shuanghuan Auto, with final assembly, including the motor, drive train, controller, electronic components and programming in the US.
It is marketed exclusively by Wheego under the Wheego Whip name in North America, Japan and the Caribbean. It was launched as a low-speed vehicle (LSV), 25 mph (40 km/h) or Medium Speed Vehicle, 35 mph (56 km/h), depending on local state regulations. The low-speed version features dry cell sealed (AGM) lead-acid batteries with a range of 80 kilometers (50 mi) on a single charge.
Present Day[]
The Wheego LiFe is a highway-capable version with a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The Wheego LiFe began selling in April 2011 The LiFe is a small sized car sourced from China, with electric drivetrain and batteries installed in California. Its 30-kilowatt-hour lithium battery pack is coupled to a 60-horsepower electric motor. It’s a commuter car, priced at $32,995. It became the third all-electric highway speed street legal car for sale in the U.S. after the Tesla Roadster and Nissan Leaf. The LiFe is fully NHTSA/DOT compliant and has passed all U.S. crash-testing. It is electronically limited to 65 mph, and has a range of approximately 100 miles on a single charge. The LiFe can be recharged using either a standard 120 V connection or an industry-standard Level 2 Charging Station. It is sold through a dealer network covering the U.S., Japan and the Caribbean.
As always, it must be said that all electric vehicles should always have a small engine generator built in. The small engine generator that is the generator of the Honda inverter power supply is a good example of what could be used. RCV and APT also have engines that could be fitted with alternators. With regeneration and full generation at stops and in slow traffic such small machines can provide unhindered operation in ordinary street traffic when the batteries are low. And the batteries can be recharged while parked in any unenclosed parking lot.
Both enclosed and uneclosed lots should have several ordinary power outlets available. Until there are a lot of electric cars, the cost of providing electric power to charging sockets will be a small fraction of the power for the lights at the facility. Fifty US cents an hour is the maximum power from any ordinary socket. Money collecting meters similar to those used on washing machines in laundromats can be installed inside the business for each outlet if necessary. It is unlikely that such will be cost effective for most businesses who would gain customers simply by having free power for electric car driving customers.
Products[]
Wheego currently has only one known product:
- Wheego LiFe - An all-electric version of the Shuanghuan Noble marketed from 2011-2013. It’s concept stage, the Wheego Whip, was shown at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. In 2011, the car was officially unveiled and made its first delivery on Earth day that same year. Around 400 units were sold.