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Located in Huntington Beach, California, Doran Electric Vehicles has been making EVs since 1988.  They started by building electric scooters, called the EcoScoot, and then sold the brand and have since been building other EVs since.

Their vehicle lineup currently consists of three models: the e-ATV (the world’s first electric ATV), the Doran Electric Car (a kit car in both EV and gasoline versions), and the Chimp (a standup 3-wheeled utility vehicle).

The e-ATV

This is an electric quad (4-wheeler) ATV and it has a lot of bang for the buck.  It’s relatively small, at 550 pounds, but packs a lot of punch with a 650 pound carrying capacity and a 4,000 pound towing capacity.  It’s no-frills design, though, looks kind of boxy as a ’70s plasticine throwback.

A powerful rear-end ratio of 14.76:1 gives this ATV a lot of pull and regenerative brakes give it extra juice.  The batteries are deep-cycle golf cart batteries, so they’re easily replaceable, but stronger and longer-lasting than normal car or motorcycle units.  They sit in a line along the center of the machine, giving it balance.

This electric utility vehicle is limited to 14mph and has a range of about 35 miles, while the higher-end version has a top speed of 18mph and a similar range.  Various tire types are available for different uses of the machine, such as warehouse (thinner tires, better efficiency on concrete) and off road (nobby).

Single-body colors of red, green, yellow, black, olive drab, and tan are available and options of things like lights, turn signals, and extra storage racks are also available for it.  Prices start at about $8,000.

Doran Electric Car

This is sold as a kit car that you put together yourself.  The base (fully detailed) plans can be purchased alone, or an entire kit with everything needed (except tools and batteries) to put it together can be had for more.  The gasoline-powered version is also detailed in the plans.

The Doran Electric Car is a 3-wheeled car with a shape similar to the Aptera, but with more traditional front-end styling (looks much like a 1990s Mazda).  It’s considered a motorcycle.  The options will decide the performance of the car, but expect to get 60-65mph as your top speed and 0-60 in about 10 seconds.  The range is only 20 miles with a basic battery bank, but you can expand it to whatever you’d like.  It weighs about 1,500 on the curb in a basic configuration.

The plans are full-color, printed, at about 100 pages and kits can be purchased with just body parts or with more, as you need.  It’s likely you’ll save a lot off the bottom line by visiting local auto parts stores and junkyards for many of the things you’ll need–especially interior details, wheels, tires, and some of the other heavier components.

The Chimp

This is a “stand-up, rapid response, electric utility vehicle.”  I’m not sure how to get started on this thing.  The name doesn’t fit, since it’s not hairy, has no arms, and there’s nothing in the name that implies an acronymn.  I will say this: the advertising is honest–the Chimp is capable of carrying some serious cargo…like a case of beer!

Before I get too carried away with goofy thoughts on this little EV, I’d better throw out some specs.  It’s top speed is 11mph, it can carry up to 300 pounds (rider and cargo), has about a 30 mile range on flat-paved surfaces, and a small turning radius.  Standard batteries are deep cycle lead-acid, but it can be configured for almost any type and has a versatile on-board 8a charger.  It also has regenerative braking and it’s cargo area has “enough room for 2 twelve packs.”

Need I say more?  It’s bright yellow, waterproof, and has chrome handlebars.  I can see adding some after-market mods to it for even better style.  Maybe some flame decals, ape-hangar handlebars, fuzzy dice..  Prices for this unit start at about $3,000.

All Doran products are available for purchase online, from their site.  They are made in the USA (well, most of their parts are, anyway) and almost entirely recyclable.  Doran looks like a fun American company whose only problem is their dire need of a new Web designer.

Source: DoranEV