X1 Prototype FAQ

Can I buy one?

• No, not yet. And the production car will be quite different, since it will meet the safety standards, which the prototype does not. It will, however, be at least as quick as the prototype.

Is the X1 a hybrid vehicle?

• No, it’s a pure electric car. It doesn't burn gasoline at all, you plug it in to charge it.

But you say it uses the equivalent of 170 mpg.

• It uses approximately 200 WHr/mile in city driving. The energy content of a gallon of gasoline is 33,705 WHrs. If you divide 33,705 by 200, you get the equivalent of 169 mpg.

What sort of batteries does the X1 use?

• Lithium-ion. That’s the same technology used in cell phones and laptops.

What’s the range of the car before the batteries need recharging?

• The range of the car depends entirely on the style of driving. Under normal city driving conditions the X1 proto can go around 125 miles. Under racing conditions, this might drop to as low as 25 miles before needing to re-charge. The X1 production car will have substantially longer range.

How do you recharge the batteries, and how long does it take to charge them to full capacity?

• You simply plug the car in, just like a laptop or cell phone. The charger is onboard; it just needs a power source. You can use a standard 110-volt outlet, although it will charge faster if you use a 220-volt source. The exact specifications call for anything between 100 – 250V, 50 or 60 Hz, and up to 80 amps, if available.
• It takes about 1.25 hours to fully charge with a 220V, 80A source.

Where will the car be manufactured?

• In Silicon Valley.

How can I invest in Wrightspeed?

• Wrightspeed is still a privately funded company, not listed on any stock exchange. By SEC rules, only accredited investors may invest.

What’s the best thing about driving the X1?

• It’s a toss-up between the interesting people you meet every time you drive the car and the sheer joy of its performance. It’s *really* fast.