Last month Oklahoma’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of Tomberlin LSV owners, stating that their vehicles did qualify for the state’s EV tax credits. The state will now have to pay out on 753 Tomberlin related tax credits. The legal maneuverings took two years. Learn more: Hybridcars.com
A research paper recently published by two Columbia University doctoral students examined the perception of vehicle range requirements in relation to actual driving habits. What they discovered is that while consumers are looking for a 272 mile range to consider purchasing an electric vehicle, driving habits suggest this is overkill by a wide margin. In line with previous figures on driving habits, actual trips are much shorter with 10% under a mile, 95% under 30 miles and 99% under 70 miles. These obviously fall well under the 272 mile range and show that current highway capable EVs could be used for most trips and even more with strategically placed charging stations. Even LSVs would be capable of handling a sizable portion of the trips. In addition the research showed that 64% of households with vehicles, owned two vehicles. This represents a sizable market for EVs or even LSVs as secondary vehicles.
Comment: I believe this is one reason the Volt is such an interesting vehicle. Not so much that it relieves the range anxiety but that owners, through their own driving experience, will discover how few trips they take will actually require more than the fully charged batteries. Anecdotally you hear of LSV owners using their highway capable vehicles even less than originally planned. Learn more: Treehugger.com
Poland based Melex has chosen Trojan Battery as their supplier for deep-cycle batteries for all their electric powered passenger and utility vehicles. Trojan’s Hydrolink watering system will also be used. Trojan’s T-105, T-125 and T-145 deep-cycle flooded batteries will be installed at the factory and be available for aftermarket purchases as well. Learn more: Golfcourseindustry.com
Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (PMMC), a Taiwan-based electric scooter manufacturer has developed products for the mini city car and minitruck markets. According to management they expect to ship 5,000 of the their “Achensa” branded all electric vehicles. Northern European markets such as the Netherland, France, Germany, and the U.K. are the first export markets being targeted. Small production runs are expected later this month or in June. Learn more: CENS.com
Ransomes Jacobsen has signed an agreement with Axiam Mega to become the sole importer into the UK of the Mega Professional line of eco-friendly utility trucks. The product line includes the Mega e-Worker electric truck and Multitruck 600 low emission diesel truck. Ransomes will continue distributing to the current network of Mega dealers in the UK and expects to expand distribution as well. Both company’s management see synergies between the Mega product line and the golf cars and utility vehicles sold under the E-Z-GO and Cushman brands. Learn more: Pitchcare.com
Polaris Adds Jobs – Polaris will be adding 89 jobs in their Osceola, WI plant for work related to their Indian Motorcycle and GEM product lines that were acquired last year. Work at the plant will include engine production for motorcycles and R&D for GEM vehicles. The company has also added 200 jobs over the last 18 months at their Spirit Lake facility which is ramping up to full production of Indian motorcycles and GEM vehicles. Learn more: Startribune.com
Campus Sustainability Drives Electrics – Washington State University is another example of how sustainability initiatives on campus are driving electric STOV purchases. The university recently purchased the three GEMs for transportation and general fleet use. The vehicles help the university meet the governor’s mandate that state entities reduce their carbon footprint. Learn more: News.wsu.edu
A Case For NEVs/LSVs – In this brief interview an author in the renewable energy space makes the case for NEVs/LSVs and the role for STOVs. Learn more: 2greenenergy.com
Unconquered Sun's EV Solar Roof product
Last monthWindsor, Canada based Unconquered Sun introduced a solar roof product for golf cars. Management states that the 260-watt EV Solar Roof can extend a golf car’s range by 30% and battery life by 25%. Golf course fleets are the initial target market but NEVs and golf cars for personal use offer additional markets. Learn more: Ourwindsor.ca
Polaris reported strong first quarter earnings for 2012 with record sales of $673.8 million. Key sales drivers were Ranger and RZR UTVs and Victory motorcycles across global markets. Some key takeaways from the earnings call:
For earnings call transcript: Seekingalpha.com
Renault Twizy 45
A law is pending in the UK that would allow unlicensed drivers 16 years or older to drive lightweight vehicles with a top speed of 28 mph. The Renault Twizy 45 would fit the bill. The vehicle costs just under $10,000 but insurance premiums are estimated to be as high as $6,000 for younger drivers. The details of the law are not finalized so Renault has not announced any marketing plans for the vehicle in the UK. Learn more: Hybridcars.com
Streamlight, Inc. is partnering with PowerFilm to provide flexible solar panels as an auxiliary power option for emergency responder vehicles. The PowerFilm panels would be used to power lights, computers, radios and other electrical components. Streamlight plans to begin selling the products next month. While their primary market appears to be full-size police vehicles, they also see potential in the utility and industrial vehicle markets as well. PowerFilm already supplies E-Z-GO with solar panels for their electric vehicles. Learn more: Desmoinesregister.com