Electric Trabant Car Technology Proposed

The iconic Trabant car is set to be given a new lease of life through the integration of new environmentally friendly technologies, it has emerged.  The Trabant (Latin for ‘traveller’) was produced in East Germany from 1959 onwards, with production ultimately reaching 150,000 per annum.  No models were produced after 1991, but a new version featuring electric car technologies is now set to be unveiled at the 2009 International Motor Show.

Nicknamed the ‘Trabi’, the Trabant was conceived as an alternative to the Volkswagen Beetle and was able to reach speeds of 62 miles per hour.  It was extremely popular in its day – with reports that residents of East Germany queued for long periods of time to snap one up. 

Energy Efficient Trabant

The original design was a high-emission vehicle whereas this new one, the ‘Trabant nT’, is being advertised as an energy-efficient Trabant, featuring both fuel cell technologies and photovoltaic technologies. 

“We think it will appeal to drivers who want something sustainable and stylish”, Daniel Stiegler of Herpa Miniaturemodelle – the owners of the rights to the Trabant – commented.

Two years ago, Herpa Miniaturemodelle showcased a one-tenth scale model of a proposed electrified Trabant, to an overwhelmingly positive response.  “We had about 14,000 reactions and about 90 percent were in favour of bringing it back”, Stiegler explained.  

One year later, they entered a collaboration with car manufacturing group IndiKar (which was involved in Trabant production) and it is this duo that now hopes to bring the design back onto Europe’s roads. 

Electric Car Technologies

According to IndiKar’s MD, Ronald Gerschewski, new Trabant models incorporating electric car technologies could be on the market within three years, but not before investment can be found to fund the venture. 

A number of Trabant supporters groups are up and running, including more than 130 in Germany.  A representative of one of these, Daniel Pohl, seemed to welcome news of the Trabant’s return, but with reservations.

“Its a super idea”, he said, adding: “[but]...an electric model won't match up to the feel of an original.”