Category Archives: electric vehicles

NJ Assembly Bills To Promote Electric Vehicles

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A package of bills are being proposed in the New Jersey State Assembly to support electric vehicles. They include tax credits and tax deductions for charging infrastructure and the purchase of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles as well as requirements for shopping center developers and the Turnpike Authority to install electric vehicle charging stations.

The most relevant for LSVs/NEVs are the tax credits for business and the tax deductions for individual tax payers for the purchase of electric vehicles.  According to the office of Assemblyman Daniel Benson, one of the bill sponsors, and my own reading of the bill, LSVs/NEVs would be eligible for these tax credits and deductions.  As currently written, for businesses, the tax credits would be available for three years starting with a $5,000 tax credit in year one, then declining to $3,000 in year two and $2,000 in year three.  For individuals the numbers are the same except it is a gross income tax deduction instead of a tax credit.  Learn more:  Paramuspost.com EV  Tax Credit/Deduction Bill

Update: The bills related to the tax credits and tax deductions for purchasing electric vehicles passed the Assembly on Thursday.  If the bills are passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, the credits and deductions will start in 2012 and run through 2014.  Learn more:  Paramuspost.com

Clean Cities National Parks Initiative

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In 2010 Clean Cities partnered with the National Park Service to develop the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative to support the use of renewable and alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and other vehicle energy-saving practices to help preserve air quality and promote the use of domestic energy resources in the parks.  The program will run for five years and will have between $1 million and $5 million in funds available annually.  The funds can be used to:

  • Purchase electric drive, alternative fuel, and advanced technology vehicles
  • Install electric vehicle charging stations and other alternative fueling infrastructure
  • Implement petroleum-reduction programs, such as idle reduction
  • Educate park visitors, employees, and others about the benefits of using cleaner, more efficient vehicles and renewable and alternative fuels.

A number of parks have initiated projects including the purchase of electric LSVs and utility vehicles.  Learn more:  USDOE

Bad Boy Buggies Becomes NASCAR Sponsor

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In 2011 Bad Boy Buggies will sponsor both NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams at Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI).  Elliott Sadler and Clint Bowyer will drive Bad Boy Buggies branded vehicles in five races.  Bad Boy Buggies was recently acquired by Textron and the sponsorship is a sign that management is moving quickly to take advantage of the resources and connections of their new parent. Previously, Textron’s E-Z-Go subsidiary has sponsored  KHI vehicles in the same NASCAR race series.  Learn more:  Speedwaymedia.com

Ingersoll Rand Reports Earnings

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Ingersoll Rand, parent company of Club Car, announced 4Q 2010 and full year earnings.

The company’s reported revenues increased 13 percent to $3,712 million, compared with revenues of $3,281 million for the 2009 fourth quarter. Total revenues excluding currency were up 14 percent, compared with 2009. … Full-year 2010 net revenues were $14,079 million, and increased 7 percent compared with reported net revenues of $13,102 million in 2009. Operating income for 2010 totaled $1,247 million, an increase of 43 percent compared with $872 million in 2009.

Relative to the rest of the company, Club Car underperformed.

Club Car revenues increased slightly compared with the fourth quarter of 2009, as increased sales for both golf cars and aftermarket were partially offset by declines in utility vehicles. Bookings declined due to slowing demand in the North American golf market and more difficult year-over-year comparisons.

Learn more:  IEWY.com

UTV-Based Ocean Rescue Unit For US Navy

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Kimtek Ocean Rescue Unit for US Navy based on Polaris UTV

Ocean Rescue Unit for US Navy

Kimtek Corporation has developed an ocean rescue unit for the US Navy based on a Polaris Ranger Crew UTV.  Kimtek added their Emergency Utility Vehicle (EUV) conversion and the KIMTEK MEDLITE Transport MTD-10 mounted in the cargo area.  Key features include:

…an all aluminum skid chassis with bright diamond plate, storage area with tailgate, rescue area to secure long board or stokes basket (not included) for patient transport, two ambulance grade stainless steel rescue grab bars, 3-position guide lock seat with seat belt, slide out tray in storage area, oxygen bottle holder, retractable IV pole, third attendant rail, and a quick disconnect mounting system. The special Ocean Rescue unit also features a WHELEN lighting/siren/PA package with exterior mounted speaker, full function control head, remote siren; two red LED body mounted strobes, a ROPS mounted Red LED strobe; three ROPS mounted scene lights (2 front and 1 rear facing); NFPA style reflective body stripe package with customized lettering package; two portable radio holders; and a mounted five pound ABC fire extinguisher.

Late last year Kimtek also introduced the MEDLITE™ Transport EV, a custom skid unit designed for the new Polaris Ranger EV.  The unit allows emergency personnel to more easily operate in crowds and not expose patients and others to exhaust fumes.

Learn more:  sxsnews.com and Kimtekresearch.com

Fairplay Recalls LSVs

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Fairplay Electric Cars has announced a recall of some of their EVE LSVs for the 2010 and 2011 model years.  The recall affects 1,632 vehicles manufacturered between July 31, 2009 through Dec. 27, 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A fuse specified to be in the 12V accessory circuit was not built into the wiring harness. The fuse value on the input to the voltage reducer was too large to prevent possible damage.  There was no fuse inserted in the 12-volt circuit. Without this fuse for protection, a short in any portion of the 12V wiring can melt wire insulation and pose a fire risk.

Fairplay will be contacting owners regarding the recall starting Feb. 17th or they can be reached at (866) 557-0342.  Repairs will be made by dealers free of charge.  Learn more:  Safercar.gov

 

Tata Launches Electric Mini Truck

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Indian manufacturer Tata is planning on launching an electric mini truck based on their Ace light commercial vehicle in March 2011.  The UK will be the first market followed by Scandinavia.

The zero emission Ace is powered by an 85 Ah battery that produces 25kW of maximum power and a top speed of 25mph. With only a 25 mile range, on the European Combined Drive Cycle, the Ace EV is designed primarily for use by Local Authorities in town centres, parks and university campuses.

The vehicle will initially be sold directly to customers from the manufacturer.  Learn more:  Articledatabase.com

New Transmission To Improve Small EV Performance

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Fallbrook Technologies NuVinci Transmission

Fallbrook Technologies NuVinci Transmission Technology

Fallbrook Technologies and TEAM Industries are collaborating to produce a new transmission for small electric vehicles such as golf cars and LSVs.  They will be supplying Tomberlin with the new transmissions starting with a prototype for their Anvil LSV.  Fallbrook is bringing their NuVinci transmission technology to the collaboration while TEAM Industries has experience in designing and manufacturing drivetrains for small recreational and off-road vehicles.  I spoke with Tomberlin and while they do not have a set date for an Anvil with the new technology to hit dealer showrooms they are looking to move to market as soon as possible.

The NuVinci design is similar to “toroidal” continuously variable transmission but Fallbrook CEO claims states that the NuVinci design “…has about half the number of parts as a typical CVT, and that it will ultimately be able to produce its EV powertrain for about half the price.”   Fallbrook refers to the Nuvinci as a variable planetary transmission (CVP), which uses a set of tilting and rotating balls to effect a continuously variable transmission ratio.  Last month Fallbrook reported that it raised about $39 million in equity financing, giving the San Diego-based company a total of about $95 million in financing since 2000.  Learn more:  Autoobserver.com

On a related note TEAM Industries recently received their 10th patent for electronics and control algorithm for TEAM’s SmartLocker electronic traction control differential system which is used for light automotive, recreational and off-road vehicles.

On surfaces with good traction, a vehicle equipped with the SmartLocker system will stay in 2-wheel drive with a turf-friendly, easy steering, open differential. On slippery surfaces, the system will detect the amount of slip and automatically decide whether to send power to the front wheels and decide how tight to lock the differential(s).

Management reports that the technology will be in a vehicle in the spring of this year.  Learn more:  Bemidjipioneer.com

What’s Cooking on the STOV

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Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

Pheasant Gamekeeper UTV – Park House Pheasantries in the UK uses three Kubota RTV900’s to manage their gamekeeping operation which involves rearing up to 50,000 pheasants a year for small to large shoots.  The UTVs are used for a variety of tasks including game crop spraying with a front mounted sprayer, hauling feed, dumping gravel, pulling out stuck vehicles and transporting dogs.  Besides the horsepower, ground clearance and power steering the owner purchased the street legal version of the vehicle to provide additional flexibility.  Learn more:  Constructionnewsportal.com

LSV Police Patrol Vehicles – The Wetumpka Police Department in Alabama recently purchased two GEMs for use at community events and patrolling select neighborhoods.  Obtained with grant money, the department likes the smaller size and relatively silent vehicles for nighttime patrols and community events.  They also expect to save money on fuel and maintenance costs.  Learn more: Blog.al.com

Rural Real Estate Selling – A Wisconsin real estate agent specializing in selling properties for hunting, recreation and rural homes uses a Polaris Ranger to show clients around various properties.  The rural and sometimes large size of the tracts require a vehicle with off-road capabilities to provide clients with an up close look at the properties.  Learn more:  Wisconsin State Journal

Park Maintenance – Wisconsin’s state parks department recently purchased 15 E-Ride electric vehicles from E-Ride Industries for cleaning and maintenance at parks around the state. Some units were customized with full-length aluminum enclosures to protect the payload.  Compared to the full-size trucks they replace, the vehicles cost less up front to purchase, have lower fuel costs, lower maintenance costs and a smaller carbon footprint.  In addition, the parks department has received positive feedback regarding the vehicles from park visitors.  Learn more:  WisBusiness.com

California Energy Commission EV Rebates

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The California Air Resources Board recently announced that $2 million will be available for the California Energy Commission’s 2011 clean vehicle rebate program.  Unfortunately for the LSV market, only vehicles that can carry four passengers and operate at highway speeds will be eligible for the rebates.  Program managers report that in 2010 $1.4 million in vehicle rebates were distributed for 213 vehicles including:

  • 108 Zero Emission Vehicles (LEAFs, Tesla Roadsters, and a handful of Honda Clarity fuel cell cars)
  • 38 Commercial Zero Emission Vehicles (from Smith, Navistar, and EVI)
  • 30 Neighborhood Electric Vehicles
  • 37 Zero Emission Motorcycles

Learn more:  Plugincars.com