Technology & Research Developments

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Marc Cesare

Battery/Ultracapacitor System for Small EVs – Using an NEV as the target vehicle, researchers from the Illinois Institute of Technology and Allborg University (Denmark) are working on a hybrid system that combines a battery pack with an ultracapacitor.?? The battery handles average power loads while the ultracapacitor handles peak loads.

The target NEV has a speed limit of 40-50 km/h (25-31 mph), maximum power of 40 kW, and a weight of about 800 kg. The battery pack comprised two parallel strings of 14 series-connected 12 V NiMH batteries (Saft NHE 10-100). The ultracapacitor was a Maxwell BMOD0063 module with a nominal voltage of 125V.

Learn more:?? greencarcongress.com

Bi-polar Lead Acid Battery For EVs – Last week a partnership between University of Glamorgan (Wales) and Atraverda was announced for the purpose of developing bi-polar lead acid batteries for a variety of commercial markets including EVs.?? Atraverda has expertise in conductive ceramics that would be used in the batteries.?? Prototypes are expected to begin testing within a year.

The partners say their work could lead to lead-acid batteries that are up to 40% lighter, 20% smaller, have 40% more energy capacity and twice the lifespan of traditional lead acid batteries.

Learn more:?? greencarcongress.com

Minneapolis Expands Zones For NEV Dealerships

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Marc Cesare

I thought it would be interesting to track these type of changes in the market.?? Once or twice before I have seen a story along the lines of an existing golf car dealership obtaining local government approval to expand their lineup of vehicles to include NEVs.?? In this case, NEVs will be able to be sold in more and less dense commercial zones in the city.?? Previously they were treated like used cars when it came to this type of zoning issue.

Learn more:?? secondward.blogspot.com

Cruise Car Shows Off Solar Electric Hybrid LSVs

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Marc Cesare

Cruise Car used Earth Day to bring attention to their line of solar electric hybrid low speed vehicles.?? The full line of vehicles range from 2-14 passenger vehicles including utility vehicles.?? The Sunray and Solar Kudo models feature a roof top solar panel that can continuously charge the batteries while the vehicle is in the sun.

The company also offers the Sunray Solar Roof Kit that can be retrofitted to most standard electric golf cars on the market.?? Cruise Car states that

These solar panels can generate up to 180 watts, 60 volts and supply a hefty 3 amps directly to a 36 or 48 volt battery…. Converting a cart to a Sunray top will benefit the end user by increasing the distance the cart can go on a single charge by 30%.

The vehicles with solar panels are also eligible for a federal solar tax credit of 30% and individual states may have additional solar related tax credits as well. Learn more:?? cruisecar.com

More Peapod News

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Marc Cesare

A recent interview with Peapod designer Peter Arnell reveals some more information about the vehicle. The first version of the vehicle will be a four-door version with a 10hp motor. A two-door version, called the Twinpod, is coming later in the year and a utility configuration, the Utilitypod, hits the market in April 2010.?? Arnell remarks that one of the drivers for their target market of younger purchasers is iPod and iPhone integration.?? He also refers to the vehicle as an appliance because it is a “personal transport pod” that can be plugged in.?? Learn more:?? Treehugger.com

Comment: It will be interesting to see if they can reach the younger market.???? In other coverage they have talked about college students as a specific target segment. In a recent interview I had with a dealer that sells NEVs, including the GEM, they thought the Peapod might face tough competition from fully functional vehicles like the Kia Soul that do not cost much more than the Peapod.?? However, the dealer thought the speed restricted vehicle might have some appeal to parents purchasing the vehicle for their teenager to use.

I have spoken with an executive of another NEV manufacturer?? who also likes to sell their NEV as an appliance, but more in the context of an appliance as part of the typical set of appliances you would associate with a home.?? It will be interesting to see if this “appliance” label gains any traction in the market.?? mcesare

US Army LSV Program Has New Exec

Posted on April 20, 2009 by Marc Cesare

Last week Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment) Keith Eastin appointed Jerry Hansen as the Army’s Senior Energy Executive in addition to serving as the deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Strategic Infrastructure).?? Managing the Army’s program to place 4,000 electric-powered LSVs across installations will be part of his responsibilities. Learn more:?? US Army

Peapods Available To Order Starting On Earth Day

Posted on April 16, 2009 by Marc Cesare

Peapod From Peapod Mobility

Peapod Mobility will be taking orders for the Peapod starting on April 22nd, Earth Day.?? The electric powered, four passenger?? LSV with a top speed of 25 mph will retail for $12,500.?? A primary target market for the vehicle is college students. The first vehicles should be drivers hands in September.?? Learn more:?? wired.com

Peapod Interior With iPod Dock

Rebate & Tax Credit Pushes ZENN Price Below 10K

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Marc Cesare

As part of their Ambassador Program, ZENN is offering rebates of $4,750 off the sticker price of $15,995.?? Coupled with the $1,250 federal tax credit available in the U.S. the vehicle cost drops to $9,995.?? The ZENN rebate is available at the point of sale through June 30th of this year at the more than 40 dealers in the U.S.?? Purchasers will also receive a ZENN hat and t-shirt as the company tries to spread the word about their vehicle.?? Learn more:?? autobloggreen

In other ZENN news:?? Based on company press releases, ZENN sold 211 vehicles in 2008 compared to 184 in 2007 despite a sharp drop in sales in the last quarter of 2008 because of problems with a supplier of a drive train component and the economic downturn.

The company also commented on plans to develop a new four passenger LSV platform, the cityZENN, a highway-capable full electric vehicle, and ZENNergy drivetrains in anticipation of the commercialization of EEstor’s energy storage technology.?? Management reports that they are close to signing an agreement with an OEM as a partner in the development of these initiatives.?? Learn more:?? ZENNcars.com

Taxis: A Niche Market For LSVs

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Marc Cesare

Over the past few months I have seen a number of stories about LSVs being used as taxis in various cities across the country and see this use of LSVs as growing niche market.?? One example is Chicago’s pilot project.

Sometimes the taxi service is being offered for free and generates revenue from on vehicle advertising.?? In other instances, a government agency may be offering the service as a form of public transportation and as a “green” demonstration project.?? Not surprising, they have also faced some opposition from existing taxi services.?? Aware of potential conflicts with existing taxis and limited to lower speed roads, the LSV taxis are often allowed to operate in only restricted geographical areas.?? There have also been instances where concerns about LSV safety in a mixed vehicle use environment or existing laws have prohibited businesses from operating LSV taxi services.

This story from Tampa, FL is an interesting example of how one operator avoided existing taxi regulations by not charging for the service and operating only on advertising and tips.

Aspen To Add NEV Charging Outlets To Parking Garage

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Marc Cesare

The city of Aspen, CO has approved a plan to add 27 electrical outlets to their Rio Grande Parking Garage so NEV owners can recharge their vehicles when parking them overnight.?? Since NEVs are?? no emission vehicles they are allowed to park for free and owners use them while in town during the day.

The city parks department is drawing up contracts for owners based on access charges so the charging won’t be for free.?? The system is expected to be ready by the summer.?? Learn more:?? aspentimes.com

Canada’s Ministry of Transportation Approves LSV Test Project

Posted on March 25, 2009 by Marc Cesare

Pelee Island in Ontario will be the location for Canada’s Ministry of Transportation’s pilot project to assess the use of LSVs on public roads.?? The island has no traffic lights and only a few hundred year round residents but the population swells to over a thousand during the summer.?? The experiment is slated to run through 2014 after which recommendations will be made about allowing LSVs in mixed traffic.?? Besides insurance and registration the vehicles will also need a slow moving vehicle sign on the back. Learn more:?? windsorstar.com

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