Monthly Archives: September 2009

Electric Vehicles International Moving Headquaters To California

Posted on by
Reply

Mexico based Electric Vehicles International is moving their headquarters to Stockton, CA where they will also be building a manufacturing facility for their electric powered light truck.  The EVILightTruck has a top speed of 45-60 mph, depending on the version, and is available as a class 3,4,5 or 6 truck.  There is also a hybrid  option.  The all electric model has a 100KW motor and is powered by a lithium phosphate battery supplied by Valence.  EVI also sells drive trains and controllers for electric vehicles.  Since its founding in 1989 the company reports selling over 1,000 vehicles.  Production in the new facility will begin in 2010 and will employ up to 100 people when operating at peak production.  Learn more:  Centralvalleybusinesstimes.com

Chicago Adds Solar Recharging Station For NEVs

Posted on by
Reply

In July the Chicago Office of Fleet Management installed a solar powered recharging station on the banks of the Chicago River near the borders of Logan Square and Lincoln Park. The station will be used by the city’s fleet of seven NEVs as well as nearly 100 Segways and a hybrid vehicle. According to the city the power station produces about 10 kilowatts of power on a sunny day or enough to recharge approximately 10 Segway vehicles. Learn more: Medill Reports Chicago

Tampa Allows Free NEV Service To Return

Posted on by
Reply

The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted to rescind their earlier decision that effectively stopped NEVs from being offered for free transportation.  The vehicles charged no fee for short rides in the downtown area but sold advertising and allowed drivers to accept tips.  The service angered local taxi drivers and the commission passed an earlier ruling halting the service.  There is some disagreement over the commission’s right to regulate the vehicles since they may not technically be taxis since they are free.  The commission is trying to obtain a legal ruling in that regard, and establish some regulatory procedures.  While that process moves forward, they are asking NEV operators to voluntarily follow some safety and insurance guidelines.  Learn more:  Tampabay.com

Polaris Announces Layoffs

Posted on by
Reply

In response to lower sales Polaris Industries will be laying off 50-60 people next month at it’s Spirit Lake, Iowa facility.  The company is reducing production at the facility by combining the Ranger utility vehicle and Victory motorcycle production lines into one line that will only produce one type  of vehicle at a time.  The change is designed to help maintain lower dealer inventory levels during this economic downturn which has hit markets driven by discretionary spending, like the utility vehicle and motorcycle markets, hard.  Kawasaki, maker of the Mule utility vehicle, has also reduced their work force this year.  On a more positive note Polaris announced a $6 million contract with the US military for Ranger utility vehicles and service.   Learn more:  SiouxCityJournal.com

GEM Electric Vehicles Now Qualify For Plug-In Tax Credit

Posted on by
3

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) recently announced that GEM vehicles

…have been certified to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit, part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

The credit is available for new vehicles purchased in 2009 and applies to models from 2007, 2008 or 2009.  The tax credits by model are as follows:

GEM e2 – $3,751.00
GEM e4 – $3,751.00
GEM e6 – $3,751.00 (with 12-volt batteries)
GEM e6 – $5,002.00 (with 8-volt batteries)
GEM eS – $3,751.00
GEM eL – $3,751.00
GEM eL XD – $5,002.00

It appears that the GEM may also still be eligible for the separate LSV tax credit (10% of price up to $2,500). I will try to confirm this. Learn more:  GEM

Comment: This is a major change in the market as the tax credit will cut the cost of the GEMs significantly, some models in half, for commercial customers looking for utility vehicles and for individuals looking purchasing for personal transportation. For the latter, the vehicles will now be on par or close to the cost of golf cars.  It will be interesting to see if other LSV/NEV manufacturers become certified for the tax credit.  Other manufacturers could be at a distinct disadvantage if they do not qualify for the tax credit as well.  Originally LSVs qualified for the plug-in tax credit then they were excluded and given a separate tax credit. – Marc Cesare