Club Car Offering Solar Panels

Posted on March 25, 2015 by Marc Cesare

New solar panel offering from Club Car.

Club Car is now offering rooftop solar panels for their 48-volt Precedent golf cars, Carryall utility vehicles and Villager LSVs. Customers will now be able to capture store and use solar power with the 100-watt Solar Drive Charging Panel Assembly. Club Car reports that “As a yearly average, the system generates 29 percent of the total energy required to drive eight miles per day in West Palm Beach, Fla.” Customer results may vary depending on how they use their vehicle and where they live. The panels measure 40 inches by 26 inches by 0.2 inches thick and weigh less than 6 pounds. The panels are impact resistant, have Teflon-like coating to protect the cells and come complete with a controller, connector to the vehicle’s power supply, all necessary hardware and installation instructions. They can be user- or dealer-installed in about 20 minutes. Learn more: Golfcourseindustry.com

Comment: Club Car now joins GEM and Evergreen Electric Vehicles in offering a solar option for their vehicles. Evergreen and GEM also offers a SolarDrive product. GEM offers 220 watt and 410 watt systems for $2,500 and $4,000 respectively. Pricing was not provided for the Club Car product.

Will Lithium Batteries Disrupt The Fleet Golf Car Market

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The Evolve fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars is powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery.

For a number of years there has been talk about lithium batteries making an impact on the STOV market. The verdict has always been mixed when I’ve interviewed dealers on the subject. Three years ago you could find a number of dealers predicting that lithium powered vehicles were about to break out and start making serious inroads in the STOV market. However, that has not come to pass, at least not yet. What has happened by all accounts is that lithium batteries have become significantly cheaper. But have they become cheap enough.

I recently spoke to Jon Hoster, the founder of LiV Golf Cars, and he believes they have. Specifically he is targeting the fleet golf car market with a pair of lithium battery powered golf cars. What is disruptive about lithium powered fleet golf cars is that their battery packs can last twice as long as the lead acid based battery packs currently in use. Historically, fleet golf car leases have been closely linked to battery pack life. When the battery pack is ready for replacement, a new fleet of golf cars is leased. Lithium powered golf cars could drastically change this time frame, and, over a relatively short period of time, the demand for fleet golf cars.

This issue is discussed in more depth in a new article posted on www.smallvehicleresource.com.

New Small Task-Oriented Vehicle (STOV) Study from SVR Forecasts Significant Growth

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Marc Cesare

Small Task-Oriented Vehicle (STOV) market at the Edge Of Significant Transformation & Growth in Next Five Years

In a new market study on the small vehicle market, Small Vehicle Resource (SVR), LLC predicts significant growth over the 2015-2019 period. The market research reveals four trends coming together that will result in market gains of between 8%-12% in the forecast period and an industry value in the range of $20-$25 billion at retail. These trends are:

Growing appreciation in a highly diverse market for the effectiveness of small vehicles specifically designed to meet individual segment needs (small, task-oriented vehicles (STOVs);

Superior product development in drive trains (AC electric plus the addition of EFI and hybrid drives in many new market segments) and automotive-type components, which heightens performance capabilities and raises the bar in the cost/benefit trade-off;

Critical improvement in distribution and sales systems that cater to manufacturers’ non-traditional markets—in conjunction with,

Increased use of the internet-based information to drive sales.

“Much better economic performance for the last three quarters of 2014 and a strong positive outlook for 2015, provides the launching pad for SVR’s positive forecast for 2015-2019,” states Steve Metzger, SVR Managing Director. “The drag on industry growth from the 2008/09 recession and subsequent slow recovery appears to be over,” he went on to say. Further, Metzger explains, “With the exception of fleet golf cars, where demand is stagnant at best, the privately-owned (primarily personal transportation vehicles), utility vehicle, and off road segments should all see gains in mid-single digits to low double digits range over the next five years.” The report notes that the stability of the golf-related market offers to golf car manufacturers the cash flow breathing room to transition to non-golf segments.

Marc Cesare, SVR Managing Director adds, “We put special emphasis on the off-road market in this report, because it has become the competitive vortex for golf car manufacturers seeking new markets, the powersports industry, and traditional manufacturers of work related utility vehicles.” “The spectrum of off-road solutions has greatly expanded,” Cesare notes, “as manufacturers seek growth by broadening their product lines and targeting market sub-segments with models tailored for specific end-use applications.”

The new study, the seventh in the series of studies produced by SVR since 2000, covers utility, off-road, and personal transportation vehicles, and fleet golf cars.

The study is entitled, “The Small, Task-Oriented Vehicle Market: Greater Product Diversity Opens New Avenues of Market Competition–Trends from 2010; Forecasts to 2019. For additional, detailed information see our SVR STOV Market Study Brochure or contact:

Steve Metzger at smetzger@smallvehicleresource.com or (914) 293-7577

Delta-Q Technologies Launching New Charger for Burden Carriers & UTVs

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The new QuiQ 1500 battery charger from Delta-Q Technologies.

Delta-Q Technologies will be revealing their new QuiQ 1500 battery charger for electric burden carriers and utility vehicles at ProMat 2015 in March. ProMat is the largest expo for manufacturing and supply chain professionals in North America.

The QuiQ 1500 is a higher power version of the original QuiQ 1000 that is found in many electric utility vehicles used in material handling. The QuiQ 1500 allows users to charge existing battery packs up to 30 percent faster than the QuiQ 1000 or equip machines with a bigger pack and still meet a 5- or 8-hour charging time requirement. The QuiQ 1500’s compact design matches the exact dimensions and mounting configuration of the existing QuiQ 1000, allowing swift replacement of any existing QuiQ charger. With a standard North American 110V AC power source, the QuiQ 1500 provides 1200 watts of output power, and at 220 or 230 VAC, 1500 watts of output power. The new charger will be available in 48V and 72V models. Sample units will be available in April 2015, with full production beginning in June 2015.

Learn more: PRWeb.com

John Deere Offers Security Option for Gators in the UK

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Marc Cesare

John Deere is now offering the CESAR security option for Gators in the UK. The CESAR system started in the construction and then the agricultural markets and is supported by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and the Construction Equipment Association (CEA).

The system works by giving each piece of equipment a unique and permanent identity using state of the art Datatag security marking technology. This cannot be removed by thieves, and is linked to a secure, 24/7 dedicated call centre. Since 2007, CESAR has reduced overall equipment theft in the UK by 46 per cent, increased the rate of recovery of stolen equipment by a factor of six, and also helped reduce insurance premiums.

The security system is being offered as a factory added option for Gator utility vehicles. Learn more: Pitchcare.com

Comment: Anecdotal evidence I’ve seen from tracking news stories appears to indicate that theft of utility vehicles has been on the rise. This is not surprising given their growing popularity. While this security system seems to be more targeted towards commercial users, it could be an appealing option for consumers, especially those with more expensive recreational vehicles or higher end work vehicles.

Toro Expands UTV Lineup

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Marc Cesare

A new electronic fuel injected utility vehicle from Toro.

Toro recently announced the addition of two gas-powered utility vehicles to their product line, the 500 EFI and 700 EFI. As the model names suggest, the vehicles both feature electronic fuel injection for their 4-stroke engines. Additional features include:

Duramatic automatic transmissions
Dynamic engine braking
Electronic 2WD/4WD selection
Digital display for fuel level, temperature, oil pressure, speedometer/tachometer
Tilting rear cargo box convertible to a flatbed
Payload capacity of 1,100 lbs for the 500 EFI and 1,500 lbs for the 700 EFI
10 inches of ground clearance
Standard brush guard an adjustable CAM-style shocks
Integrated front and rear two-inch receivers
Available accessories include but not limited to windshields, cabs, plow blades, light kits, winches, and stereo

The UTVs will be available at Toro dealers in the spring.

Learn more: Toro.com

Comment: The new Toro vehicles continue some trends we have been seeing in the work utility vehicle market and other areas of the STOV market. One is the move towards EFI engines. While more common in the recreational UTV market for performance reasons, in the last few years golf and turf vehicle manufacturers have been switching over to EFI engines as well. Another trend is the high pace of new product introductions. This is related to the increased competition across many markets but in particular in the work and commercial UTV markets as traditional golf car manufacturers seek growth outside of fleet sales and power sports manufacturers look to expand beyond recreation and crossover applications into the work utility segment in general and commercial sub-segment specifically.

Delta-Q Technologies Launches New Charger for Utility Vehicles

Posted on February 24, 2015 by Marc Cesare

Delta-Q Technologies used the recent expo, The Rental Show 2015, to launch a pair of new electric vehicle battery chargers, the IC650 Industrial Battery Charger for aerial lifts and the QuiQ 1500 for utility vehicles. According to the company,

The QuiQ 1500 allows users to charge existing battery packs up to 30 percent faster than the QuiQ 1000 or equip machines with a bigger pack, meeting a 5- or 8-hour charging time. The QuiQ 1500 is compact and matches the exact dimensions and mounting holes of the existing QuiQ 1000, allowing swift replacement of any existing QuiQ charger. In addition, it can be used as an additional, off-board charger to charge battery packs faster.

The chargers have charging profiles for a range of popular batteries from brands such as Discover Energy, Fullriver, Interstate, Trojan and U.S. Battery. The company also provides generic profiles for different battery types and Amp hour ranges. Learn more: Delta-q.com

Club Car Introduces The Precedent Stretch PTV

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The new four person Precedent Stretch PTV from Club Car.

Club Car has launched a new personal transportation vehicle (PTV), the Precedent Stretch. The four-person vehicle includes four forward-facing streets, an optional19-mph Private Use Speed Option, 3.7-hp IQ Plus™ electric motor, a 350-amp controller and ERIC, a new charging system. ERIC issues audio and visual alerts to inform owners when charging begins, when the car is fully charged, when the battery state of charge drops below 20% and 10%, and of any problems with the charger. The Precedent Stretch, purposely built for four people, also features a tubular aluminum frame, spacious bagwell and heavy-duty SportDrive™ Steering and Suspension System. The full press release follows the comment.

Comment: What I find interesting about this new vehicle is that it is a PTV and not an LSV. PTVs have a higher maximum speed than what is typically found for golf cars, 19 mph vs 15 mph, but is not as fast as an LSV, 25 mph. The vehicle is clearly aimed at gated communities where people would like to travel faster but don’t want the added expense of an LSV, which must have a set of mandated safety features. This choose may indicate that Club Car finds more potential in the non-LSV personal transportation market in gated communities than in the market for LSVs for use on local public roads.

Press Release

Club Car Introduces New Precedent Stretch PTV (Personal Transportation Vehicle) with 19-mph Private Use Speed Option
New Four-Passenger Electric Vehicle Is Great for Neighborhood Transportation, Small Businesses and Golf

Club Car introduces the versatile new Precedent Stretch personal transportation vehicle (PTV). It combines unsurpassed power and durability with four forward-facing seats and 35 additional inches of legroom, for people who want to take the long view. In the Precedent Stretch PTV, drivers don’t have to leave a friend or relative behind or sitting on a rear-facing seat. “The vehicle’s automotive design fosters conversation, camaraderie and comfort. It delivers the most front and rear legroom of any four-passenger vehicle in its class,” says Product Manager David Woodward. The Precedent Stretch PTV comes with a maximum speed of 15 mph or with Club Car’s 19-mph Private Use Speed Option, making it ideal for neighborhood transportation.

Engineered to Carry the Load

Many small four-passenger vehicles are simply traditional golf cars that have been extended by a third-party provider, often putting the OEM warranty at risk. The Precedent Stretch PTV was designed to carry the additional length and weight. The car is equipped with 10 percent more battery capacity, providing more range than competitive vehicles. The system features:

A rugged 3.7-hp IQ Plus™ electric motor
A 350-amp controller
A heavy-duty solenoid
Four-gauge battery wires
Regenerative brakes that capture and store energy used during braking, extending the miles per charge

Durable, Environmentally Safe and Family-friendly
The vehicle uses no gas and releases no carbon emissions. It comes with:

A spacious bagwell for groceries, gear or two sets of clubs.
An exclusive rustproof, corrosion-resistant, 2-x-3-inch tubular aluminum frame that makes it more impact resistant than steel frames.
An extended Monsoon Top™ Canopy with built-in drains that channel water to the ground.
A heavy-duty SportDrive™ Steering and Suspension System for a smoother ride and better handling.
An integrated rear-passenger grab bar, a five-panel mirror and improved rear braking for safety.
One of the longest, most inclusive warranties in its class.

Heads Off Charging Errors
The Precedent Stretch PTV has a new charging system known as ERIC (Efficient. Reliable. Intelligent. Connected.).
“The solid-state, high-frequency system works globally, keeps charging even during voltage fluctuations, and outsmarts common user errors,” says Woodward.
ERIC issues audio and visual alerts to inform owners when charging begins, when the car is fully charged and of any problems with the charger. On-car dash lights alert drivers when the battery state of charge falls to 20 and then 10 percent charge so they don’t get stranded.
Unlike chargers in competitive vehicles, ERIC continuously monitors the battery pack after charging and delivers power as needed. It can be charged through a standard 110-volt outlet, and comes with a standard single-point watering system that makes battery maintenance quick and easy.

Michelin Launches Non-Pneumatic Wheel For Mowers

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Marc Cesare

The Michelin X Tweel non-pneumatic tire on a John Deere mower.

Michelin recently launched their X Tweel non-pneumatic tire for some of their commercial mowers. The airless tire and wheel uses

“…a combination of deformable polyurethane spokes, a steel-and-rubber outer rim, and rigid metal hub. The outer rim—called a shear beam—carries most of the load. The spokes and hub distribute the load across different parts of the shear beam as the tire rolls over objects.”

The tire is available for their ZTrak series of mowers and according to John Deere lasts two to three times longer than other tires. The X Tweel are only being used on slow-moving vehicles currently because at high speeds, airless tires tend to vibrate and make lots of noise. The company sees golf cars and small utility vehicles as the next likely market. The reported cost is $749 for a pair of tires. Learn more: Popsci.com

Comment: Non-pneumatic tires are a likely to become more prevalent in the next three to five years. Polaris has also recently began selling their non-pneumatic wheel into commercial markets after first being used for some of their military vehicles. While it would seem ideal for high end side-by-sides being used on rough trails, Polaris has noted that the wheels have to be in effect “tuned” for a model’s and suspension, so it is likely that commercial users will be the first to use the wheels. Currently a set of four of the Polaris Terrainarmor wheels costs $4,000 and includes a speed key to limit vehicle speed to 25 mph.

Research Demonstrates Effectiveness of Solar Panels For Vehicle Range Extension

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Marc Cesare

University of Windsor associate professor Narayan Kar, left, and Unconquered Sun founder and CEO Sean Moore, in front of a electric powered shuttle outfitted with solar panels. (Photo: Julie Kotsis/The Windsor Star)

Researchers from the University of Windsor have conducted testing that show the effectiveness of solar panels to extend the range of electric vehicles. The research was performed in collaboration with Unconquered Sun Solar Technologies, a solar panel company based in Ontario with manufacturing facilities in Windsor. According to the company’s management, the testing showed that driving range could be extended 45% on average. Unconquered Sun is planning on launching a line of low-speed vehicles with rooftop solar panels in the Spring. For the testing, the solar panels used Lexan rather than heavier glass for the lamination of the solar cells. Learn more: Windsorstar.com

Comment: There are a number of companies in the market that provide electric STOVs with solar panel options. For example, some of Polaris’ GEM as well as Club Car provide a solar panel option from Solardrive for some of their electric vehicles. This research is just one more sign that this trend is likely to continue and even gain more momentum. The college/university market which has a strong interest in building green and sustainable fleets are a likely target for this type of vehicle option.

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Information on the small, task-oriented vehicle market

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