NEV Demonstration Project Begins In LA County

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The Local Use Vehicle Project to demonstrate the efficacy of NEVs recently began in Los Angeles County.?? The eighteen month project features six NEVs ??? two GEMs, two Wheego Whips, a Columbia Summit and a Vantage NEV ??? will be used in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.?? Drivers chosen for the project will use a vehicle for six months, keep a journal about their experience and take a user survey at the end.?? The project is being supported by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Learn more:?? Hybridmile.com

Marines Continuing Research On Robotic UTV For Troop Support

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The US Marines are continuing efforts to develop a cargo-carrying robotic “mule” meant to accompany ground troops on foot patrols and into combat.?? While other branches of the military have had difficulty keeping costs down, the Marines are trying to use off-the-shelf hardware to be more cost efficient.

Known as the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) mule, it is being jointly designed by the Marines’ Warfighting Lab, Virginia-based tech firm TORC Technologies and students at Virginia Tech.?? Vehicle prototypes are based on a stock MZ700 6×6 utility vehicle from Polaris.?? In July four prototypes reportedly performed well in early stage testing using “realistic training events”.?? Learn more:?? Flightglobal.com

LSV Shuttle/Taxi Services Sprouting Up

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Marc Cesare

A number of shuttle and taxi services using LSVs have been appearing in various parts of the US over the past two years and it looks like this usage is developing into a niche market for LSVs.?? The latest service is in Tuscaloosa, AL where Sylvester Morgan, owner of Druid City Shuttle, has purchased four LSVs to shuttle people to and from Alabama football games.?? Morgan expects the Tomberlin e-Merge LSVs will be easier to maneuver in and around gameday crowds.?? The vehicles can take up to five people and Morgan plans to charge between five and ten dollars a person.?? Learn more:?? Tuscaloosanews.com

In Woodland near Houston, TX Go Green Taxi, operated by Sara and Jimmy Bissig use a five passenger and a ten passenger Sky Car NEV for their shuttle service.?? Passengers are charged three dollars for the service.?? Learn more:?? Green.autoblog.com

CARB Increases Rebate For Zero Emission Agricultural UTVs

Posted on September 26, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently increased the rebates for zero emission utility vehicles used for agricultural operations from 15% to 25% of MSRP.?? CARB funds the Zero-Emission Agricultural Utility Terrain Vehicle (Agricultural UTV) Rebate Program which is administered statewide by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).?? Vehicles that are eligible for the rebates include electric powered models from Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, John Deere, Polaris and ZAP.?? According to the program’s website, rebates are given on a first come, first serve basis.?? A total of $990,000 has been allocated for the program of which only about $20,000 for 12 vehicles has been distributed to date.?? Learn more:?? Valleyair.org

Zap Acquires 51% Stake In China’s Jonway Auto

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Marc Cesare

EV manufacturer Zap recently announced an agreement to purchase a 51% stake in Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd for $29 million.?? The deal gives Zap an entry into the fast growing electric vehicle market in China and access to high volume production capacity.?? According to Zap,

The ZAP Jonway merger accelerates cost-effective manufacturing of ZAP???s electric vehicles and gives ZAP access to the Chinese market through Jonway???s distribution channels of more than 80 factory direct dealerships that feed into hundreds of factory authorized dealers. Jonway???s volume manufacturing capacity gives ZAP a strong manufacturing base with the means of commercializing its innovative EV technologies.

Zap will be able to purchase the remaining 49% of the Jonway by march, 2011 at?? the same evaluation.?? Jonway had revenues of $40 million in 2009 and $20 million in the first quarter of 2010 alone.

Jonway Automobile, with approximately 800 employees, is currently manufacturing approximately 1,000 vehicles per month and has a capacity to produce up to 30,000 vehicles per year at its modern, 3.6 million square foot plant in Sanmen on approximately 141 acres of land. Focused on quality, Jonway is ISO 9000 and China Compulsory Certification (CCC) certified. Jonway distributes through a nationwide network of auto dealerships in China and distribution partners in Europe and Egypt. Jonway???s 3-door SUV has been CE approved in Italy by its European partner for the European market.

Learn more: Zapworld.com

STOV Manufacturers Report Earnings

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Marc Cesare

In the past few weeks a number of publicly traded STOV manufacturers have reported earnings. While the economic downturn has significantly impacted the market, both Polaris and Arctic Cat report gaining market share in ATVs and UTVs during this time. Both companies have also embarked on programs to develop more frequent dealer ordering cycles to reduce dealer inventories and better react to market demands by creating a more desirable model mix at the retail point of sale.

Arctic Cat reported that through the first half of the year the ATV sales declined 20% but in the side by side market some segments have actually shown growth. Artic Cat reports gaining market share in both the ATV and UTV markets.

Learn more: Seekingalpha.com

Polaris reported in their earnings call with analysts that the ATV market was down more than 15% while the side by side market was making some gains. Management expects the economic recovery to be choppy. Polaris reports taking market share in the ATV and UTV markets while Honda and Yamaha are struggling. The LSV market has been smaller than expected in the short term, but management expects it to be a growing niche market that they are taking the time to learn before developing growth strategies.

Polaris is also starting to roll out vehicles for their partnership with Bobcat. The initial dealer reception to the vehicles has been positive. An offshoot of that development program was the addition of diesel powered vehicles in the Polaris line-up targeting work customers in North America and global markets as well as the military market where diesel is the fuel of choice. Yanmar is providing Polaris with diesel engines. The electric Ranger LSV serves the military market as well. During the call management also noted that some production had been moved to Mexico since much of their growth in the US is occurring in the southern part of the country.

Learn more: Polaris Industries

LSV Market Shows Growth Potential

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Marc Cesare

I came across a couple of stories recently that highlight the growth potential in the LSV market. One story features the market in Southern New Jersey where state and local LSV laws have paved the way for use in island communities. This represents an expansion beyond the traditional campground market which was mainly served by golf carts that have become more customized as the market developed.?? As one recent LSV buyer from Ocean City remarked in the article,

???I think it???s going to be good over here. We???re in the north end and anticipate going to the beach and downtown to shop, wherever a regular vehicle is used but this should be easier because its smaller and more environmentally friendly.???

The other story highlights efforts by community planners in Southern California to use LSVs to improve air quality and reduce traffic. They see potential for households using the vehicles as a second vehicle.

In both cases the ability to drive the vehicles on public roads is key. This is one reason why golf cars for use as personal transportation are likely to be displaced in growing numbers by LSVs. The added versatility and convenience of being able to use LSVs on local roads in addition to one’s own property or a gated community will allow more and more customers to justify the higher cost of LSVs relative to golf cars. The advent of LSV compliant off-road utility vehicles will only add momentum to this trend.

Learn more: Findashorehome.com

Learn more:?? Press-Enterprise

LSV Taxi Services Meeting Resistance From Traditional Taxis

Posted on July 8, 2010 by Marc Cesare

In both Tampa, FL and Austin, TX taxi services using low-speed vehicles are bumping into legal and regulatory obstacles as they encroach upon the turf of traditional taxis.?? The LSV taxi services are typically offered for free in a limited downtown area but drivers may accept tips and the vehicles sell advertising space on the vehicles.?? Local businesses or business associations such as hotels and tourist destinations in the service area may offer support as well.

In Tampa the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission ruled that since tips and advertising revenue were involved the taxi service must be regulated and permitted by the county agency.?? This ruling coincides with a similar ruling by a circuit judge regarding the taxi service.

In Austin Capital Cruisers, already in business, and e-Cars, planning to start a taxi service, are waiting for the city council to include LSVs in the local regulations to legalize their use as taxis.?? The local transportation commission had recommended such action in the beginning of the year. In the meantime, Capital Cruisers is spending money fighting frequent traffic tickets and other legal battles with the city.

In both cities the local taxi associations are trying to either stop the services from being offered, or at a minimum, have them comply with the similar regulations. Learn more:?? TBO.com

Learn more:?? ABJentrepreneur.com

Update: A similar issue is occurring in Houston, TX as well with Rev Eco-Shuttle owner Erik Ibarra waiting for the city to pass ordinances and provide permits for his low speed-vehicle taxis.?? Learn more:???? Swamplot.com

Small Town Golf Car Use

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Marc Cesare

A recent story from a small town in Iowa highlights the increased usage of golf cars. As more towns have passed ordinances allowing golf car use within city limits, more consumers are turning to the vehicles as an alternative to highway-speed vehicles for short trips to the local grocery store or cafe. In many cases drivers are motivated by conservation concerns so the golf cars are predominantly electric powered. When it comes to local ordinances, there is somewhat of a domino effect from town to town as officials observe the initiatives of neighboring towns.

Learn more: WCFCourier.com

Technology News

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Marc Cesare

HighFlex Solar's flexible panel

HighFlex Solar – This early stage startup produces flexible lightweight solar panels for a variety of uses including for the automotive market.

The flexible panels dispense with the ‘glass sandwich’ approach used by most photovoltaic module vendors.?? Treves [the CEO] claims that this allows for a six-percent increase in power generation because of increased transmissivity. This also potentially allows a lot more of the environment in — so Treves has to prove that the product can handle thermal cycling, impact and UV.

Learn more:?? Greentechmedia.com

Lithium Air Batteries – Companies large and small such as IBM and PolyPlus of Berkeley, CA are working to develop lithium air batteries which could potentially greatly increase the power to weight ratio of lithium based batteries.?? PolyPlus uses a ceramic membrane that allows oxygen to pass but not water which would be a problem given the highly reactive nature of lithium.?? IBM is on track to develop a demo battery based on their technology for a full-size car by mid-decade.?? Learn more:?? Forbes.com

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