Monthly Archives: March 2009

Aurora, IL: STOV Market Segment Example

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NEV Replacing Full-size Vehicle

NEV Replacing Full-size Vehicle

The parks and recreation department in Aurora, IL has just purchased two NEVs from GEM to replace full-sized vehicles.  The vehicles are being used for maintenance in a park and a zoo. Learn more

Comment: This is an excellent example of where a full-sized vehicle is overkill but a utility vehicle can be highly efficient performing the necessary tasks.  In this case it also an example of market segments where end-users (often parks departments) are switching from gas-powered to and electric powered vehicles. mcesare

Electric Kandi COCO LSVs Hit The Market

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Electric Kandi COCO a new LSV for the US market

Electric Kandi COCO a new LSV for the US market

Solus International, the exclusive importer for electric Kandi COCO vehicles, reports that 100 vehicles have been imported for the US market. The marketing drive was kicked off at the 2009 NADA show in New Orleans in early January. The LSVs have a range of 50-60 miles and operates on a DC motor with a 72 volt system using lead acid batteries. The MSRP for the vehicle is $12,995.

The vehicles are manufactured in China by the Kandi Group which also produces ATVs/Quads, go-karts, UTVs, electric scooters and other vehicles. Most of these other vehicles are gas powered including a gas powered version of the COCO. Franklin Motorsports is a regional distributor for the LSV and powersports vehicles. Learn more

Comment: While in previous years we have seen LSVs manufacturers looking overseas to source parts or an entire vehicle minus the electric drive system, the latest trend has more overseas manufacturers trying to export their own complete vehicles to the US market. They are also adding to the list of LSVs that are available on the US market which, while still dominated by GEM, is becoming more competitive and seeing more marketing dollars being put into the category as a whole. It will be interesting to see how well these imports are received in the market. mcesare

TH!NK Planning US Based Production

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In the near future Norwegian-based electric vehicle manufacturer TH!NK is expected to announce plans for manufacturing a two seat city vehicle in the US. The company is hoping to take advantage of government funding for electric and hybrid vehicles. The vehicle would be available in mid-2010 if all goes according to plan.

Recently in financial difficulty, the company received a $5.7 million loan from the Ener1 Group which holds a majority stake in the battery maker for the vehicle. Learn More

Update: Initial production plans for first year production of 2,500 units. The company will be applying for low-interest loans from the US Department of Energy’s $25-billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVMIP) program. Michigan is among eight states being considered for the facility. Learn more

Stimulus Bill Tax Credits

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides tax credits for plug-in electric scooters, three-wheelers and low speed vehicles. The tax credit is 10% of the purchase price up to $2,500 for new vehicles purchased. According to the bill, the tax credit is limited to the first 200,000 vehicles that are eligible for the tax credit and is for vehicles purchased in 2010 and 2011.  Sources have told us that manufacturers have lobbied to make the tax credit effective immediately.  The tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2011 or before, if the vehicle limit is reached.

Baoya Vehicles Sold Through Dealership In Knoxville, TN

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Second Chance Finance Auto Sales, soon to be called Wildfire Motors of Knoxville is selling a Chinese manufactured LSV supplied by Wildfire Motors of Steubenville, OH.  The models, WF120-2C and WF120-4C, look similar to the Baoya electric vehicles produced by Shandong Baoya Vehicle Company of China. See earlier post

Wildfire Motors LSV Model WF120-2C
Wildfire Motors LSV Model WF120-2C

The vehicle has a 8.5 kilowatt, 120 volt, AC motor which runs on 10 105Amp maintenance free sealed lead acid batteries.   The top speed is set for 25 mph but can be programmed for speeds up to 50 mph.  At a speed of 30mph the vehicle has a range of 70 miles and can be charged using a typical home outlet.   The vehicle comes in two and four passenger versions as well as a utility truck version with MSRPs ranging from $14,618 and $15,325. There is also a 72 volt power system option available. Learn more about the dealer and Wildfire Motors

Phillipines Agency Approves Electric Jeepneys

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The Phillipine Land Transportation Office agreed to issue plate numbers for e-jeepneys, making them available for commercial use.  The vehicles were developed by Green Renewable Independent Power Producer Inc. (GRIPP), and the Dutch group Stichting Doen as part of their “Climate-Friendly Cities” project.  They vehicles will be assembled locally with the cooperation of Philippine Utility Vehicles Inc. (PhUV), a local group of vehicle parts manufacturers.  Powered by 12 six volt lead acid batteries, the e-jeeps can carry 14 passengers at speeds of 40km to 60km per hour.  Each vehicle costs about $13,000 (US) which is slightly less than the diesel powered versions currently in use. Learn more

Yamaha Rhino Federal Lawsuits Consolidated

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Yamaha Rhino lawsuits filed in federal districts around the United States will be consolidated for pretrial litigation in the Western District of Kentucky.  There are currently  55 different product liability lawsuits related to the Rhino filed in 33 different U.S. District Courts.  The common allegation in the lawsuits is that the side by side vehicle has defects that give it a propensity to tip over.

Most of the lawsuits in federal courts have been filed in the last year and more are expected.  If filings in state courts are included, those following the story estimate over 200 lawsuits in total are pending across the country.  Last month consumer advocates and victims of rollover incidents released a report(pdf) that covers all utility terrain vehicles (UTV) but extensively discusses the Yamaha Rhino. Learn more about the consolidation

More Smith Electric Vehicle News

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Smith All Electric Newton for the North American Market

Smith All Electric Newton for the North American Market

Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation, currently headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, is planning on producing all electric trucks for depot-based delivery fleets in North America. In the UK companies like Starbucks and DHL use the vehicles in dense urban areas.

The Newton model will be the first Smith vehicle available in this market. This is a class 5,6 o 7 vehicle with a payload of up to 16,280 lbs. While not quite a highway speed vehicle, the Newton is not a low speed vehicle either can reach speeds of up to 50 mph and has a range of over 100 miles depending on the battery option chosen.

The Newton originally used anywhere from two to six Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries produced by Zebra and each battery cost $16,000 and provided 22KW hours of power. However the company expects that most of the models sold in the US will use this Lithium ion type batteries. The 2007 version of the truck costs $150,000 with the Zebra batteries accounting for $64,000 or just over 40% of the cost. Additional batteries also reduce payload capacity.

Learn more and at Autobloggreen.com

Update:  See some video interviews from some people in the industry that drove the truck at Autobloggreen.com

Wheego Starts Taking Orders for the Whip LSV

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Wheego announced yesterday that they have begun taking orders for their Wheego Whip electric vehicle.  The LSV is expected to ship in May of this year.  Last week’s announcement regarding the launch of their dealership network generated a strong response from potential vehicle buyers as well.  According to the company’s press release:

The Wheego Whip is a fully loaded two-passenger automobile with fit, finish and features that compete with any other subcompact car on the market. Remote keyless entry, air conditioning and an mp3 stereo system are standard equipment on the Whip. It retails for under $19,000, and it only costs about 3 cents per mile to operate. There is also a 10% Federal Tax credit on the purchase price of the car as a Low Speed Vehicle in 2009.

Wheego is offering a number of incentives related to the launch of the Whip including special programs for upgrading the vehicles when Lithium ion battery packs or full speed versions of the vehicle are available, as well as cash rebates for referring other customers.  Learn more

Bobcat Turns To Polaris To Produce “Work” Vehicles

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Bobcat has entered into a strategic alliance with Polaris to co-develop vehicles for the work segment of the utility vehicle market. The first vehicles are expected to hit the market in the latter half of 2010 and replace Bobcat’s 2100, 2200 and 2300 utility vehicles currently manufactured by Club Car. Bobcat and Club Car were both part of Ingersoll Rand before Bobcat was acquired by Doosan Infracore in late 2007. The alliance will help Polaris expand beyond their strengths in the powersports/recreational vehicle segment. Bobcat reports that only 20 of 1,800 Polaris dealers currently sell Bobcat products. The agreement will not have an affect Bob Cat’s Tool Cat line or the Polaris Ranger line. Learn more