Rolls-Royce Phantom EV in the pipeline
September 24, 2009 by Matt Brogan
An unnamed Rolls-Royce company executive has told reporters the luxury manufacturer is planning to build an electric version of its Phantom saloon.
And while the notion of a Phantom EV may seem a little queer, the usual issues associated with electric vehicles – reduced range, extra weight and increased price – would hardly be an issue in a car that is primarily used around town, already features a heavy V12 and costs around half-a-million dollars, leaving the proposition not nearly as far fetched as it seems.
With electric motors and lithium-ion batteries being available almost off the shelf, possibly from parent company BMW, costs may even be cheaper than that of the Phantom’s currently hand-built twelve-cylinder power plant.
Strong on torque, electric motors would also fit well with the Rolls-Royce driving experience while their silent operation would no doubt also suit the demands of VIP passengers.
With no word on timing the Phantom EV is most likely still a few years away, but it’s an interesting idea all the same, and one that is sure to challenge the mindset of brand purists.
CarAdvice will keep you posted on any developments.
Print it: 
I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one, if I was in the market for a car like that.
Me too…
This is one of the few applications of which EV would actually work.
Theme : Addressing Range Anxieties.
1. The range of noticeable EVs are sufficient to meet the daily driving needs of more than 95% of drivers ((The vast majority of people (95%) drive less than 100/km a day, 82% of the respondents said they drive 40 miles or less a day, with an average daily driving distance of 27 miles.)).
As for long trip needs, all but Americans and many of developed nations have existing automobiles, in this regard, EVs are best suited to their daily use until the infrastructure comes into wide use. And people are already doing that.
2. The on-board IT system shows the driving radius on a maximum range display under the current state of charge and calculates if the vehicle is within range of a pre-set destination. And the navigation system points out the latest information on available charging stations within the current driving range.
3. In 21st century, home, workplace, or stores etc also serve as a charge station as electricity is everywhere. With a long extension code inside, just in case, riders can get help from almost anyplace, not to mention the stores to provide charge service, and many of EVs are equipped with a quick charger.
4. Unlike fuel price, as time goes by, the price of battery is expected to drop dramatically in the foreseeable future as with computer components, in that case, mounting additional battery might be not a problem. And the EVs that come in a range of 200 to 300 miles between charges are on fast-tract toward mass-market, as Batteries become more efficient.
5. Indian EV maker Reva said it has also set about addressing anxieties about e-car range, this fantastic wireless electricity/ “instant remote recharge” will be widely available down the line.
6. The vehicle-to-grid communication technology is helping the battery serve as a storage to prevent the costly blackout standing at about $90 to 100bn per year. That means utilities are shedding cost for additional storage facilities and ratepayers are selling electricity during peak demand so that EVs can make more economic sense, as we know. ((The cost of running the vehicle should be 1 to 2 cents per mile, compared to 10 cents or more per mile to run a gas car. Electric vehicles require little maintenance — no oil changes, for instance –. Better still, they can sell electricity or charge at the stores offering charge service.))
It is also in the best interest of electricity utilities that EVs are going mainstream, thereby they need to put in charge stands where needed around highways, major roads with card readers or cell phone tech.
7. I’m hopeful that the charge network will extend the select districts to nation-wide scale throughout the world, and this environment can usher in active private investings in EVs. And I remain confident that investing in charge stands could give rise to multiple times as much investing effect, so to speak, some billions of investing, this simple deployment, could call into the most-sought energy independence and solid recovery around the world.
Thank You !