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The UN World Climate Change Conference may be focused on emissions control and global warming but green vehicle fans will also be interested in the eRUF Stormster shown at the conference. This all-electric luxury SUV appeared at the conference in Copenhagen as a showcase of vehicles that can stave off further vehicle emissions. The eRUF Stormster is built on a Porsche Cayenne chassis with electric drive parts by Siemens. The German automaker says that the eRUF Stormster is slated for production starting in late 2010.
Siemens is responsible for the EV’s 270kW electric motor that produces enough power to appease traditional drivers. The eRUF Stormster features a lithium-ion battery pack from Li-Tec Battery capable of extending range up to 120 miles per charge. RUF states that the Stormster is capable of reaching speeds up to 93 miles per hour, which means it is capable of traversing back roads and highways. The Stormster is capable of reaching 60 miles per hour from a dead stop within nine seconds. RUF is also bringing its attention to detail to the Stormster with comfortable seating and interior features similar to its other models.
The RUF/Siemens collaboration looks to take the nascent European EV market by storm in the next few years. RUF premiered an all-electric sports car dubbed the Greenster at last March’s Geneva Motor Show to compete with Tesla and Fisker. In addition to the Stormster’s electric motor, Siemens is working with RUF to develop tools for recharging upcoming EVs. The electronics giant has developed an eCar Station that would allow for public charging of the Stormster. Siemens has also created an eCarD reader that would require utility subscribers to slide cards into the eCar Station before charging.
The news emerging from the UN World Climate Change Conference has focused on public skepticism about global warming. Products like the eRUF Stormster are not tied solely to long term changes to global climates. Consumers are moving toward green vehicles because they are concerned about relying too heavily on energy from foreign sources. Even the most skeptical observers of the Copenhagen conference must concede that EVs and hybrids allow natural resources to last longer. The eRUF Stormster and other clean vehicles highlighted on HybridMile are useful to changing the narrative about environmental issues. Instead of focusing on doomsday scenarios about polar ice caps and droughts, eco-conscious consumers need to think about the conservation of natural resources when talking about green vehicles.
