LoginWhat’s This Strange Step DeLorean Wants Buyers To Take?
- DeLorean plans to build 4,000 Alpha5 EVs with a reservation system based on NFTs.
- Interested customers must purchase a $2,500 NFT to reserve their Alpha5 build slot.
- Final pricing and specifications for the electric sports car are still to be confirmed.
The all-electric DeLorean Alpha5 has been a long time in the making, and it’s finally getting closer to production. However, if you’re looking to pre-order one, you’ll have to jump through a few hoops, and specifically, purchasing an NFT to secure an allocation.
It’s hard not to question the logic of turning NFTs into the key to securing an electric car, especially since the company hasn’t even delivered a single vehicle yet or shown the car in its final production form, but here we are.
Also: DeLorean Alpha5 EV Makes Its Public Debut At Pebble Beach
It’s important to note that the Alpha5 is built by a company known as DeLorean Motor Company, which, confusingly, has absolutely no connection to the original company that built the DMC-12. Indeed, it grew out of a DeLorean parts and service business. So, while the name might bring up nostalgic memories of the ’80s and time travel, the company itself doesn’t have a history of manufacturing cars.
Nevertheless, the company has established an odd reservation system for the Alpha5, which will be capped at just 4,000 units. DeLorean has launched an online marketplace, where customers will need to pay $2,500 to secure a ‘Build Slot NFT,’ which will be assigned to a random build slot number. But the process is a little more complex than that.
First, you have to set up a digital Slush Wallet, then purchase the NFT using DMC or USDC, which are two cryptocurrencies based on the Sui blockchain. Once that’s done, you can secure your Alpha5, or if you change your mind before the car is even built, you can try to resell the NFT on DeLorean’s platform. As of now, only six Build Slot NFTs have been purchased, so good luck getting in early.
More: DeLorean Alpha5 Is A Low-Slung Electric GT With Gullwing Doors
As for the actual car? Well, it seems to be a work in progress. Final pricing details for the new DeLorean have yet to be announced, and the specifications have not been finalized either. When first presented as a prototype three years ago, DeLorean said the Alpha5 would feature two electric motors, allowing it to hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.99 seconds. DeLorean had also promised 300 miles (483 km) of driving range and a 100 kWh battery pack.
H/T to Carbuzz
