Category Archives: electric vehicles

Kandi COCOC LSV Receives Chinese Approval

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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

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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

Prototype Hydrogen Powered Utility Vehicles Developed

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A development team led by the Atlanta-based Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has developed two hydrogen powered utility vehicles for the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.  Other members of the team include the Center for Electromechanics (CEM) at The University of Texas at Austin, vehicle manufacturer Columbia ParCar, the Gas Technology Institute, and fuel cell producer Hydrogenics.  The electric utility vehicle uses a hybrid configuration with a 8.5kw fuel cell, ultracapacitors and a hydrogen supply.  The vehicle performance will be evaluated for one year at a military facility.  Initial testing of the vehicles indicates a range of 300 miles, far exceeding the typical 30-50 mile range of electric utility vehicles currently on the market.  Learn more:  Utexas.edu

Company News Briefs

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Cub Cadet Sponsors Design Contest – Outdoor Power equipment maker Cub Cadet is sponsoring the Cub Cadet Future Vision Design Contest.  The contest is open to anyone with a vision for futuristic lawn mowers, tractors or utility vehicles.  Learn more:  Designcrave.com

Yamaha’s Kevin Norcross Gets Expanded Duties – Yamaha Golf-Car Company has put Kevin Norcross in charge of their National Direct Sales team.  The new duties will be in addition to his current work as Marketing Department Manager.  Learn more:  Worldgolf.com

Ladybug Resource Acquires Mag International – Ladybug Resource, a company that acquires and licenses technologies, patents, patents-pending and trade secrets in the energy, health and intellectual property sectors, has acquired controlling interest in Mag International, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of gasoline and electric mini-utility vehicles.  Learn more:  Tradingmarkets.com

ZAP and Remy Electric Motors Partner – Remy Electric Motors will be the new electric motor suppler for ZAP.  The companies will also work together on developing a drivetrain for other ZAP automotive platforms and for vehicles related to ZAP’s joint venture in China.  Learn more:  Indianapressreeleases.com

Toro Partners To Demonstrate Fuel Cell Powered UTV

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Toro was recently selected by ATK, an aerospace and defense company, to help them build two fuel cell powered utility vehicles that feature advanced hydrogen storage.  The vehicles are part of an effort  by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to coordinate hydrogen storage development for the U.S. Department of Energy.  Previously Toro participated in a three-year demonstration project with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) that used three prototype hydrogen-powered Workman utility vehicles at parks and a government center for work and haulage duties and personnel transport.  The vehicles will be delivered later this fall and operational and performance data will be collected for one year.  Learn more:  Marketwatch.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

Arboretum Mini-truck – The Secrest Arboretum at Ohio State University now uses a Mag International Electric MAG XC mini-truck instead of a full-sized pickup for general work and maintenance.  While helping to meet the university’s sustainability goals, the vehicles can also access areas a pick-up cannot and produces much less noise, which is a plus for the facilities nature walks, gardening classes and other events.  The only downsides are a less than roomy cab and increased battery drain when used on hilly terrain.  Learn more:  Media-newswire.com

Solar Electric Shuttle – Pelican Bay Foundation recently unveiled their solar electric tram system using vehicles from Eco Trans Alliance and Cruise Cars.  The system uses 40 vehicles to shuttle visitors around the 43 acres of park.  Learn more: PRWeb.com

Insurance Company Formed To Serve LSV & Golf Car Markets

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Chad Boozer and Jerod Summer have formed LSV Insurance, LLC specifically to offer insurance for the LSV and golf car markets.  The new company offers personal auto protection insurance for the LSV consumer and general liability and inventory coverage for dealers.  Free rate quotes are available on their website, www.lsvinsurancellc.com.  The company currently offers policies in SC, NC and GA with plans to expand into FL and MI.  Learn more:  Golfcarnews.com

Ev Manufacturer Barefoot Motors To Close Doors

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Barefoot Motors a manufacturer of electric utility vehicles based in Ashland, OR announced that they will be closing their doors by the end of the year.  According to a statement from CEO Mary Gresens,

Due to a critical interruption in our supply chain which has resulted in a review of our business model, Barefoot Motors LLC will no longer produce and offer the present products. The facility in Ashland is being ramped down and will be closed by the end of the year.

Learn more:  Barefootmotors.com

This is the second company this year in the STOV market that has closed their doors.  Earlier in the summer BG Automotive Group which had plans to build an LSV and then full-size electric vehicles also closed.  Learn more:  Green.autoblog.com

Polaris Reports Strong 3Q Results

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Polaris Industries reported strong third quarter results as the company continues to perform well in a struggling economic environment.  Compared to last year’s numbers total sales increased 25% for the first nine months and 33% for the last three months, indicating increasing momentum as the year has progressed.  In the off-road segment sales increased 33% compared to the first nine months in 2009 and 49% for the last three months.  Management reported a generally positive reaction from dealers to their new product introductions and that they gained market share during the quarter.  Unit sales in this segment which includes ATVs and side-by-sides increased 20% in the 3rd quarter compared to last year with side-by-side growing by over 20% and ATVs experiencing a single digit increase.  Learn more:  Businesswire.com

Vehicle OEM News

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Kubota Introduces Two UTVs in Australia – Kubota Tractor Australia recently introduced the diesel powered RTV1140 and the gas  powered RTV500.  The RV1140 features four-wheel drive and a 28.5 hp engine along with 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, hydrostatic power steering and hydraulic bed lift as standard.  The smaller RTV500 features electronic fuel injection, a 200 kg payload and can easily be transported to work areas.  Learn more:  Fatcow.com.au

AVID Vehicles e-Warrior

AVID Vehicles e-Warrior

AVID Vehicles of the UK Launches Electric UTV – AVID Vehicles based in Cramlington, UK recently launched their e-Warrior electric utility vehicle.  The vehicle features dual DC motors, a range of 40 miles, a top speed of 25 to 30mph  and a 250kg payload.  MSRP is US$15,600.  The company plans to produce 500 vehicles in 2011 and 1,000 in 2012.  Learn more:  Greencarcongress Journallive.co.uk

LSV Maker Wheego Unveils Full-speed EV – Wheego Electric Cars, manufacturer of the Wheego Whip LSV, will unveil the two-seat subcompact Wheego LiFe at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.  The car has a 100 mile range, 20 kWh Li-ion battery pack and a MSRP of $32,995.  Learn more:  Greencarcongress.com