Wheego Whip
{{Infobox electric vehicle
| name = Wheego Whip
| image = Wheego Whip all electric WAS 2010 9052.JPG
| caption = Wheego Whip at the 2010 Washington Auto Show
| manufacturer = Shuanghuan Auto
and Wheego Technologies
| aka = Shuanghuan E-Noble
| production = 2011–2013
| model_years =
| assembly = Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| class =
| body_style = 2-door hatchback
| layout =
| platform =
| motor = {{convert|17.5|hp|kW|disp=flip|abbr=on}}
| battery = 16.32 kWh dry cell lead-acid
| range = {{convert|40|mi|km|abbr=on}}
| wheelbase = {{convert|2025|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3010|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1605|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1600|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|2667|lb|kg|disp=flip|abbr=on}}
| sp = us
| related = Shuanghuan Noble
}}
The Wheego Whip was an electric city car produced by American automobile manufacturer Wheego Technologies. It was a low-speed vehicle with a top speed of 25 mph (40 km/h) or as a medium-speed vehicle with a maximum speed of 35 mph (56 km/h), depending on local state regulations. The Whip was based on the bodyshell of the Shuanghuan Noble produced in China, where it was sold as the Shuanghuan E-Noble.{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/11/rtev-and-shuang.html|title=RTEV and Shuanghuan Automobile Form EV Partnership |publisher=Green Car Congress|date=2008-11-20|accessdate=2010-06-17}} The Whip and a highway-capable version, the Wheego LiFe, were produced from 2011 to 2013, with a total of approximately 300 units being completed when production ceased.
History
Wheego Electric Cars Inc. was formed as a spin out from RTEV (Ruff & Tuff Electric Vehicles) in June 2009, having formed a partnership with Chinese car manufacturer Shuanghuan Auto, with the Whip as its first automobile. It was based on the Shuanghuan Noble, a two-seat city car produced by Shuanghuan since 2004 controversial for its similarity to the Smart Fortwo. In the United States it was to be launched in August 2009 as a low-speed vehicle with a top speed of {{Convert|25|mph|abbr=on}} or as a Medium Speed Vehicle with a maximum speed of {{Convert|35|mph|abbr=on}}, depending on local state regulations. These versions used dry cell sealed AGM lead–acid batteries, with an all-electric range of {{convert|80|km|mi}} on a single charge, and capable of recharging on any standard household 110 or 220-volt electrical outlet. The bodyshell was produced by Shuanghuan in China was then fitted with the electric drivetrain. The vehicle was marketed under the Wheego Whip name in North America and the Shuanghuan E-Noble in the rest of the world.
Production and sales
File:2011-2013 Wheego Whip Front.png
{{As of|2012|03}}, Wheego 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/eco-nomics/2012/03/14/can-tiny-wheego-company-win-the-electric-car-race/|title=Can The Tiny Wheego Win The Electric Car Race?|author=Jim Motavalli|work=Forbes|date=2012-03-14|accessdate=2012-03-22}} About 400 units were sold through 2013, of which 300 were completed when production ended.{{cite news |url=http://www.hybridcars.com/wheego-now-autonomous-electric-tech-company-not-an-automaker/ |title=Wheego Now Autonomous Electric Tech Company, Not An Automaker |first=Jon |last=LeSage |work=HybridCARS |date=2016-10-24 |accessdate=2016-11-01}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Wheego Vehicles}}
- [http://wheego.net/more/ Wheego Technologies website]