Rolls Royce electric?

Jackie Cross, Associate Editor

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed the development of the 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered vehicle that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1. The car will tour during 2011, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data that will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce (see the figure).

The 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), will be the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment, and Rolls-Royce plans to use it to test the opinions and reactions to alternative drive-train options of a range of stakeholders including owners, enthusiasts, members of the public, and media.

The car will serve as a working test bed for a global tour that takes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Through test drives, owners will be given the opportunity to experience an alternative drive-train technology and to provide their experiences, thoughts, and concerns directly to Rolls-Royce.

While there are no plans to develop a production version, as one of the company’s EX models, it will serve to begin a dialogue with existing owners and stakeholders, posing as well as answering questions of its audience, which include the car’s ability to deliver an acceptable range between recharges and to operate in extreme weather conditions.
Rolls-Royce has created a Web site, www.electricluxury.com, to serve as a portal to fuel a wider global debate seeking views on the question of electric luxury from media, VIPs, and stakeholders. The site will also deliver regular updates of the car’s progress while on tour.
Rolls-Royce Motor Company
www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/