Commuter Cars was a small American electric car company founded in Spokane, Washington, in 1998 by Rick Woodbury and his son Bryan. The company is best known for developing the Tango, a narrow, tandem two-seat electric vehicle designed specifically for urban commuting and heavy traffic. With its slim design, the Tango could fit into motorcycle-sized spaces while offering the protection of a car. Despite gaining attention from celebrities such as George Clooney, Commuter Cars struggled with limited production and high costs. While the company never became a mass-market player, its vision highlighted innovative solutions for congestion and eco-friendly city driving.
25 Commuter Cars Questions
-
When was Commuter Cars founded?
-
Who founded Commuter Cars?
-
What was the purpose of the Tango EV?
-
How does the Tango differ from traditional cars?
-
Why was the Tango designed to be so narrow?
-
How many people can the Tango seat?
-
What makes the Tango unique in city commuting?
-
How did George Clooney become associated with Commuter Cars?
-
Why did Commuter Cars struggle with production?
-
How much did the Tango cost to produce?
-
How did safety features work in the slim Tango?
-
What range could the Tango achieve on a charge?
-
How did the Tango compare to early EVs like the Nissan Leaf?
-
Why did Commuter Cars remain a niche automaker?
-
How did media coverage affect Commuter Cars’ reputation?
-
What challenges did Commuter Cars face in scaling production?
-
How practical was the Tango for real-world traffic?
-
Why did investors hesitate to back Commuter Cars?
-
What innovations did Commuter Cars introduce?
-
How did Commuter Cars impact early EV history?
-
Why do collectors find the Tango interesting today?
-
What role did congestion concerns play in Commuter Cars’ mission?
-
How rare are surviving Tango vehicles?
-
What lessons did larger automakers learn from Commuter Cars?
-
Why is Commuter Cars remembered as a creative EV pioneer?