First Wheego LiFe Delivery – Click above for high-res image
Earlier today, on Earth Day, Wheego finally delivered its first all-electric, highway-speed LiFe. The keys were handed over to Asma and Kevin Henry, who live in Atlanta, by Wheego dealer Jim Ellis. It's been a tough road thus far for the company, but the $32,995 ($25,495 after a $7,500 tax credit) car is finally here. Wheego CEO Mike McQuary told AutoblogGreen:
That's not nearly as interesting as how McQuary sounded in LA last fall, but that's all right. McQuary added:We started Wheego to help address the issues of climate change, spiking gas prices, and the need to end the U.S. dependency on foreign oil. These are very lofty ambitions. With a small and dedicated staff of employees and some of the world's best consultants and contractors we have taken the first step to meet these ambitions. The Wheego LiFe is a tribute to American ingenuity and entrepreneurship. It is a great car and we are confident that our Wheego drivers are going to be our greatest ambassadors in spreading the word about how a small car company start up can make a big contribution to society.
Wheego has dealers in 19 states (see the list here) so if you're interested in being (roughly) the second LiFe owner, give your local agent a call.The Walt Kelly poster for the very first Earth Day had Pogo proclaiming that "We have met the enemy and he is us." And now 31 years later we want to amend that sentiment by stating that "We have met the solution, and he is also us."
[Source: Wheego]
WHEEGO DELIVERS FIRST LiFe
ATLANTA, GA (April 22, 2011) – Coinciding with Earth Day, WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS, a U.S. manufacturer of all-electric cars, today delivered the first Wheego LiFe, a highway-speed 100% electric car.
"We are very proud of this car and the American spirit that it represents," said Mike McQuary, CEO of Wheego Electric Cars. "The delivery of our first Wheego LiFe electric car culminates four years of research and development, and is perfectly timed to support President Obama's Energy Plan. President Obama will direct Federal agencies to buy 100 percent alternative fuel vehicles by 2015, and is asking for a major increase in fuel economy for 2017-2025 model year automobiles. The Wheego LiFe is ready to help meet that demand: it is affordable, all-electric, and available across the country now."
The first owners of a Wheego LiFe are Asma and Kevin Henry, residents of the Virginia Highland neighborhood in Atlanta . Jimmy Ellis, VP and COO of Jim Ellis Automotive Dealerships, the first dealer in Georgia to deliver a full-speed electric car, presented the Henrys with their car at the Jim Ellis dealership at 5855 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, at 10:30 a.m. on April 22nd.
Kevin says buying a Wheego LiFe was his wife's idea. Asma, a freelance consultant in international assistance programs, is committed to protecting the environment and reducing fossil fuel consumption. She walks and bikes to neighborhood shops, prefers fresh air to conditioned air, and dries laundry in the back garden. She has more than a casual interest in zero-emission vehicles and clean air because she helps manage the charity Speranta Terrei, which supports patients in Moldova with the air-borne disease tuberculosis. Asma said, "We as individuals have to do our part so we can all breathe easier."
"Asma Henry's commitment to helping the environment, and to her charity are inspiring to us, and we are excited that she is the owner of the first Wheego LiFe," said McQuary.
The Wheego LiFe travels approximately 100 miles on a single charge and retails for $32,995. It qualifies for a $7,500 Federal tax credit, as well as many state incentives such as tax credits (up to $5,000 in Georgia ) and HOV lane access. The Wheego LiFe comes fully-equipped with driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, power windows and locks, and optional air conditioning. The 115V lithium battery pack can be charged from a standard 120V outlet, a 240V outlet or any of the J1772 standard charging stations being installed in public locations throughout the United States . It is available in red, white, blue, black, silver, and green. The Wheego LiFe is a two-seat subcompact car with fit, finish and features designed for today's environmentally-conscious commuters. The Wheego line of electric vehicles are sold through a nationwide dealer network; for an up-to-date list, visit the Wheego dealer listing at http://wheego.net/more/dealer-list/.
About Jim Ellis Auto Dealerships
Jim Ellis Wheego is the Atlanta-area dealer for Wheego Electric Cars. Jim Ellis is a family-owned business with twelve sales and service locations and almost 40 years experience in the Atlanta area. Jim Ellis was honored in 2008 as a candidate for Time Magazine's Dealer of the Year, and has won the Consumer's Choice award for Business Excellence for the past six years. For more information about Jim Ellis Auto Dealerships, visit the company website at www.jimellis.com.
About Wheego Electric Cars
Wheego Electric Cars is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, CEO and former MindSpring entrepreneur, Wheego Electric Cars has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components. Wheego Electric Cars is one of the first EV companies to deliver affordable fully capable, street legal all-electric cars for everyday consumer use. The Wheego line of electric vehicles is emission-free, making them an ideal choice for consumers, fleets and businesses who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Wheego is headquartered in Atlanta , Georgia . The cars are assembled in Ontario , California .
For more information about Wheego, visit the company website at www.wheego.net. To inquire about dealership opportunities, email sales@wheego.net.
About Speranta Terrei
For more information about Speranta Terrei, visit http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/community-support-150-tuberculosis-patients-in-moldova/
ATLANTA, GA (April 22, 2011) – Coinciding with Earth Day, WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS, a U.S. manufacturer of all-electric cars, today delivered the first Wheego LiFe, a highway-speed 100% electric car.
"We are very proud of this car and the American spirit that it represents," said Mike McQuary, CEO of Wheego Electric Cars. "The delivery of our first Wheego LiFe electric car culminates four years of research and development, and is perfectly timed to support President Obama's Energy Plan. President Obama will direct Federal agencies to buy 100 percent alternative fuel vehicles by 2015, and is asking for a major increase in fuel economy for 2017-2025 model year automobiles. The Wheego LiFe is ready to help meet that demand: it is affordable, all-electric, and available across the country now."
The first owners of a Wheego LiFe are Asma and Kevin Henry, residents of the Virginia Highland neighborhood in Atlanta . Jimmy Ellis, VP and COO of Jim Ellis Automotive Dealerships, the first dealer in Georgia to deliver a full-speed electric car, presented the Henrys with their car at the Jim Ellis dealership at 5855 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, at 10:30 a.m. on April 22nd.
Kevin says buying a Wheego LiFe was his wife's idea. Asma, a freelance consultant in international assistance programs, is committed to protecting the environment and reducing fossil fuel consumption. She walks and bikes to neighborhood shops, prefers fresh air to conditioned air, and dries laundry in the back garden. She has more than a casual interest in zero-emission vehicles and clean air because she helps manage the charity Speranta Terrei, which supports patients in Moldova with the air-borne disease tuberculosis. Asma said, "We as individuals have to do our part so we can all breathe easier."
"Asma Henry's commitment to helping the environment, and to her charity are inspiring to us, and we are excited that she is the owner of the first Wheego LiFe," said McQuary.
The Wheego LiFe travels approximately 100 miles on a single charge and retails for $32,995. It qualifies for a $7,500 Federal tax credit, as well as many state incentives such as tax credits (up to $5,000 in Georgia ) and HOV lane access. The Wheego LiFe comes fully-equipped with driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, power windows and locks, and optional air conditioning. The 115V lithium battery pack can be charged from a standard 120V outlet, a 240V outlet or any of the J1772 standard charging stations being installed in public locations throughout the United States . It is available in red, white, blue, black, silver, and green. The Wheego LiFe is a two-seat subcompact car with fit, finish and features designed for today's environmentally-conscious commuters. The Wheego line of electric vehicles are sold through a nationwide dealer network; for an up-to-date list, visit the Wheego dealer listing at http://wheego.net/more/dealer-list/.
About Jim Ellis Auto Dealerships
Jim Ellis Wheego is the Atlanta-area dealer for Wheego Electric Cars. Jim Ellis is a family-owned business with twelve sales and service locations and almost 40 years experience in the Atlanta area. Jim Ellis was honored in 2008 as a candidate for Time Magazine's Dealer of the Year, and has won the Consumer's Choice award for Business Excellence for the past six years. For more information about Jim Ellis Auto Dealerships, visit the company website at www.jimellis.com.
About Wheego Electric Cars
Wheego Electric Cars is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, CEO and former MindSpring entrepreneur, Wheego Electric Cars has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components. Wheego Electric Cars is one of the first EV companies to deliver affordable fully capable, street legal all-electric cars for everyday consumer use. The Wheego line of electric vehicles is emission-free, making them an ideal choice for consumers, fleets and businesses who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Wheego is headquartered in Atlanta , Georgia . The cars are assembled in Ontario , California .
For more information about Wheego, visit the company website at www.wheego.net. To inquire about dealership opportunities, email sales@wheego.net.
About Speranta Terrei
For more information about Speranta Terrei, visit http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/community-support-150-tuberculosis-patients-in-moldova/
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