E-Z-GO Developments

Towards the end of last year E-Z-GO initiated a rebranding of some of their product lines.  They introduced their Terrain line of vehicles for what management describes as “trail-utility” applications and their Express line of vehicles for “trail-leisure” applications.  The Terrain line consists of the Terrain 250 and 1000 in gas and electric configurations and the Terrain 500 and 1500 in gas only configurations.  The Express line consists of the L4, S4, L6 and S6 models which all come in gas or electric versions.  One dealer’s website describes the Terrain line being for cargo and the Express line being for people.

From my understanding the old E-Z-GO ST product line has been rebranded as E-Z-GO Terrain & Express models, and as the Cushman Hauler models, and some as Bad Boy Buggies.  While the guts of the vehicles have not been changed substantially, the front body panel, the cowl, headlights and canopy top have been changed and the top supports are beefier as well.

E-Z-GO Exceed Hybrid Technology

E-Z-GO's Exceed Hybrid Technology Range Extender

E-Z-Go has also introduced a range extender technology for their Freedom RXV golf car and 2Five LSV.  The Exceed Hybrid Technology™ is a fully integrated supplemental power source which can extend the range of these vehicles up to 150 miles based on E-Z-Go’s test results.  The Exceed features a 6 hp, 205 cc gas generator which can recharge the batteries on the fly and provides a 400-watt power source for charging electronic devices.  System controls and the power source outlet are located on the dashboard.  The generator fits into the vehicle’s bagwell with a custom cover. Learn more:  Ezgo.com

 

More Robotic Military Vehicles

Robotic "mule" military vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin

I recently wrote a post about a robotic Gator that has been developed for military applications.  Another vehicle with a similar purpose, helping haul gear for combat troops, is now being tested in Afghanistan.  This “mule” was developed by Lockheed Martin and is much larger than the M-Gator, weighing in at 3,800 lbs for the six-wheeled vehicle.

Four of the vehicles will be tested over several months by troops operating in the field.  The vehicles will be used to haul gear, water, ammunition and other supplies.  In addition, the vehicles have a battery recharger onboard for the plethora of batteries that troops now need to operate a range of high tech equipment.  The vehicle also has a “follow me” operating mode. ” The vehicle will memorize the optical profile or shape and size of a person that it is told to follow, and it will track the person and stay a certain distance behind, moving around obstacles that fall in its path.” If the vehicle performs well, the Army could initiate a bid competition in late 2012.  Learn more:  Nationaldefensemagazine.org

STOV Market Trender: Solar Powered EVs

In Huntsville, AL a local hospital purchased three GEMs and are using solar power as their electricity source.  In some instances solar panels are being installed on the roof of LSVs, golf cars or electric UTVs but in this case the solar panels are installed on top of a parking deck.  They are attached to a bank of eight batteries that are used to store the electricity until the GEMs need to be recharged.  As a side note, the GEMs were purchased to replace two gas powered vehicles.  Learn more:  blog.al.com

Polaris Invests In Electric Motorcycle Manufacturer Brammo

Polaris Industries is the lead investor for Brammo’s second round of financing totaling $28 million.  Existing investors Alpine Energy and Northport Investments are also involved in supporting the electric motorcycle manufacturer for this round of financing.  In total the company has raised nearly $40 million in financing since 2008.

Brammo is known for their battery and electric powertrain technology.  The investment by Polaris should not only have synergies with their motorcycle products but with their electric utility vehicles and recently acquired GEM product line.  Brammo has also partnered with Flextronics for manufacturing.  Learn more:  Techcrunch.com

Some Solar Powered LSVs Operating Totally Off The Grid

All American LSV

Cruise Car All American LSV with solar panel

Cruise Car management is reporting that some of their All American solar powered LSV customers are able to operate their vehicles completely off the grid.  Customers are driving up to ten miles per day on just solar power alone and some have not had to use an external power source since purchasing their vehicles.

These reports provide more evidence that the STOV market continues to be sliced up into many sub-segments which are being satisfied by vehicles with a particular set of features and functionality.  In this case the question is how large is the potential market for vehicles that can exclusively or predominately operate on solar power.

In the future we can anticipate an attempt to increase the solar power generated by these vehicles through larger solar panels, new photovoltaic technology and innovative placement of photovoltaic material on vehicles.  As the range improves this sub-segment can grow incrementally.

It will be interesting to see if the market for fully functional electric vehicles like the Leaf and Volt can similarly develop based on range specific use.  While some critics of electric vehicles seem to believe in an all or nothing approach when it comes to electric vehicle range, I think the STOV market demonstrates that there are niche markets based on the specific range needs of customers.  In both markets, instead of producing a “perfect” vehicle in terms of range from the start, there exists the possibility to incrementally grow the market as technology and vehicle range improves.  Learn more:  Domesticfuel.com

Utility Vehicle Technology Summit From IUV Magazine

IUV Magazine is presenting their Utility Vehicle Technology Summit as part of the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association annual convention being held in Phoenix, AZ from April 30th to May 4th.  The summit covers:

…the latest advances in special purpose vehicle design and engineering; battery and fuel cell technology; materials handling management and safety; the latest on government regulations; as well as product development information important to the emerging needs of the end-user.

The seminar format will allow for Q and A.  Learn more:  IUVSummit.com

Tomberlin Aggressively Markets Vanish Electric UTV

In the first of a series of marketing videos Tomberlin leaves no mystery, putting a name to their competition, the Bad Boy Buggies XTO.  Titling the video the “Tomberlin Shootout” (complete with spaghetti western intro music) Tomberlin conducts a range test, demonstrating the good performance of the Vanish and the bad and some might even say ugly performance of the Bad Boy Buggie XTO.  In the video the Vanish ends ups towing the Bad Boy Buggie and claims to consistently produce three times as much range as the Bad Boy Buggie XTO in Tomberin’s range test.  Learn more:  YouTube.com

 

Technology News

Traction Device Patent – I came across a recently awarded patent for a system for improving the traction of ATVs and utility in loose terrain.  In brief, a conical structure is attached to the wheels that helps add traction in loose terrain conditions but does not interfere with driving the vehicle in other conditions. US Patent 7,850,252

Drawing of Loose Terrain Traction Device

Drawing Of Loose Terrain Traction Device

 

Loose Terrain Traction Device

Patented Loose Terrain Traction Device Shown on an ATV

Learn more:  Full patent at US Patent Office

 

Wireless Charging System Installed – New Zealand based UniServices Ltd and Ove Arup & Partners, through their UK based subsidiary, HaloIPT, have installed the world’s first wireless charging system for electric vehicles in London.  The inductive power technology (IPT) allows vehicles equipped with receiver pads to automatically be charged when parked over transmission pads.  The technology is based upon magnetic fields and can work under asphalt, submerged in water or under snow.  Management expects to develop roadway embedded systems in the future to charge vehicles while they are moving.  Learn more:  Voxy.co.nz

Kandi COCOC LSV Receives Chinese Approval

Kandi Technologies COCO LSV recently qualified to be eligible for certain Chinese government energy programs.  The vehicles can now be marketed to Chinese consumers and government agencies and are available for various local and regional subsidies.  Management also formalized a partnership with China-based battery maker Tianneng Power International, Ltd. and Jinhua Bada Group, a subsidiary of State Grid Power Corp. to create China’s first Electric Vehicle battery replacement services company.  Kandi will make batteries available on a rental basis for their vehicles and the partnership will create a network of charging and battery replacement locations.  Learn more:  RTTNews.com

California Energy Commission Awards EV Grants

The California Energy Commission recently announced grants totaling $9.6 million for projects involving electric vehicle manufacturing, charging stations and biofuels.  Projects most relevant to the STOV market include:

  • $505,381 to San Francisco-based Mission Motor Company to help it bring its prototype electric vehicle battery packs and motor control modules to commercial production.  The components will work in electric motorcycles, scooters, cars, buses and outdoor power equipment.  The assembly facility in downtown San Francisco are expected to be capable of producing 30,000 battery packs and motor control systems each year by 2015,
  • $2,962,743 to Leyden Energy, Inc., for a production line capable assembling its lithium battery packs for its partner in the project, electric vehicle manufacturer Green Vehicles of Salinas.

The companies receiving the grants are providing matching funding for their respective projects.  Learn more:  Favstocks.com