Maker Faire Detroit 2010: EcoVElectric low speed electric vehicle

EcoVElectric LSEV – Click above for high-res image gallery

Richard Marks spent twenty-five years as an engineer at General Motors, finishing out his tenure there working on the EV1. Following the demise of that project, he went on to work for some suppliers before setting out to build a low-cost electric vehicle. It's not clear who would win a drag race between Marks' EcoV and Big Dog, but we're guessing those pedaling the taller machine might have more fun.

While the EcoV isn't likely to win any design competitions, it does embody the DIY spirit of Maker Faire. Marks has a partnership with automotive supplier Energy Components Group (ECG) of St. Clair, MI to produce the EcoV starting in early 2011. ECG has a facility in a renewable energy renaissance zone that will be reconfigured to produce this four-seat electric vehicle with a top speed of 25 miles per hour and a range of 25-40 miles. The tubular steel space frame carries a rack full of deep-cycle, sealed lead-acid batteries.