CARB Launches Rebate Program For Electric UTVs For Agriculture

Posted on May 6, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Earlier this week the California Air Resources Board announced they would start?? taking rebate applications for their Agricultural UTV Rebate
Project which targets electric UTVs for agricultural operations.?? Eligible vehicles will qualify for a rebate of 15% of MSRP up to $2,500.?? Manufacturers currently with models eligible for rebates include Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, Polaris Industries, John Deere and ZAP.?? Rebates for models on the eligible list range from $825 to $1,950.

To receive a rebate the purchaser must be classified as a California agricultural operation.?? The statewide program is being administered by the San Joquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and has nearly $1 million available for rebates.???? Rebates?? are given on a first come first serve basis and there is no limit on the number of vehicles for which a purchaser can receive a rebate.?? Only new vehicles qualify.

A rough calculation, assuming an average rebate of around $1,600 per vehicle, means over 600 vehicles will be covered by the program.?? This would represent a sizable share of the electric UTV market. ?? Learn more:?? Valleyair.org

STOV Industry Developments

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Marc Cesare

My colleague Stephen Metzger has written a pair of articles for IUV magazine. The first is a recap of what he learned at the recent PGA Show and Golf Industry Show. Some of the themes he touches on in the article include:

New developments from E-Z-Go, Club Car and Yamaha
New vehicles in the heavy utility segment from John Deere, Toro & Cushman
Action in the LSV market from Tomberlin and others
Improvements from Chinese manufacturers
Advances in components and batteries

Learn more: IUVMag.com

In the second article he puts some numbers to the recession induced downturn in the STOV market. He notes that at the same time vehicle improvements and innovation continue to occur, as well as a broadening of the applications for these vehicles. Learn more: IUVMag.com

Wisconsin Purchases 23 LSVs For State Parks

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced the purchase of 23 electric powered LSVs for use in 22 state parks.?? The department purchased the vehicles from e-Ride Industries of Minnesota and Columbia ParCar of Wisconsin.?? The vehicles have a utility vehicle configuration and feature enclosed cabs.?? Parks management noted the low operating costs of the vehicles and lack of air pollution they produce.?? Learn more:?? NBC15.com

New Electric Vehicle Dealerships Open

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Marc Cesare

While last month I noted the closing of some electric vehicle dealerships in the?? San Francisco area, this month openings are the story.?? In Fresno, Ca a new Tomberlin dealership has opened.?? Valelectricar is the official authorized Tomberlin dealer for central California.?? The Tomberlin vehicles are eligible for the 10% Federal tax credit.?? Learn more:?? thebusinessjournal.com

Meanwhile in Charleston, South Carolina Current Electric Vehicles opened.?? They will be?? offering Korean made CT&T’s e-Zone and c-Zone vehicles.???? The dealership currently has a dozen vehicles in stock now and expects to carry up to 60 vehicles in inventory eventually.?? They have already received an order for 20 vehicles from a local tourist business and the local police department was presented with a vehicle.?? CT&T is looking into opening an assembly plant in nearby Duncan, NC.?? Learn more:?? Postandcourier.com

GatorMoto Announces New LSV Utility Vehicle

Posted on April 24, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Following an ongoing market trend of manufacturers producing street legal utility vehicles, GatorMoto Utility Vehicles recently announced?? the Electro Bubble Buddy Mountaineer LSV.

With a 72 volt engine with DC converter to 12 volts, 5 speed electric transmission, front axle independent suspension, integrative rear axle with leaf spring and vibration absorber, rack and pinon steering with automatic rocker compensating function and front disc brake and rear drum brake with hydraulic system, this vehicle is the choice of municipalities, police, EMTs, fire departments and other applications which require more torque in the engine.?? It can also be ordered with optional LED emergency light bars.?? Other available options include custom graphics, custom body color, storage cover, quick charging system, DVD player with monitor, and back up cameras.

The Electro Buddy Mountaineer LSV features a Curtis Controller, Trojan 105 batteries, 12:49:1 axle ratio for climbing, AM/FM/CD with speakers, two-tone paint scheme,??rear lockable trunk, DOT approved seat belts, AS-1 certified windshield, and 2 on board charger units.?? Black vinyl captains chairs with adjustable backs and adjustable formed arm rests provide comfortable seating for up to four passengers.

The vehicle has an MSRP of $17,900.00 and the 5 kW model is eligible for the 10% federal tax credit.?? Learn more:?? Gatormotoutilityvehicles.com

Club Car Produces Two Millionth Vehicle

Posted on April 24, 2010 by Marc Cesare

On Earth Day Club Car’s two millionth vehicle rolled of the production line. Appropriately, it was the eco-friendly zero emission Villager LSV.?? LSV’s are a recent addition to the Club Car line-up of golf cars and utility vehicles.

The ceremony was attended by Club Car associates, executives from parent company Ingersoll Rand and a number of local political and civic leaders.?? Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver read a proclamation that declared April 22, 2010 ???Club Car Day in Augusta.???

The event coincided with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the global celebration of environmental awareness. In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, Ingersoll Rand on Thursday launched its Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CEES). The center will focus on identifying and implementiing best practices for the long-term use of energy and other resources for customers and communities.

Learn more:?? Clubcar.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Marc Cesare

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

GEMs At San Diego International Airport

Airport Transport & Utility – As part of celebrating the upcoming Earth Day San Diego International Airport recently highlighted their use of electric powered LSVs and utility vehicles.?? Their fleet of fourteen vehicles include 10 GEMs and 4 Taylor-Dunn vehicles in two and four passenger configurations, as well as utility configurations.?? The vehicles are part of the airport’s overall “green” strategy.?? Officials estimate that the vehicles save them 80% in fuel costs compared to using gas-powered vehicles for the same work.?? Learn more:?? Examiner.com

Sevcon To Supply Controls For Polaris Ranger EV

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Sevcon, Inc. announced that they will be providing controls for the recently launched Polaris Ranger EV, an electric powered utility vehicle.?? The AC motor controllers, branded Gen 4, are the latest version developed by Sevcon specifically for electric vehicles.?? The controls will manage the operation of both the motor and regenerative braking system.?? Learn more:???? Allbusiness.com

Vehicle Reviews

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Here are a couple of electric vehicle reviews covering both ends of the STOV spectrum.

: Tazzari Zero

The first is a review of the Tazzari Zero, a high end, sporty commuter vehicle.?? Priced at $31,000, the vehicle is capable of highway speeds but has not completed DOT crash testing, and therefore is a high priced low speed vehicle.?? Learn more:?? Foxnews.com

The second review is of the Polaris Ranger EV, a recent entry into the electric utility vehicle segment.?? The Ranger EV is based on the chassis of the gas powered Ranger 400.?? It features a 11.5kw battery pack of Trojan batteries, a 30hp motor and a range of 25 to 50 miles depending on the driving mode selected.?? Learn more:?? Hortweek.com

Stealth Manufacturing Moving To Georgia