EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Croatia’s First EV Prototype the DOK-ING XD Unveiled at the LA Auto Show

Croatia just unveiled a prototype of its first <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=electric+vehicle+concept">electric vehicle concept</a> at the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=la+auto+show">LA Auto Show</a> this week, and Inhabitat got an exclusive peek at the tiny zero-emissions car! Our hearts are aflutter for this three seater with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_doors">butterfly doors</a> and a projected range of 155 miles on a single charge - that's a hefty accomplishment for such a teensy auto.

What is perhaps most surprising about the <a href="http://doking-automotiv.hr/">DOK-ING XD</a> is that it doesn't come from a car company.

<a href="http://dok-ing.hr/">DOK-ING</a> is a 20 year-old Croatian company that designs and manufactures robotic mining and firefighting equipment.

Despite their heavy machinery background -- or perhaps because of -- they've decided to enter the EV world and have announced that they'll soon be taking personal orders for the XD which they'll either manufacture a single at a time or in small production batches in Europe.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=electric+vehicle">all-electric vehicle</a> goes from 0 to 60 in 7.7 seconds and boasts four 45 kW electric motor -- one at each wheel -- that can be run all together or two at a time.

The four part powertrain was designed by in-house engineers at DOK-ING and the 32 kWh batteries that power the system can be charged in three to eight hours.

The final vehicle will feature 360 degree airbags and a choice for the driver to pick between sport, comfort or economy drive modes in order to save energy.