New Electric Vehicle Dealerships Open

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Marc Cesare

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

Club Car Produces Two Millionth Vehicle

Posted on April 24, 2010 by Marc Cesare

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

Boulder Electric Vehicle To Begin Production

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Marc Cesare

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

Smith Electric Vehicles US Wins $22M Grant

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Marc Cesare

It was recently announced that Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp won a $22 million grant from the US Department of Energy. The grant will be used to produce more than 500 of the Smith Newton all-electric commercial trucks as part of a demonstration program. Earlier the company was awarded a $10 million grant. Learn more: Reuters.com

Smith Electric Vehicles US Developments

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Marc Cesare

SEV-US recently announced that it made an offer to buy the Smith Electric Vehicles business from the UK based Tanfield Group. The company has a four month exclusive window to come to agreement on the offer which is reported to be $55 million.

In other developments the company is looking to establish a 50,000 square foot production and sales facility on the East Coast. They are considering locations in New York, Atlanta and Washington D.C. as well as other areas. The new facility is part of an overall plan to eventually open up to ten facilities in large urban markets starting with the East Coast. Cities in other parts of the country being considered include San Diego, San Francisco and Chicago.

Management reports that their Kansas City facility is producing two vehicles per week and ramping up to four per week in the coming months. They also expect the price of their Newton model to drop from $149,000 currently to $90,000 by 2011 as production increases. – Marc Cesare

Learn more: Autobloggreen

Learn more: Washington.bizjournals.com

Seoul Announces NEV Inititatives

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Seoul, Korea announced plans to purchase 35 NEVs for fire departments and city parks this year, including using the vehicles to shuttle world leaders around for the G-20 summit. Other initiatives to support NEV use includes:

Installation of public recharging stations which users can pay for with their public transportation cards
Tax benefits
Designation of Zero Emission Zones where the vehicles can be used

Learn more: Koreatimes.co.kr

CT&T Inks Deal To Supply Spanish Firm With NEVs

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Marc Cesare

South Korean electric vehicle manufacturer CT&T has signed an agreement with the Ficosa Group of Spain to supply 10,000 NEVs. No other information was provided regarding when deliveries will start, production rates or the value of the deal. – Marc Cesare

Learn more: Blogs.edmunds.com

A Different Kind Of Hybrid

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Marc Cesare

HumanCar NEV uses human generated power to help charge the batteries

The HumanCar Imagine PS NEV uses power generated by the passengers or driver to recharge the vehicle’s batteries. The vehicle uses a rowing mechanism to generate power and can seat four. The battery can also be charged via a standard electrical outlet.

Because steering using the rowing handles would be too difficult to control the vehicle is steered by “Body Steering” (read leaning into turns). According to Chuck Greenwood, HumanCar Inc. CEO and son of Charles Greenwood [the inventor], this is apparently much more intuitive (not to mention more fun) than using a conventional steering wheel.

The company claims to have orders for 200 of the vehicles which currently cost $75,000 to produce. Management expects to start full commercial production when 800 orders are received, at which point the vehicles will sell for $15,500. – Marc Cesare

Learn more: Masalfians.blogspot.com

Gill Industries Supplying Chassis For Club Car UTV

Posted on March 5, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Gill Industries of Trenton, GA recently started up a new production line that is manufacturing the chassis for Club Car’s XRT950 utility vehicles. At a maximum capacity of 30 chassis a day the company could produce an estimated 7,500 chassis a year. The steel chassis are robotically welded and weigh 200 lbs.

The XRT950 series is targeting agricultural and recreational trail-riding market segments. The vehicle features a twin-cylinder 14-horsepower engine, independent suspension, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, locking rear differential and nine inches of ground clearance. Learn more: Haoodnla.com

Up & Coming Seat Supplier

Posted on March 4, 2010 by Marc Cesare

I recently came across a story about United Commercial Upholstery of Nicollet, MN which provides seats for the marine and golf car/LSV markets. While the company struggled at first, it has recently gained traction with their own Suite Seat brand of seats. This higher end seat is sold as part of Fairplay’s deluxe LSV package. Fairplay’s management liked the quality of the seats and the fact that they are US made. The company also supplies seats to Star Car and at the end of last year began talks with one of the world’s largest golf car manufacturers. According to the story 40 percent of the company’s sales originate with OEMs and the rest with Suite Seats which is sold to dealers and OEMs. Learn more: Connectbiz.com -Marc Cesare

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