Electric cars haven’t really become part of the mainstream, although with rising gas prices, these plug-in vehicles may just be what everyone needs. An electric car is one thing, but a battery electric microcar is another. It’s a totally different class that does not only look differently, but also feel way different once you’re already inside. On the other hand, if you’re looking to cut your gas bills without by buying a car, without sacrificing style, then you need to check out a Corbin Sparrow.
Basically, this car looks more like a trike rather than a car, because it has three wheels instead of four. Although it isn’t a huge presence when on the road, you’re sure to make a lot of heads turn, because of its unique design and small size.
When it comes to specs, the Corbin Sparrow is powered by a 20kw, 156-volt DC battery that can reach a maximum of 40 miles. The great thing about it is that you can recharge it by simply plugging it through a 220-volt outlet. You only need to keep it plugged for six hours and you’re ready to start making your presence felt out there.
Unlike other electric cars out there, the Corbin Sparrow can go as fast as 112 km/h, with a fuel efficiency that is pegged at 162 MPG. That means that for every gallon of fuel, the Corbin Sparrow can stretch that to at least 162 miles. Not pretty bad, especially if you hate doling out gas money all the time. The Corbin Sparrow is far from a super-performance vehicle, but it can surely give you the extra punch when it comes to energy consumption.
The Corbin Sparrow is an eye-catching piece on the road and that’s because it looks like a massive shoe with three wheels on it. If you want to push your imagination further, it may even resemble a roller skate out there. Whatever it may look like, it’s guaranteed to make a lot of people stare at it, because it’s not everyday that a car like this is brought to the road.
Meanwhile, the Corbin Sparrow started back in 1996 and the year after that, production started. Unfortunately, only 300 Corbin Sparrows were made and because of the difficulty of selling these electric cars, Corbin Motors filed for bankruptcy. Fortunately, businessman Dana Myers bought the Corbin Sparrow in 2004 and began producing it once again, while giving it a new name - MM NmG. Despite of the new name, the original Corbin Sparrow design stuck and it’s still called by its original name up to this point.
The Corbin Sparrow may not look a lot but it only costs 29,995 USD each or roughly 30 grand. That’s not much, considering how other SUVs or AUVs cost these days, not to mention the amount of fuel they consume day in and day out. Basically, a Corbin Sparrow does not have enough of cargo space for you to use as well. Also, it only allows a maximum of three passengers to get inside at the same time. Despite of these, it’s definitely perfect for your easy driving needs, especially with its plug-in feature. You only need to plug it in one of your electric outlets for several hours and you’ll be alright.
The Corbin Sparrow has several accessories that can accompany you during your drives. These are a cigarette lighter outlet, radio/CD player, fan, heater, and a mini-television. Although that’s pretty basic, you really can’t expect much from a car that weighs only 612-kilograms, while having a width of only 48-inches.
