The Commuter Cars Tango is a uniquely engineered ultra-narrow electric vehicle, developed by Commuter Cars Corporation in Spokane, Washington.
Founded in 1998 by Rick and Bryan Woodbury, the company envisioned a compact, high-performance commuter car that could navigate dense urban environments with ease. With tandem seating, race car–like acceleration, and robust safety features, the Tango is one of the most distinctive electric vehicles ever built—albeit in extremely limited numbers.
Key Takeaways
- Founded in 1998 by Rick and Bryan Woodbury in Spokane, WA.
- The Tango T600 is a two-seat, ultra-narrow EV, 39 inches wide.
- George Clooney was the first owner and supporter of the Tango.
- 0–60 mph in 3.2 seconds, thanks to dual electric motors.
- Fewer than 20 Tangos have been produced due to high costs.
The Vision Behind Commuter Cars
Commuter Cars was founded to address urban congestion and environmental concerns by creating a vehicle that was compact, efficient, and electrically powered.
Inspired by concepts from the early 1980s, the company’s founders developed the Tango T600, a car narrow enough to lane-share with motorcycles but powerful enough to match the acceleration of a high-end sports car.
Despite significant production costs, the Tango attracted notable attention from high-profile clients, including actor George Clooney, who became the car’s first customer.
Interest in electric vehicles has surged as they are considered the greenest option for economical vehicles.
The Evolution of the Tango Model
Initially conceptualized as a single-seat vehicle, the Tango evolved into a two-passenger car with tandem seating, allowing it to remain ultra-narrow while increasing usability.
At just 39 inches wide, the Tango is narrower than many motorcycles. The T600, its flagship model, was hand-built to precise specifications. Despite early excitement, production remained limited due to cost and complexity—with fewer than 20 units produced as of the mid-2010s.
The Tango remains a niche innovation, symbolic of experimental design in electric vehicle development.
Similarly, Genesis Motors has invested in electrification and advanced technologies, planning to introduce several electric vehicle models as it aligns with global automotive technology trends.
Technical Specifications and Performance
The Tango T600 delivers performance on par with traditional sports cars:
- 0–60 mph acceleration in approximately 3.2 seconds
- Quarter-mile time of 12.2 seconds
- Dual electric motors provide torque to each rear wheel
- Top speed: up to 150 mph (configurable)
- Vehicle weight: around 3,300 lbs, due to heavy battery packs and steel structure
- Dimensions: 39 inches wide, 101 inches long
This weight, combined with a low center of gravity, contributes to exceptional stability, even at high speeds.
Charging Capabilities and Options
The Tango is equipped with flexible charging solutions:
- Standard 120V outlet: full overnight charge
- 240V outlet (dryer plug): full charge in under 3 hours
- Off-board fast charger (200A): 80% charge in 10 minutes
- Battery voltage ranges from 228V to 300V, with options for lead-acid or lithium-ion packs.
These options allow owners to tailor charging to personal or professional needs, ensuring quick turnaround in daily use.
Safety Features and Design
Despite its size, the Tango prioritizes structural integrity and occupant protection:
- Roll cage–style frame using more steel than a full-size SUV
- Roll stability comparable to a Porsche 911
- Pilot-grade racing harnesses for both occupants
- Low center of gravity minimizes rollover risk
These features make the Tango safer than its size might suggest, appealing to drivers who seek agility without sacrificing safety.
Production Challenges and Milestones
Despite the praise for its innovative design, the Tango T600 faced significant production hurdles that limited its reach.
The first unit was delivered to actor George Clooney in 2005, followed by a second vehicle in 2008. However, by 2014, production remained extremely limited, with fewer than 20 units built.
Each Tango was hand-crafted, with an estimated $85,000 in parts and labor, and a retail price ranging from $108,000 to $148,000. Without the backing of large-scale manufacturing infrastructure, the company estimated that at least $50 million would be needed to ramp up affordable production.
These financial and logistical challenges ultimately kept the Tango as a niche, low-volume electric vehicle.
Market Position and Competition
The Tango sits in a unique category of ultra-narrow EVs. Unlike Tesla or other mainstream brands, Commuter Cars targets:
- Urban commuters looking for compact, high-performance EVs
- Enthusiasts and celebrities, like George Clooney and Google co-founder Sergey Brin
- Drivers seeking exclusive, lane-sharing vehicles with sports car acceleration
Its high cost and limited production keep it in the luxury/exotic EV niche rather than the mass market.
Peak and Decline
With fewer than 20 units built and funding challenges mounting, Commuter Cars struggled to scale. By the 2010s, production had stalled, marking a quiet decline for one of the most distinctive electric vehicles ever produced.
Legacy of the Tango
| Year | Milestone |
| 1998 | Commuter Cars founded by Rick and Bryan Woodbury in Spokane |
| 2005 | First Tango T600 delivered to George Clooney |
| 2008 | Second production car shipped |
| 2010s | Total production reaches fewer than 20 vehicles |
Though produced in limited numbers, the Tango T600 has earned a place in electric vehicle history as a bold and unconventional response to urban mobility challenges. Its ultra-narrow profile, tandem seating, and race car–level acceleration demonstrated that electric vehicles could be both efficient and thrilling. By attracting early adopters like George Clooney, the Tango proved that there was a market—however niche—for compact performance EVs.
While high production costs and limited manufacturing scale prevented widespread adoption, the Tango’s influence endures. It inspired conversations around space-saving transportation, lane-sharing innovation, and reimagined city infrastructure. In many ways, the Tango served as a precursor to modern trends in micromobility and urban EV design, securing its legacy as a pioneering concept in the evolution of electric vehicles.
