Category Archives: electric vehicles

STOV Technology Developments

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I came across some new technology developments that have potential applications in the STOV market.

EV Platform for STOV Applications

Trexa EV Platform

The first is a new lithium-powered all-wheel-drive platform developed by Trexa.?? One area the company is specifically targeting with the platform is STOV for commercial, military and municipal fleets.?? The platform is made with with carbon steel tubing, aluminum and fiber-reinforced thermoplastics.?? Trexa claims the lithium iron phosphate battery system is capable of range up to 105 miles with dual motors and a top speed of 100 mph.?? The platform features a built-in 6 kW charger?? that recharges the batteries in four hours and has the flexibility to accommodate other charging options.?? Learn more:?? Blueplanetnews.com

Ultracapacitor Cells for EV Applications

Ioxus, Inc. has introduced a new family of electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLC) for transportation and utility applications.?? The company claims the 1,000-, 3,000- and 5,000-Farad (F) ultracapacitors are smaller in size with increased energy and power density than others on the market.?? The products can be used as the only energy storage device or in combination with other devices such as batteries.?? According to the company the 1,000F unit offers the same maximum power as competitive 1,200F products with 24% less volume.?? This size is targeted towards golf-car type vehicles and utility vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress.com

South Korea Opens Roads To NEVS

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In line with a previous announcement to target the development of electric vehicles, the Ministry Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs posted revisions to road use regulations that will allow for the operation of NEVs on public roads.

…NEVs, electric vehicles with less than 60 kilometers per hour maximum speed that weigh less than 1,100 kilograms, will be allowed to run on roads designated by the mayors of local administrative authorities…

In addition, NEV crash tests will be conducted at 40 km/hr instead of the standard 48.3 km/hr.?? Learn more:?? Koreaherald.co.kr

Charging Stations Gaining Momentum

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Over the last year there have been a number of stories regarding the installation of charging stations. There seems to be an upward trend with regards to charging stations. One example of this is in Hawaii where Green Energy Outlet has just opened up a new charging station. Initially it will be free for electric vehicles such as electric bikes, mopeds, Segways and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs). Later users will be able to pay by either waving a smart card (RFID) in front of the device, or by placing a Toll Free call to activate the charge. Learn more: Tradingmarkets.com

Another story tells about the Lehigh Valley Mall where three outlets are provided for use by hybrid electric vehicles. Learn more: MCall.com

UPDATE: Coulomb Technologies Installs Charging Stations in Washington: Coulomb Technologies recently announced the installation of their Chargepoint Networked Charging Station at a supermarket in Washington. Charging is free and hopes are that some of the approximately 1,000 plug-in electric vehicles in Washington, which includes conversions, plug-in hybrid conversions, neighborhood electric vehicles and electric motorbikes will be able to use the station. The close proximity of many electric vehicle owners and the fact that the many o the supermarkets customers shop multiple times per week factored into the location decision. Learn more: Newsblaze.com

Company News

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Global Electric Motorcars – Has produced a commercial to promote their vehicles and the federal tax incentives that are currently available for them.?? Learn more & see the commercial:?? Zachmarion.com

Valence Technology – Has won a $3.1 million contract to supply the Tanfield Group’s Smith Electric Vehicles with lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries for their electric trucks.?? The company also supplies batteries for Tanfield’s joint venture in the US, Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation, that makes similar trucks.?? Learn more:?? Streetinsider.com

CT&T – Bavarian Luxury Auto Sales LLC has become the first dealer to carry their vehicles in South Carolina, the e-Zone LSV.?? Learn more:?? Poastandcourier.com Comment: – What is interesting is that while CT&T has generated a lot of press I have not come across too much hard evidence related to actual vehicle sales.?? This may be?? a start. – Marc Cesare

Polaris Defense Introduces LSV For Military Market

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New Polaris EV LSV For The Military Market

Earlier this week Polaris Industries Defense division introduced the Polaris EV LSV which is targeting the military market and other government agencies.?? The vehicle is based on the Range EV utility vehicle.?? Key features besides basic LSV requirements include:

  • 48 volt AC induction motor with 30 horsepower
  • 50 mile range and 25 mph top speed
  • Three driving modes:?? High for speed, Low for towing and hauling, and Max for maximum range
  • 1,000-pound payload capacity
  • 1,250 lbs. of towing capacity

The Polaris EV LSV will enable the company to bid for the contracts that the various US Armed Forces have started to award for LSVs.?? These contracts could be for as many as 30,000 vehicles over the next 5 to 10 years. Columbia ParCar has won contracts for almost 1,000 LSVs in the past year.?? In presentations for investors Polaris has pointed to the military market a an important growth driver for the company.?? Learn more:?? PolarisIndustries.com

On a related?? note, in October, 2009 Polaris Defense was awarded a $2.4 million contract by the National Guard Bureau for their Ranger 800 Crew utility vehicles.?? This contract probably represents about 200 vehicles.?? Learn more:?? MSN.com

Comment: This vehicle introduction continues a trend of utility vehicle manufacturers making their rough terrain utility vehicles LSV compliant.?? Others that have done so previously include Bad Boy Enterprises, Stealth, HuntVe and Titan.?? You might consider these crossover LSVs.?? Although this market is in part driven by recent government tax cuts, I believe the need is real for a versatile vehicle that can handle rough terrain as well as street duties.?? While Polaris is targeting the military market, their vehicle can easily be sold into this crossover market on the consumer side. – Marc Cesare

Company News

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Nivel Holdings – At the end of 2009 Nivel Holdings completed their acquisition of Jake’s Carts, a leading provider of lift kits for the golf car market.?? The company has become a subsidiary of Nivel Parts.?? Learn more:?? Golfcarnews.com

Kandi Technologies Corporation –has entered into an alliance with China Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power, Ltd. and Tianneng Power International, Ltd with a goal of mass producing electric vehicles. The alliance combines the IT equipment and service of CNOOC, battery production from Tianneng Power International, vehicle production from Kandi as well as governmental support.?? Kandi produces the COCO LSV.?? Part of vehicle concept focuses on easy battery removal and replacement and battery rentals.?? Learn more:?? Worldmarketmedia.com

Ameritex – will supply canvas doors for GEM vehicles.?? The company is a division of Taylor Made which designs and manufactures windshields.?? Ameritex is trying to diversify their business which has suffered from the downturn in the marine industry and is investigating the resort, consumer, recreational vehicle and golf cart industries.
Learn more: Tampabay.bizjournals.com

Illinois LSV Goes Into Effect

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On January 1 a new LSV law went into effect in Illinois.?? There are two basic parts to the law:?? first LSVs will now have to be titled and registered with the state; the second and more interesting part is that LSVs will be allowed to travel on any roads with posted speed limites of 30 mph or less unless specifically prohibited by a municipality.

This essentially creates LSV road access as the default policy.?? I believe this is the first state to do so.?? Other states have allowed similar access but with the added step that municipalities had to pass ordinances to explicitly allow LSV access.?? This requires a certain level of initiative and interest by local officials to write and pass the ordinances.?? The law should provide a boost to LSV sales in Illinois and may spur other states to adopt similar legislation.??– Marc Cesare

Learn more:?? www.connecttristates.com

Company News

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Polaris – The Ranger HD has been named the “Best of the Best” by Field & Stream magazine. Learn more:?? UTVWeekly.com

Nemo Motors – As part of a pilot project started in early 2009 Nemo Motors recently delivered an electric truck to the Quebec government.?? The company is headqurtered in Redwood City, CA but produces vehicle in Quebec.?? Learn more:?? Sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com

ZAP Forms Joint Venture In China

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ZAP has announced that it has entered into the China Electric Vehicle market with Holley Group.?? The two companies have entered into a joint venture in China from venture capital firm Better World International.?? The joint venture company is named ZAP Hangzhou, and is intended to design and manufacture electric vehicles, in addition to developing infrastructure technology for the Chinese market. Learn more:?? transworldnews.com

Road Use Regulations Roundup – December

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Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

  • Continued passage of ordinances allowing?? LSVs and/or golf cars on local streets
  • Municipalities considering regulations that will allow the use of LSVs as taxis or rental vehicles
  • Trends towards expansion or restriction, depending on the locality, regarding the use of UTVs and/or mini-trucks on public streets

Illinois – Effective January 2010 Illinois will allow low-speed vehicles on any road with a posted limit of 30 mph or lower, effective January 2010. Previously, individual communities had to adopt laws to permit the use of low-speed vehicles on local roads.

Orting, WA – Passed an ordinance to allow golf cars on city streets as part of a one year pilot program.

Manhattan, KS – Amendment allows citizens may operate golf carts and ???work-site utility vehicles??? on city streets marked with speed limits of 30 mph or less.

Austin, TX – City officials considering legislation that would allow the use of LSVs as taxis in downtown area.

Austin, MN – Responding to farmer requests, Mower County officials drafted an ordinance that allows the use of mini-trucks on county and township roads.

Ocean City, NJ – City council voted to allow local business to rent out LSVs.

Wisconsin – Two representatives from the state legislature are sponsoring a bill to allow the use of light utility vehicles on some public roads for agricultural purposes.

West Vancouver, CA – City officials pass ordinance allowing NEVs to be used on roads with speed limits of 50 km/hr or less.

Hamlin, West Virginia – Town council approved the changes to the town’s ordinance dealing with ATVs, utility-terrain-vehicles (UTVs) and off-road motorcycles that specifically prohibits the operation of the vehicles on any streets.

Oregon – Rule change requires that as of January 1, 2010 anyone under 18 years old riding in an off-highway vehicle such as a side by side will have to wear a helmet.