John Deere Marketing Initiatives

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Drive Green Challenge – For a third year John Deere will be bringing their Drive Green Challenge to select dealerships in the Midwest and East Coast. A total of 60 dealerships will be visited by a customized promotional tractor trailer with various Deere equipment for test drives and demonstrations.

A unique Gator utility vehicle – the “Tail Gator” XUV, complete with speakers and other gadgets – will be featured at the sites. In addition, there will be a drawing for a similar machine at the end of the summer, to be given to one visitor to the Challenge’s various dates.

Other dealerships will have satellite versions of the Challenge. Learn more: Machinefinder.com

Gator XUV Configurator – John Deere has added a new feature to their website, a configurator for their Gator XUV model. The features allows for a range of vehicle customizations which are then sent to a dealer for a quote. Learn more: Machinefinder.com

John Deere Sponsors Iowa NASCAR Event – An Iowa Speedway event has been renamed the John Deere Dealer’s 250. The NASCAR event on May 22nd is expected to attract over 50,000 fans including a few thousand John Deere equipment owners as part of a dealer tie-in. Ten free one-year leases for a Gator utility vehicle will be given away as part of the promotion. Learn more: Machinefinder.com

Charging Infrastructure News

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Marc Cesare

EV solar charging station at Brooklyn Bridge Park

A Solar Charging Station Grows In Brooklyn – Brooklyn Bridge Park recently became home to the city’s first solar powered electric vehicle charging station. The station was developed and donated by the Beautiful Earth Group, a renewable energy developer based in Brooklyn, and uses two recycled shipping containers stacked on top of one another and 24 photovoltaic panels. The station will be used by the park’s fleet of four electric vehicles which include two GEM LSVs and two Toro utility vehicles. The charging stations fits with the park’s sustainability efforts and will also be incorporated into educational programs for children. Learn more: Brooklyneagle.com

Plugless Power wireless charging station from Evtran

Google Testing Wireless Charging Station – Google is testing wireless EV charging technology developed by Evtran of Virginia. Called Plugless Power, the recharging station will be used to power up one of Google’s NEVs that are used in the company’s vehicle sharing program for employees. The vehicle had to be retrofitted to work with the charger which works on the principle of induction similar to electric transformers except that the transformer is split between the charger and the vehicle. Evtran is looking for additional corporate or municipal NEV fleets to field test their product. Learn more: Cleantechnica.com

Some Solar Powered LSVs Operating Totally Off The Grid

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Cruise Car All American LSV with solar panel

Cruise Car management is reporting that some of their All American solar powered LSV customers are able to operate their vehicles completely off the grid. Customers are driving up to ten miles per day on just solar power alone and some have not had to use an external power source since purchasing their vehicles.

These reports provide more evidence that the STOV market continues to be sliced up into many sub-segments which are being satisfied by vehicles with a particular set of features and functionality. In this case the question is how large is the potential market for vehicles that can exclusively or predominately operate on solar power.

In the future we can anticipate an attempt to increase the solar power generated by these vehicles through larger solar panels, new photovoltaic technology and innovative placement of photovoltaic material on vehicles. As the range improves this sub-segment can grow incrementally.

It will be interesting to see if the market for fully functional electric vehicles like the Leaf and Volt can similarly develop based on range specific use. While some critics of electric vehicles seem to believe in an all or nothing approach when it comes to electric vehicle range, I think the STOV market demonstrates that there are niche markets based on the specific range needs of customers. In both markets, instead of producing a “perfect” vehicle in terms of range from the start, there exists the possibility to incrementally grow the market as technology and vehicle range improves. Learn more: Domesticfuel.com

John Deere Gator 825i Review

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Farm Industry News recently published a generally favorable review of the new John Deere Gator 825i. Not surprisingly, the review is based on the vehicle’s performance in an agriculture setting. What I like about the review is that it evaluates the vehicle based on application specific performance e.g. straddling 30 in. corn rows. The author suggested the vehicle would be a good alternative to a used pickup truck. Here is a quick summary of the review.

Some of the good:

Engine
Instrumentation/gauges
Underside protection
Build, Ride & Handling
Cargo box & organizer
Winch
Lighting

Needs improvement:

No power steering
Position of steering wheel
Position of shift and parking brake levers
Operation of parking brake
Air intake for clutch
Downhill braking

Learn more: Farmindustrynews.com

GGT Electric Looking For University Partners

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Marc Cesare

GGT Electric recently announced that they are looking to partner with two US universities for the research and development of electric trucks, electric cars and electric delivery vans. The Milford, MI based electric vehicle manufacturer is conducting a nationwide search and is considering universities with existing expertise or the willingness to develop expertise in electric vehicles. According to CEO Ray Leduc,

GGT’s future partners will search for improvements in the electric vehicle drive train space in the areas of low voltage motors, controllers, batteries and battery management systems.

Learn more: PRWeb.com

Utility Vehicle Technology Summit From IUV Magazine

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Marc Cesare

IUV Magazine is presenting their Utility Vehicle Technology Summit as part of the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association annual convention being held in Phoenix, AZ from April 30th to May 4th. The summit covers:

…the latest advances in special purpose vehicle design and engineering; battery and fuel cell technology; materials handling management and safety; the latest on government regulations; as well as product development information important to the emerging needs of the end-user.

The seminar format will allow for Q and A. Learn more: IUVSummit.com

Strategic Energy Development and Implications for Powering Utility Vehicles

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Marc Cesare

My colleague Stephen Metzger recently wrote an article for Industrial Utility Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Magazine (IUV Magazine) discussing energy development and the implications for utility vehicles. He touches on developments in electric vehicle infrastructure and alternatives to on-grid electricity. Learn more: IUVmag.com

UTV Shelter For Outdoorsmen

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Northlander Utility Vehicle Shelter from Canvas Craft

Canvas Craft of Minnesota offers their Northlander utility vehicle shelter that attaches to a Polaris Ranger. The shelter is designed for a range of outdoor uses including ice fishing, hunting and camping.

Its quick flip/lock and ride anchor system is designed for simple folding and mobility. The ultra lite frame stores in a boot behind the cab, leaving space in the bed for additional gear and equipment. Currently available in 5’W x 9.5’L.

Learn more: Canvascraftinc.com

UTV-Based Ocean Rescue Unit For US Navy

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Marc Cesare

Ocean Rescue Unit for US Navy

Kimtek Corporation has developed an ocean rescue unit for the US Navy based on a Polaris Ranger Crew UTV. Kimtek added their Emergency Utility Vehicle (EUV) conversion and the KIMTEK MEDLITE Transport MTD-10 mounted in the cargo area. Key features include:

…an all aluminum skid chassis with bright diamond plate, storage area with tailgate, rescue area to secure long board or stokes basket (not included) for patient transport, two ambulance grade stainless steel rescue grab bars, 3-position guide lock seat with seat belt, slide out tray in storage area, oxygen bottle holder, retractable IV pole, third attendant rail, and a quick disconnect mounting system. The special Ocean Rescue unit also features a WHELEN lighting/siren/PA package with exterior mounted speaker, full function control head, remote siren; two red LED body mounted strobes, a ROPS mounted Red LED strobe; three ROPS mounted scene lights (2 front and 1 rear facing); NFPA style reflective body stripe package with customized lettering package; two portable radio holders; and a mounted five pound ABC fire extinguisher.

Late last year Kimtek also introduced the MEDLITE™ Transport EV, a custom skid unit designed for the new Polaris Ranger EV. The unit allows emergency personnel to more easily operate in crowds and not expose patients and others to exhaust fumes.

Learn more: sxsnews.com and Kimtekresearch.com

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