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
SymPowerco which develops advanced fuel cell and power delivery systems for the personal transportation and portable power system markets is in the late stages of acquiring Hoss Motor Sports and Highline Hydrogen Hybrids. Hoss Motor Sports is currently moving to new production facilities in Dumas, AK where they will manufacture utility vehicles for the search and rescue, construction and sport utility and off road enthusiast markets. Highline has developed a supplemental hydrogen system that significantly reduces emissions from internal combustion engines. The company is planning to introduce a product for off-road commercial vehicles. Learn more: Earthtimes.org
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
Last week ZENN completed an additional $5 million equity investment in EEStor. This investment increases ZENN’s stake in the energy storage developer from 3.8% to 10.7%. The option to increase their stake was triggered when EEStor reached a previously agreed upon technical milestone earlier this year. Learn more: Stockhouse.com
On Monday Kawasaki Motors announced more layoffs as their consumer products division is reorganized. According to management the layoffs affect approximately 25% of the division’s office and support staff. the division produces all terrain vehicles, utility vehicles and personal watercraft and recently laid off about 300 employees. Learn more: Kolnkgin.com
On June 3rd Miles Automotive is planning to unveil their highway speed electric sedan and announce a new strategic partner. The vehicle will be re-branded under a name other than Miles. Sale of the vehicle is expected to begin in 2010 and reach production levels of 20,000 in 2011. Rumored cost is $45,000. Learn more: Autobloggreen.com
ZENN recently reported that a third party had certified an important technology milestone reached by EEStor. Independent tests showed that…
…the main material in the ultracapacitor technology achieved relative permittivity of at least 22,500 over an operating range of -20 to +65 degrees Celsius. Permittivity is a measurement of how much energy can be stored in a material.
Per the agreement with EEStor, reaching the milestone triggers an additional $700,000 payment by ZENN and an opportunity to increase their equity stake. The next milestone is to commercialization of the technology, which according to the agreement, is supposed to start by the end of 2009. ZENN still plans to incorporate the ultracapacitor technology in vehicles in 2010. Learn more: cleantech.com
In the near future Norwegian-based electric vehicle manufacturer TH!NK is expected to announce plans for manufacturing a two seat city vehicle in the US. The company is hoping to take advantage of government funding for electric and hybrid vehicles. The vehicle would be available in mid-2010 if all goes according to plan.
Recently in financial difficulty, the company received a $5.7 million loan from the Ener1 Group which holds a majority stake in the battery maker for the vehicle. Learn More
Update: Initial production plans for first year production of 2,500 units. The company will be applying for low-interest loans from the US Department of Energy’s $25-billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVMIP) program. Michigan is among eight states being considered for the facility. Learn more
In February Markstone Capital Partners of Los Angeles acquired a controlling interest in Tomcar, which makes offroad vehicles for military and industrial applications. Terms of the agreement were not released.
Last year Tomcar had received an investment from Markstone and had opened up a 85,000 square foot contract manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills, MI in partnership with German-based EDAG. At full production the facility can produce just over 10,000 vehicles per year but initial production targets were for 2,000 vehicles in 2008 and 5,000 in 2009. According to reports, the first vehicles rolling of the line were for a custom order and vehicles for the general market start this month.
The vehicles, which retail starting between $14,000 and $15,000, come in two-seater, four-seater or mini-truck versions. They have applications in military, mining, security patrol, farm and ranch, recreation and tourism uses.
Total investment in the plant was estimated to be $9.5 million. Tomcar also has facilities in Israel and Phoenix, AZ. Learn more