GEM Receives AFVI Award

The Alternative fuel Vehicle Institute presented GEM with their 2010 EV-angelism Award at the group’s national conference and expo.

AFVI honored GEM for its history and leadership in the low-speed, Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) market, noting the company’s commitment to manufacturing environmentally-friendly vehicles and its long service, which has helped build credibility for the NEV industry as a whole.

At the conference GEM also showcased their right hand drive model which is targeting security, parking enforcement and delivery applications. Learn more: PRWeb.com

Club Car News

Club Car editorial – The CEO of Club Car, Gary S. Michel recently wrote an opinion piece in the Augusta Chronicle promoting the local manufacturers of golf cars, LSVs and light transportation vehicles (LTVs)  as a “clean and green” industry that can not only help the environment but the economy as well.  He asks for state legislators to help expand the market for these type of vehicles through a variety of government actions.

Specifically, our industry would like to see lawmakers enact legislation that breaks down barriers to the expanded use of electric vehicles. Passage of Senate Bill 519 last month, which would allow LTVs to operate after sunset as long as they met other requirements, was a step in the right direction.

But we also need the legislature to create tax incentives that encourage consumers and businesses to purchase electric vehicles, as well as incentives for manufacturers to create “green” jobs. What’s more, we need increased discussion and coordination between government, education and other business stakeholders to promote innovative ways to expand the use of light transportation vehicles.

Learn more:  Chronicle.augusta.com

Club Car partners with Gary Player – Earlier this month Club Car announced a multiyear marketing agreement with Gary Player and Black Knight International to promote each others brands internationally.

Under terms of the agreement, Black Knight International, which includes  Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, Black Knight Enterprises and The Player Foundation, will work with Club Car to introduce the company’s vehicles, equipment and services at courses and real estate developments where Black Knight is affiliated. Club Car also will develop strategies to promote the company and its golf car and utility vehicle lines through an association with the  Gary Player brand.

Learn more:  Clubcar.com

STOV Industry Developments

My colleague Stephen Metzger has written a pair of articles for IUV magazine. The first is a recap of what he learned at the recent PGA Show and Golf Industry Show. Some of the themes he touches on in the article include:

  • New developments from E-Z-Go, Club Car and Yamaha
  • New vehicles in the heavy utility segment from John Deere, Toro & Cushman
  • Action in the LSV market from Tomberlin and others
  • Improvements from Chinese manufacturers
  • Advances in components and batteries

Learn more: IUVMag.com

In the second article he puts some numbers to the recession induced downturn in the STOV market. He notes that at the same time vehicle improvements and innovation continue to occur, as well as a broadening of the applications for these vehicles. Learn more: IUVMag.com

Wisconsin Purchases 23 LSVs For State Parks

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced the purchase of 23 electric powered LSVs for use in 22 state parks.  The department purchased the vehicles from e-Ride Industries of Minnesota and Columbia ParCar of Wisconsin.  The vehicles have a utility vehicle configuration and feature enclosed cabs.  Parks management noted the low operating costs of the vehicles and lack of air pollution they produce.  Learn more:  NBC15.com

New Electric Vehicle Dealerships Open

While last month I noted the closing of some electric vehicle dealerships in the  San Francisco area, this month openings are the story.  In Fresno, Ca a new Tomberlin dealership has opened.  Valelectricar is the official authorized Tomberlin dealer for central California.  The Tomberlin vehicles are eligible for the 10% Federal tax credit.  Learn more:  thebusinessjournal.com

Meanwhile in Charleston, South Carolina Current Electric Vehicles opened.  They will be  offering Korean made CT&T’s e-Zone and c-Zone vehicles.   The dealership currently has a dozen vehicles in stock now and expects to carry up to 60 vehicles in inventory eventually.  They have already received an order for 20 vehicles from a local tourist business and the local police department was presented with a vehicle.  CT&T is looking into opening an assembly plant in nearby Duncan, NC.  Learn more:  Postandcourier.com

GatorMoto Announces New LSV Utility Vehicle

Following an ongoing market trend of manufacturers producing street legal utility vehicles, GatorMoto Utility Vehicles recently announced  the Electro Bubble Buddy Mountaineer LSV.

With a 72 volt engine with DC converter to 12 volts, 5 speed electric transmission, front axle independent suspension, integrative rear axle with leaf spring and vibration absorber, rack and pinon steering with automatic rocker compensating function and front disc brake and rear drum brake with hydraulic system, this vehicle is the choice of municipalities, police, EMTs, fire departments and other applications which require more torque in the engine.  It can also be ordered with optional LED emergency light bars.  Other available options include custom graphics, custom body color, storage cover, quick charging system, DVD player with monitor, and back up cameras.

The Electro Buddy Mountaineer LSV features a Curtis Controller, Trojan 105 batteries, 12:49:1 axle ratio for climbing, AM/FM/CD with speakers, two-tone paint scheme, rear lockable trunk, DOT approved seat belts, AS-1 certified windshield, and 2 on board charger units.  Black vinyl captains chairs with adjustable backs and adjustable formed arm rests provide comfortable seating for up to four passengers.

The vehicle has an MSRP of $17,900.00 and the 5 kW model is eligible for the 10% federal tax credit.  Learn more:  Gatormotoutilityvehicles.com

Club Car Produces Two Millionth Vehicle

On Earth Day Club Car’s two millionth vehicle rolled of the production line. Appropriately, it was the eco-friendly zero emission Villager LSV.  LSV’s are a recent addition to the Club Car line-up of golf cars and utility vehicles.

The ceremony was attended by Club Car associates, executives from parent company Ingersoll Rand and a number of local political and civic leaders.  Augusta Mayor Deke Copenhaver read a proclamation that declared April 22, 2010 “Club Car Day in Augusta.”


The event coincided with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the global celebration of environmental awareness. In recognition of its commitment to sustainability, Ingersoll Rand on Thursday launched its Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (CEES). The center will focus on identifying and implementiing best practices for the long-term use of energy and other resources for customers and communities.

Learn more:  Clubcar.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

GEMs At San Diego International Airport

GEMs At San Diego International Airport

Airport Transport & Utility – As part of celebrating the upcoming Earth Day San Diego International Airport recently highlighted their use of electric powered LSVs and utility vehicles.  Their fleet of fourteen vehicles include 10 GEMs and 4 Taylor-Dunn vehicles in two and four passenger configurations, as well as utility configurations.  The vehicles are part of the airport’s overall “green” strategy.  Officials estimate that the vehicles save them 80% in fuel costs compared to using gas-powered vehicles for the same work.  Learn more:  Examiner.com

Vehicle Reviews

Here are a couple of electric vehicle reviews covering both ends of the STOV spectrum.

Tazzari Zero
Tazzari Zero

The first is a review of the Tazzari Zero, a high end, sporty commuter vehicle.  Priced at $31,000, the vehicle is capable of highway speeds but has not completed DOT crash testing, and therefore is a high priced low speed vehicle.  Learn more:  Foxnews.com

The second review is of the Polaris Ranger EV, a recent entry into the electric utility vehicle segment.  The Ranger EV is based on the chassis of the gas powered Ranger 400.  It features a 11.5kw battery pack of Trojan batteries, a 30hp motor and a range of 25 to 50 miles depending on the driving mode selected.  Learn more:  Hortweek.com

Hoboken LSV Purchase Revisited

Earlier in a What’s Cooking On The STOV post I had covered the city of Hoboken’s purchase of LSV utility vehicles for their parking department. The city manager behind the purchase has recently blogged about the process and the reasoning behind it. Some of the key factors influencing the decision to switch from pick-up trucks to LSVs included:

  • Limited use criteria: restricted operating area in terms of miles driven, flat terrain, low payload requirements, no emergency response requirements
  • High mileage pick-ups with increasing maintenance costs
  • High fuel costs for pick-ups driven by idling
  • Narrow LSVs don’t block traffic
  • LSVs have significantly lower fuel and maintenance costs

As an added bonus the vehicles attracted press coverage which highlighted the department’s cost effective and forward thinking purchase. Learn more: Ian Sac’s blog