The Fisker Karma’s 20 M.P.G. Sticker: A Scarlet Letter?

[n2doc]

By JIM MOTAVALLI

Jonathan Alcorn/Bloomberg News
2012 Fisker Karma, at the Alternative Transportation Expo in Santa Monica, Calif., in September.


With its range-extender gasoline engine engaged, the Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid was rated this week by the Environmental Protection Agency at just 20 miles per gallon. The E.P.A. figure was first reported by the blog GreenCarReports.com.

In the ensuing blowback, some critics concluded that the luxury sport sedan, which was not yet certified by the California Air Resources Board for sale in that primary E.V. market, would be a “fuel economy flop.”

Like the bankrupt solar company Solyndra, Fisker also received a loan from the Energy Department, $528.7 million, feeding the critics’ grist.

According to the E.P.A., the Karma has a purely electric range of 32 miles, in the vicinity of the Chevrolet Volt’s 35-mile rating, and a mileage equivalent in battery mode of 52 MPGe, compared with the Volt’s 93 MPGe.

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/21/the-fisker-karmas-20-m-p-g-conundrum/

[Kennah]

1. Anyone know what the official curb weight is?

I've read it's upwards of 5,500 lbs.

Plus, it's only a 4 seater.

Sadly, I've moved it into the greenwashing category.

Perhaps the Fisker Nina will be less disappointing.