Wheego LiFe

{{Infobox automobile

|image=LiFe Silver77Large (cropped).jpg

|manufacturer={{ubl|Wheego Technologies|Shuanghuan Auto}}

|production=2011–2013

|assembly={{ubl|Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China|Corona, California, United States}}

|body_style=2-door hatchback

|platform=Shuanghuan Noble

|motor=Electric motor ({{convert|45|kW|hp|abbr=on}})

|battery=Battery (30 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery)

|range={{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}}

|wheelbase={{convert|2,025|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|length={{convert|3,010|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|width={{convert|1,605|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|height={{convert|1,600|mm|in|abbr=on}}

|weight={{convert|1,210|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

}}

The Wheego LiFe was an electric city car produced by American automobile manufacturer Wheego Technologies.

The LiFe was based on the bodyshell of the Shuanghuan Noble produced in China with its electric drivetrain assembled in the United States.[https://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/11/rtev-and-shuang.html "RTEV and Shuanghuan Automobile Form EV Partnership"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504041738/https://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/11/rtev-and-shuang.html|date=2022-05-04}}. Green Car Congress. 2008-11-20. The Wheego LiFe was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and was sold in the United States at a price of US$32,995 before any applicable tax credits and other incentives.[https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/genesis-x-concept-ev-previews-electric-future.html "Wheego Debuts $32,995 Whip LiFe EV, Says Customer Deliveries to Start in Weeks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302153521/https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/genesis-x-concept-ev-previews-electric-future.html |date=2022-03-02 }}. Edmunds.com. 2010-11-18.Voelcker, John. "[https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1099783_wheego-electric-cars-fade-from-market-china-is-the-future-company-says Wheego Electric Cars Fade From Market; China Is The Future, Company Says] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926054128/https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1099783_wheego-electric-cars-fade-from-market-china-is-the-future-company-says |date=2022-09-26 }}". Green Car Reports. The Wheego LiFe was built with a 30 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack and had an all-electric range of {{convert|100|mi|km}}."[http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/wheego-now-accepting-pre-orders-for-32-995-life-electric-car/ Wheego now accepting pre-orders for $32,995 LiFe electric car"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027065431/http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/15/wheego-now-accepting-pre-orders-for-32-995-life-electric-car/ |date=2020-10-27 }}. AutoblogGreen. 2010-06-15. The first delivery took place in April 2011 to a customer in Atlanta.Blanco, Sebastian. "[http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/22/wheego-delivers-first-life-vehicle-earth-day/ Wheego delivers first LiFe vehicle in time for Earth Day] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030114243/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/04/22/wheego-delivers-first-life-vehicle-earth-day/ |date=2020-10-30 }}". AutoblogGreen. A total of approximately 100 LiFes and 300 Whips were sold through 2013, when production ceased.LeSage, Jon (2016-10-24). "[http://www.hybridcars.com/wheego-now-autonomous-electric-tech-company-not-an-automaker/ Wheego Now Autonomous Electric Tech Company, Not An Automaker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301201840/https://www.hybridcars.com/wheego-now-autonomous-electric-tech-company-not-an-automaker/ |date=2021-03-01 }}". HybridCARS.

History

Wheego Electric Cars Inc. was formed as a spin out from RTEV (Ruff & Tuff Electric Vehicles) in June 2009 and its first automobile was a two-seat compact car under the Wheego Whip name in North America and marketed by Shuanghuan Auto in China as the E-Noble, its brand name for the rest of the world. In the U.S. it was to be launched in August 2009 as a low-speed vehicle with a top speed of {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} or as a Medium Speed Vehicle with a maximum speed of {{convert|35|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, depending on local state regulations. These versions used dry cell sealed AGM lead–acid batteries, with an all-electric range of {{convert|50|mi|km}} on a single charge, and capable of recharging on any standard household 110 or 220-volt electrical outlet.

Production and sales

The 2011 Wheego LiFe production model used a 30 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack, could reach speeds up to {{convert|65|mph|km/h}} and Wheego Electric Cars claimed that it had an all-electric range of {{convert|100|mi|km}}. The chassis was the same as the Shuanghuan Noble, which once imported from China was reinforced for safety in the U.S. assembly plant to pass U.S. crash-testing. Final assembly took place in Corona, California. Around 73% of the vehicle was composed of American products giving it a high domestic content rating.

The first Wheego LiFe was delivered to a customer in Atlanta, Georgia on April 22 (Earth Day), 2011. As of March 2012, the company had manufactured 36 cars since April 2011, and only two cars were left in inventory. Wheego's business strategy was to build the cars only when the company gets money from sales or through venture capital. About 400 units were sold through 2013, when production ended.

According to the tech person at Wheego there was less than 100 LiFe's produced.

Specifications

The 2011 Wheego LiFe had the following specifications:Wheego. "[http://wheego.net/more/vehicles/specs/ 2011 Wheego LiFe Technical Specifications] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104448/http://wheego.net/more/vehicles/specs/ |date=2021-05-17 }}". Wheego.net.

Battery: 30 kWh (36 3.2 V cells at 260 Ah) lithium iron phosphate battery pack.
Motor: Nominal {{convert|15|kW|hp|abbr=on}}, peak horsepower {{convert|45|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
Range: {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}}
Torque: 95 lb⋅ft (129 N⋅m)
Charge capable: 120 V and 240 V
Charging time: From 50% SoC to 100% Soc 5 hours with Level 2 charging system
On-board charge port: J1772 compliant
Top speed: {{convert|65|mph|km/h}} at 8,500 rpm

Wheego LiFe

History

Production and sales

Specifications

Reception

References

Further reading