Category Archives: electric vehicles

CT&T Announces Manufacturing & Distribution Approach To US Market

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CT&T, manufacturer of the eZone NEV, recently announced their Regional Assembly and Sales System (RASS) approach for selling electric vehicles in the US.?? RASS will utilize multiple assembly plants, each located near key electric vehicle markets.?? Vehicles will be?? assembled using parts sourced by CT&T.?? Retail networks will be developed by each RASS for their designated region.?? Each RASS is expected to cost between $8-$10 million to create according to management.?? Learn more:?? www.prweb.com

Comment: BG Automotive has also talked about building multiple assembly plants near key markets but has not mentioned separate retail networks as well. They are also still looking for funding to carry this out. – mc

Wheego Eyes Shuttered Car Dealerships

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According to reports the LSV manufacturer Wheego is looking at some of the recently closed car dealerships as an opportunity to build their distribution.

Wheego considers its cars the perfect product for these dealerships to preserve local employment and keep local economies from falling into further trouble.

As the story notes the dealerships may be too large for Wheego’s limited product line and some may be located in communities that do not allow LSVs.?? Learn more:?? Tech.blorge.com

CT & T Partners With Electric Vehicle Technology Manufacturers

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CT & T recently announced a joint venture with PUES Corporation and E-1 Technology.?? The joint venture is focused on bringing in-wheel direct drive motors and rapid charging technologies into the market.?? PUES and E-1 have already been working together towards commercializing the PUES technology.?? According to the report,

Electric vehicles with in-wheel motors are lighter weight (27 percent less than conventional motors), offer improved energy efficiency (by as much as 95 percent), better performance (doubled driving distance range) and increased power (from 2.5kw to 25kw).

CT & T produces the eZone NEV and has plans to offer a full range of electric vehicles from city cars to buses.?? The company is currently finalizing sites in the US for a North American headquarters, research center and manufacturing facilities.?? Learn more:?? www.swampfox.ws

Smith Electric Vehicles Wins $10M DOE Grant

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Smith Electric Vehicles has won a $10 million grant from the US Department of Energy for the production of all-electric, zero emissions commercial trucks for a nationwide demonstration project to validate performance across a range of climates and locations.?? Major purchasers of the vehicles include Coca-Cola, Staples, AT&T, PG & E, Kansas City Power and Light and Frito-Lay?? Learn more:?? PRnewswire.com

Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Ships First Newtons

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Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. recently delivered the first six trucks from their Kansas City based plant.?? The keys to the Smith Newtons were handed over during a ceremony at the Washington D.C. Mall.?? Companies receiving the trucks include Coca Cola, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T and two utilities, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Kansas City Power and Light.

The Smith Newton features a 120KW motor powered by lithium-ion batteries and has a top speed of 80 km/h and a range in excess of 160 km on a full charge. It can be recharged in six hours. Learn more:?? Sacarfan.co.az

Roush Electric Vehicle In Limbo

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Roush Electric Vehicle

Roush Electric Vehicle

The Roush Electric Vehicle produced by Roush Industries is essentially a small pick-up truck that conforms to most LSV/NEV standards except GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).?? With a payload capacity of 1,100 pounds the REV has a GVWR of almost 4,000 lbs which is well over the 3,000 lb limit put forth in NHTSA’s FMVSS 500 regulations that relate to LSVs.?? The company has been unsuccessful in obtaining an exemption for the vehicle and therefore has put a hold on any further development.?? Learn more:?? Automobilemag.com

Polaris Enters NEV Market & Adds Electric Utility Vehicle

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Polaris Enters NEV Market With The Breeze

Polaris Enters NEV Market With The Breeze

Polaris Industries will enter the NEV/LSV market this September with their Polaris Breeze. The electric powered Breeze will be targeting end use applications such as golfing, transportation and light portage. Master planned communities are expected to be a primary market. The vehicle is the first product from the companies recently formed On-Road Vehicle Division and will be available in select markets. The MSRP is $7,499. Learn more; sidebysideaction.com

Polaris also recently introduced their 2010 line-up of vehicles which will include their first electric utility vehicle, the Ranger EV. The Ranger EV will share the same chassis as the new Ranger 400, a smaller vehicle with an MSRP of $7,999 that is aimed at the hunter, farming and estate segments . The Ranger EV will target similar customers and is powered by a 11.5 KW battery pack and 30 hp AC motor that gives the vehicle a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 25-35 miles. The EV has a box payload capacity of 500lbs and an MSRP of $10,699 or $10,999 depending on color selection. For a short review of the vehicle see can-amforum.com

Other product line changes include the new heavy duty utility vehicle, the Ranger HD, a new Ranger 800 XP, increased horsepower for the Ranger 4×4 and a new 800cc EFI engine for other vehicles in the line. For more specific features and changes learn more at www.sidebysideaction.com

Boulder Electric Vehicle’s Prototype Exceeds Expectations

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Boulder Electric Vehicles Prototype Delivery Truck

Boulder Electric Vehicle's Prototype Delivery Truck

Boulder Electric Vehicle’s prototype all electric delivery truck has exceeded the company’s expectations for power at takeoff, acceleration and range.?? The prototype was finished in early June and has been undergoing testing since that time.?? The vehicle, powered by a lithium ion phosphate battery, has been surpassing the anticipated range of 100-120 miles under both gentle and aggressive driving conditions.?? The vehicle is designed to carry a payload of up to 6,000 lbs and has a top speed of 65 mph.?? The company is hoping to receive $30 million in stimulus funding to produce an initial 250 vehicles and is targeting companies like UPS and Fedex as potential customers.?? Learn more:?? Boulder County Business Report

Chrylser Wants To Sharply Reduce The Number Of GEM Dealers

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Chrysler will argue in bankruptcy court next week that it should be able to eliminate 64 of 150 GEM dealers.?? This represents just over 40% of the GEM dealerships.?? According to Chrysler management 26 of the dealers are already closed or winding down operations and many others have only sold a “handful” of vehicles in the past two years. Learn more:?? Freep.com

Comment: This development is not too surprising. In recent weeks I?? have interviewed a number of NEV dealers for an upcoming study and some of them, not just GEM dealers, have shutdown or put their operations on hold.?? The economy has a large part to do with their difficulties as well as misjudging the interest in these vehicles for personal transportation. MC