We like stuff that comes from Shelby SuperCars (SSC) because its fast. The Ultimate Aero currently holds the record for world's fastest production car at 256 mph, and the 2009 car is promised to be even faster. So when SSC announced it will build the world's fastest electric car last summer, we thought we might have a reason to start getting excited about EV cars (no offense Tesla).

SSC decided to release a few details about its progress on the electric supercar, and its having us check the calendar to make sure it isn't April Fool's Day. For starters, SSC is keeping with its basic principle and keeping the electric car's charge time fast; a hard to believe ten minutes.

In a sixth of an hour, SSC says its Nanotechnology Rechargeable Lithium Battery pack can be charged up for a 200 mile run. These figures are not from hooking up the car directly to the local nuclear power plant, but just by using the same household plug that powers an alarm clock. The reason why his is a little questionable is because the engineering team at SSC has accomplished what a lot of bigger companies have not been able to do yet. For example Chevrolet's Volt will need an eight hour charge on a 110v plug to go 40 miles.

If SSC really has created a system the will charge an EV car's batteries in the same time it takes to fill up with fuel, and it fits in a performance car, then the electric car revolution may really be here. Now all we have to do is keep our homes from burning down when the Ultimate Aero EV pulls the current (presumably an ungodly amount) to get its quick charge.

Full details in the press release after the jump.

Press release

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) released the details today of the revolutionary electric vehicle technology to be unveiled in the second quarter of this year. SSC will reveal its innovative all-electric powertrain in the current Ultimate Aero, the Guinness Certified "Fastest Production Car in the World," to create the Ultimate Aero EV and will reinforce the company as a benchmark in the auto industry. But unlike other auto manufacturers, SSC's new technology will set a new standard in the electric car industry - one of 10 minute recharges, super horsepower and ranges of up to 200 miles per charge.

While other auto manufacturers focus on producing Green technology for specific cars, SSC's focus is on producing Green technologies for a wide range of applications for an even wider range of vehicles. SSC's electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable Powertrain) is unique due to its scalable horsepower, light weight, compact size, quick recharge time and liquid cooling.

SSC's Nanotechnology Rechargeable Lithium Battery pack is rechargeable in only 10 minutes on a standard 110 outlet and has a 150-200 mile range on a single charge. This means that in a typical 8 hour day, the car using this technology could go 200 miles, charge for 10 minutes (the time it typically takes to fill up a tank of gas), then drive 200 more miles, charge for 10 minutes and continue on. Some other EV technologies necessitate an overnight charge creating a class of "commuter electric cars" and are not practical alternatives to gas combustion automobiles.

The AESP's main feature is its scalability. The all-electric SUV or delivery truck is now a reality in the not-so-distant future. The AESP is scalable from 200 horsepower for economy and midsize cars, to 500 horsepower for light trucks and SUVs, and up to 1200 horsepower for delivery trucks, heavy duty equipment, buses and military vehicles. The revolutionary design proves electric-powered vehicles not only match, but also provide more linear power (electric motors have 100% torque at 0 RPM) and overall performance than internal combustion vehicles.

All-electric. No gasoline.

Light weight. Just a fraction of the weight of a standard combustion
engine (<200lbs.)

Extended performance. Internal cooling systems are built into the
motors.

Compact size. 1/18 the space of a standard engine; significant increase
in cargo room.

Scalable horsepower. From 200 horsepower (one motor) to 1200 horsepower
(two motors "piggy backed").

Quick recharges. Only 10 minutes on standard 110 outlet.

The current AESP was designed to meet the manufacturing and quality requirements of major automotive manufacturers, transportation operators and the military. SSC will wholesale the AESP to mass production car companies, governments, and to public, private, and niche businesses. Costs for mass-produced units are $5K-$6K per unit for 1000 to 10,000 units (with further reduction in unit cost for increased production.)

SSC's next milestone will be the pursuit of the "World's Fastest Electric Car" with the Ultimate Aero EV later this year.