VaporBrands International Inc., dba E-Cite Motors Group (OTC:VAPR), will offer gas-powered versions of its GT and C3 mid-engine models previously only available as all electric vehicles.
Both models will be available with gasoline internal combustion engines (ICE) and current electric (EV) options.
“Our vehicles have been designed from the ground up to accommodate both EV and ICE options while sharing most components (aside from the drivetrain) with each other. This allows for production of either variant to be done concurrently alongside one another, giving our customers a choice,” said E-Cite Motors COO Gene Langmesser.
The gasoline-powered version of the GT will bear the designation of IC-GT and the electric version the EV-GT, whereas the C3 model IC-C3 and EV-C3, respectively.
E-Cite’s GT model has been formally approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as a “new vehicle” that can be legally driven on public roads in the U.S. The C3’s submission is currently under review.
“We have been inundated with requests to offer our vehicles with both options. As true autophiles we are thrilled to be able to offer state-of-the-art high-performance ICE versions of our vehicles that are certain to satisfy even the most discerning petrol heads,” added E-Cite Motors CEO Barry Henthorn.
Both models share variants of the same aerospace aluminum chassis, mid-engine configuration, proprietary composite bodies, suspension, etc., of which all have been engineered for both drivetrains. The shared EV drivetrain is in the process of becoming certified with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and E-Cite intends to certify its ICE version as well for use in all 50 states.
As this is the first time a manufacturer has reached the point of applying for certification from CARB under the Act, there was no process in place to do so; E-Cite is working closely with CARB as it defines the process, paving the way for future vehicles.
