In July the Chicago Office of Fleet Management installed a solar powered recharging station on the banks of the Chicago River near the borders of Logan Square and Lincoln Park. The station will be used by the city’s fleet of seven NEVs as well as nearly 100 Segways and a hybrid vehicle. According to the city the power station produces about 10 kilowatts of power on a sunny day or enough to recharge approximately 10 Segway vehicles. Learn more: Medill Reports Chicago
Category Archives: electric vehicles
Tampa Allows Free NEV Service To Return
The Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission voted to rescind their earlier decision that effectively stopped NEVs from being offered for free transportation.?? The vehicles charged no fee for short rides in the downtown area but sold advertising and allowed drivers to accept tips.?? The service angered local taxi drivers and the commission passed an earlier ruling halting the service.?? There is some disagreement over the commission’s right to regulate the vehicles since they may not technically be taxis since they are free.?? The commission is trying to obtain a legal ruling in that regard, and establish some regulatory procedures.?? While that process moves forward, they are asking NEV operators to voluntarily follow some safety and insurance guidelines.?? Learn more:?? Tampabay.com
GEM Electric Vehicles Now Qualify For Plug-In Tax Credit
Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) recently announced that GEM vehicles
…have been certified to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for the Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit, part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
The credit is available for new vehicles purchased in 2009 and applies to models from 2007, 2008 or 2009.?? The tax credits by model are as follows:
GEM e2 – $3,751.00
GEM e4 – $3,751.00
GEM e6 – $3,751.00 (with 12-volt batteries)
GEM e6 – $5,002.00 (with 8-volt batteries)
GEM eS – $3,751.00
GEM eL – $3,751.00
GEM eL XD – $5,002.00
It appears that the GEM may also still be eligible for the separate LSV tax credit (10% of price up to $2,500). I will try to confirm this. Learn more:?? GEM
Comment: This is a major change in the market as the tax credit will cut the cost of the GEMs significantly, some models in half, for commercial customers looking for utility vehicles and for individuals looking purchasing for personal transportation. For the latter, the vehicles will now be on par or close to the cost of golf cars.?? It will be interesting to see if other LSV/NEV manufacturers become certified for the tax credit.?? Other manufacturers could be at a distinct disadvantage if they do not qualify for the tax credit as well.?? Originally LSVs qualified for the plug-in tax credit then they were excluded and given a separate tax credit. – Marc Cesare
What’s Cooking On The STOV
Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles
Border Patrol: A sheriff’s office in Maine recently used a Department of Homeland Security grant to purchase a Yamaha Rhino to patrol the border with Canada. The vehicle is used to monitor remote border entrances for illegal drug trafficking and other activity and replaces the use of ATVs. The latter required officers to travel in pairs for safety reasons since the vehicles were not as stable. The grant is part of Homeland Security’s Stonegarden Operation which is sending $60 million to local law enforcement in border states to supplement federal border protection efforts. The funds are for both equipment and payroll. Learn more: Morningsentinel.mainetoday.com
NEV Tourist Rentals: An Austin, TX entrepreneur has recently launched E-Cars of Austin to provide NEVs around the city for tourists to rent. The rental fleet currently consists of six GEMs that will be placed in various downtown locations and will be available to rent for $30 for one hour or $50 for two hours. The plan is to eventually have two vehicles at each of 10 downtown hotels. Learn more: AustinBusinessJournal
Meter Reading: Silver City, NM has purchased two LSV utility trucks from Miles Electric Vehicles for use by the town’s meter readers.?? The meter readers travel around 24,000 miles each year.?? Town officials expect to save on maintenance and operating costs over the years compared to the current vehicles being used.?? Learn more:?? Silver City Sun News
ZENN Reports Sharp Drop In Vehicle Sales
In the third quarter ending June 30, 2009 ZENN Motor Co. reported selling just 19 vehicles compared to 67 for Q3 2008.?? This is slightly more than the previous quarter when only 16 vehicles were sold compared to 54 the prior year.?? In the first half of 2009 ZENN has now sold a total of 35 vehicles compared to 121 in the first half of 2008.?? This a decrease in unit sales of 86 or 71% from the prior year.?? The management points to the decline in the overall economy as well as lower fuel prices as key factors in the decline.?? Learn more:?? Reuters.com
Long Drive Solar Looking To Supply LSVs To Atlanta Area Developments
Long Drive Solar a marketer of solar-powered LSVs from Cruise Cars is in talks with the Jacoby Group to provide the vehicles for two of Jacoby’s real estate development projects.?? One project is the Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta and the other is the Aerotropolis Atlanta near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.?? The deal would involve potentially hundreds of vehicle according to the companies.?? The Jacoby Group is considering offering vehicles as an incentive for those purchasing condos in the developments.?? Long Drive Solar’s management also stated that they are “…in negotiations to supply about 3,000 solar LSVs to a nonprofit in Oklahoma.”?? Learn more:?? Atlanta Business Chronicle
Wheego Electric Cars Raises An Additional $1.2 Million
Wheego Electric Cars, maker of the Wheego Whip, recently announced that the company had raised an additional $1.2 million from existing investors.?? The Whip is expected to be available next month as a low speed vehicle or medium speed vehicle.?? Next year, after crash testing is completed, the company hopes to sell the Whip as a full speed vehicle.?? Management expects to sell 1,000 of the LSV/MSV version in the first year as they build up their dealership network to 50 dealers.?? The vehicle has an MSRP of $18,500 but is also eligible for federal tax credits.?? Learn more:?? Atlanta Business Chronicle
Comment: Selling 1,000 of these vehicles in the first year appears to be ambitious given the economy and currently lower gas prices.?? ZENN recently announced a sharp decrease in sales of their LSV which has a similar price point.?? In addition, interviews I’ve conducted with electric vehicle dealers for an upcoming study also indicate a poor sales environment. MC
SolarMotion Laboratories Partners With Southwest Section PGA
Arizona based SolarMotion Laboratories has become a Technology Sponsor?? of the Southwest Section PGA.?? The company makes solar powered golf car roofs that are compatible with golf cars from the three leading manufacturers, E-Z-Go, Club Car and Yamaha.?? SolarMotion plans to launch their product in the next two months and the solar roofs will come with a four year warrantee.?? According to management, the company has partnered with Standard Renewable Energy and Kyocera Solar. Learn more:?? Russellchrist.wordpress.com
Golf Car Use In Small Towns Increasing?
A recent story from Courtland, Kansas highlights the use of golf cars in small towns.?? While not legal until the Kansas legislature passed a law earlier this year allowing for local ordinances, local law enforcement often looked the other way as the vehicles proved popular and practical.?? Gas prices and?? a clear set of rules have helped increase their usage.?? The state law also covers utility vehicles and mini-trucks.?? This story may be indicative of increasing usage in other states and municipalities that have passed similar ordinances in the past few years.?? Learn more:?? Salina.com
Modec & Navistar Forming A Joint Venture
Modec and Navistar recently announced that they will soon finalize a joint venture that will produce class 2c-3 commercial trucks.?? The trucks will have the Navistar brand and will be assembled in Indiana.?? Navistar recently won a $39.2 million grant from the US government’s Recovery Act funds targeting battery technology and electric vehicles.?? The grant will be used by the joint venture to develop 400 electric commercial trucks in 2010 with a range of 100 miles.?? In the following years the JV is expected to produce thousands of vehicles annually.?? Modec currently sells electric trucks to companies such as Fedex, UPS and supermarket chains.?? Learn more:?? Autogreenmag.com