New UTVs Hitting The Market

New Teryx 750

Kawasaki's new Teryx 750 FI 4x4 LE Camo

New Teryx™ 750 FI 4×4 LE – Kawasaki has introduced a a new Teryx™ 750 FI 4×4 LE. Key features include:

  • Liquid-cooled, 749cc SOHC, four-valve-per-cylinder, fuel-injected, 90-degree V-twin engine
  • Realtree APG HD camouflaged bodywork, wheels, front bumper, roof and dashboard
  • Digital fuel injection
  • Continuously Variable Transmission features high and low ranges, a reverse gear, very direct feel from the engine, and instantaneous acceleration
  • Limited-slip front differential reduces steering effort under normal four-wheel drive operation, while Variable Front Differential Control permits rider to distribute torque equally to left and right front wheels for maximum traction via a hand lever located between the seats
  • Selectable two- or four-wheel-drive operation, via dash-mounted switch
  • Suspension designed for high-speed operation over varying terrain
  • Large 7.4-gal. (28L) fuel tank
Volteis X4

X4 off-road vehicle from Volteis Electric Car of France

New electric off-road utility vehicle from France – Volteis Electric Car of France recently launched their X4 electric off-road utility vehicle. Reminiscent of WWII Jeep designs, the X4 features twelve 48 volt, 24 amp-hour lead-acid gel batteries located beneath the front sea and has a top speed is 44 mph. The vehicle is available in a number of configurations including dual electric motors, long and short frames and other options. The frame is made of stainless steel and aluminum. Learn more: Greencar.com

Bobcat utility vehicle

Bobcat utility vehicle

Bobcat offers new UTV lineup – Bobcat recently unveiled their new lineup of four utility vehicles: 3200 (4×2), 3400 (4×4), 3400 XL (up to 6 riders; 4×4) and 3450 (4×4). Key features:

  • Diesel engine is available in all but the 3200
  • All models feature increased horsepower
  • Top speed has increased to 30 mph.
  • High (30 mph max) and low-speed gearing (15 mph max)
  • Increased payload capacity (up to 33% more)
  • Electronic fuel injected gas engines
  • Four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson struts, front; 5-way preload adjustable rear shocks with two optional mounting positions for load carrying)
  • 3450 includes Bobcat’s exclusive RapidLink attachment mounting system
  • All-new frame

The vehicles are a result of Bobcat’s strategic alliance with Polaris Industries to develop vehicles for the work segment . Learn more: ATVmagblog.com

Can Am Commander

Can-Am Commander in action

Can-Am enters UTV market with Commander 800 and 1000 models – Powersports manufacturer Can-Am has entered the UTV market with their Commander 800 and 1000 models which have 71 hp and 85 hp engines respectively. The vehicles features give them a mix of work qualities as well as those for aggressive trail riding. For a more complete review of the vehicle features and technologies Learn more: ATVmagonline.com

Gator XUV 825i

New Gator XUV 825i from John Deere

John Deere launches new lineup of crossover utility vehicles (XUVs) – The leading model of Deere’s new trio of XUVs is the XUV 825i which features a 50 hp engine and a top speed of 44 mph. The XUV lineup designed for both work applications and the needs of the “outdoor enthusiast”. Key features include:

  • An 815cc, liquid cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and electronic fuel injection.
  • Re-designed front and rear independent suspension system designed for less body roll and superior side-hill stability with either no-load or maximum cargo.
  • 1500 lbs. of towing and 1400 lbs. of payload capacity.
  • New hybrid metal and composite cargo box with 16.4 cu. ft. of capacity and an available factory installed spray-in bed liner with 20 integrated tie downs
  • New braking system that improves stopping performance over previous models.

Learn more: News.utvguide.net

TrikE: Another Low Speed Transportation Option

TrikE Commuter Vehicle

TrikE - A new option for the urban commuter

The TrikE is an electric  power assisted bicycle designed to provide urban commuters with a transportation option that takes advantage of the increasing miles of bike lanes.  Developed by Speed Studio Design, the TrikE features weather protection, light cargo storage and a 36v lithium battery pack which drives a 750W motor.  The TrikE has a top speed of 20 mph and is classified as a bicycle.  The vehicle is positioned, in part, as a more affordable transportation option than NEVs.  Learn more:  Design-daily.com

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

CARB Launches Rebate Program For Electric UTVs For Agriculture

Earlier this week the California Air Resources Board announced they would start  taking rebate applications for their Agricultural UTV Rebate
Project which targets electric UTVs for agricultural operations.  Eligible vehicles will qualify for a rebate of 15% of MSRP up to $2,500.  Manufacturers currently with models eligible for rebates include Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, Polaris Industries, John Deere and ZAP.  Rebates for models on the eligible list range from $825 to $1,950.

To receive a rebate the purchaser must be classified as a California agricultural operation.  The statewide program is being administered by the San Joquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and has nearly $1 million available for rebates.   Rebates  are given on a first come first serve basis and there is no limit on the number of vehicles for which a purchaser can receive a rebate.  Only new vehicles qualify.

A rough calculation, assuming an average rebate of around $1,600 per vehicle, means over 600 vehicles will be covered by the program.  This would represent a sizable share of the electric UTV market.   Learn more:  Valleyair.org

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

CNG Mini-truck Launched In India

Hindustan Motors announced the launch of their compressed natural gas (CNG) powered mini-truck for the Indian market.  The vehicle is based on their existing Winner model and is compliant with the latest emission standards.  Local regulations in Dehli regarding the conversion of diesel powered vehicles is expected to help the company sell 2,000 vehicles by the end of the year in the city.  The  Intraco group of Singapore will sell the vehicle in Bangladesh. The vehicle is considered a light commercial vehicle (LCV) and management expects the market for these vehicles to grow from 240,000 to 450,000 in 2014.  Learn more:  Sindhtoday.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

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

Golf Car Manufacturers Targeting LSV Market

A local newspaper story in Georgia, home state of the leading golf car manufacturers, recently ran a story about their move into the LSV market.  The story focuses mainly on the leaders in the golf car market, Club Car and E-Z-Go. Club Car introduced their passenger version of the Villager 2+2 late last year and E-Z-Go will be introducing their LSV later this year.

Club Car was able to take advantage of market demand driven by federal tax credits, especially in Oklahoma.  E-Z-Go chose not to rush the development schedule of their LSV to take advantage of the tax credit.  Instead, they are looking to enter the market with a vehicle with distinctive features.  One feature we have learned about for the vehicle is four wheel hydraulic brakes.
Not mentioned in the story is entry of smaller golf car manufacturers into LSV market such as Fairplay.

The move into the LSV market is driven by a number of factors:

  • Golf cars are already being sold into the gated community market where LSVs are also sold
  • There is growing market opportunity as an increasing number of LSVs are sold outside of gated communities
  • The decline in the golf course driven segment of the market is forcing golf car companies to look for new areas of growth

Learn more:  Augusta Chronicle

Boulder Electric Vehicle To Begin Production

Boulder Electric Vehicle's Electric Truck

The aerodynamic electric truck from Boulder Electric Vehicle

With 25 orders of intent in hand Boulder Electric Vehicles is setting up a 60,000 square foot facility to produce their electric truck.  The all electric truck is targeted for the delivery market and can travel 120 miles before requiring an 8 hour recharge.  The vehicle currently costs $100,000.  Learn more:  Detnews.com