Category Archives: Technology

Vehicle OEM News

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Kubota Introduces Two UTVs in Australia – Kubota Tractor Australia recently introduced the diesel powered RTV1140 and the gas?? powered RTV500.?? The RV1140 features four-wheel drive and a 28.5 hp engine along with 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, hydrostatic power steering and hydraulic bed lift as standard.?? The smaller RTV500 features electronic fuel injection, a 200 kg payload and can easily be transported to work areas.?? Learn more:?? Fatcow.com.au

AVID Vehicles e-Warrior

AVID Vehicles e-Warrior

AVID Vehicles of the UK Launches Electric UTV – AVID Vehicles based in Cramlington, UK recently launched their e-Warrior electric utility vehicle.?? The vehicle features dual DC motors, a range of 40 miles, a top speed of 25 to 30mph?? and a 250kg payload.?? MSRP is US$15,600.?? The company plans to produce 500 vehicles in 2011 and 1,000 in 2012.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress Journallive.co.uk

LSV Maker Wheego Unveils Full-speed EV – Wheego Electric Cars, manufacturer of the Wheego Whip LSV, will unveil the two-seat subcompact Wheego LiFe at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.?? The car has a 100 mile range, 20 kWh Li-ion battery pack and a MSRP of $32,995.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress.com

Sandia National Labs Wins Award for Solar Powered GEM

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Sandia National Laboratories has won a 2010 GreenGov Presidential award for modifying a GEM LSV to operate on solar power.?? The awards honor federal agencies and employees who work to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, meet a number of energy, water and waste reduction targets and leverage federal purchasing power to promote environmentally responsible products and techniques.

PV-powered GEM carts would reduce the number of needed charging stations, resulting in fewer repairs and decreased maintenance costs. Converting to solar powered carts also translates to significant environmental savings. Because no power is purchased for the PV-powered cart, no coal is burned, and no carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere to power them.

According to management Sandia will be expanding the program by modifying five Club Car LSVs. Learn more:?? Photonicsonline.com

Madison, WI To Expand Charging Infrastructure

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Madison Gas & Electric Co. and Coulomb Technologies announced plans to expand Madison’s current number of EV charging stations from 3 to 24.?? Originally, plans called for six charging stations, but now an additional eighteen are planned.?? The stations are part of a demonstration project to understand study charging patterns and their impact on the power grid. MG&E is looking for owners of plug-in electric hybrids and neighborhood electric vehicles to volunteer for the project.?? All charging locations will be free and available to the public.

The project is funded by a portion of a $5.5 million smart grid investment grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.?? The charging stations will be two-tiered charging stations that feature both a standard and a faster charging option.?? The stations can charge two vehicles at a time and will be located in high traffic areas.?? Learn more:?? Carbondayautomotive.com

 

Cruise Car Launches All American Line

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This week Cruise Car of Sarasota, FL introduced their new All American line of 15 solar electric LSVs.?? The vehicles are produced in the US and feature up to 50% recycled or certified re-manufactured parts and materials.?? The All American Line is GSA Schedule approved and Cruise Car recently shipped 30 All American LSV???s to the U.S. Navy base in San Diego, CA.?? The LSVs, built on an aluminum chassis, can be purchased with or without solar and can accommodate from 2 to 14 passengers. The vehicles are also eligible for solar tax credits.?? Learn more:?? PRweb.com

Marines Continuing Research On Robotic UTV For Troop Support

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The US Marines are continuing efforts to develop a cargo-carrying robotic “mule” meant to accompany ground troops on foot patrols and into combat.?? While other branches of the military have had difficulty keeping costs down, the Marines are trying to use off-the-shelf hardware to be more cost efficient.

Known as the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) mule, it is being jointly designed by the Marines’ Warfighting Lab, Virginia-based tech firm TORC Technologies and students at Virginia Tech.?? Vehicle prototypes are based on a stock MZ700 6×6 utility vehicle from Polaris.?? In July four prototypes reportedly performed well in early stage testing using “realistic training events”.?? Learn more:?? Flightglobal.com

EV Infrastructure News

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Eaton & Murphy Oil USA start EV charging demonstration project. Eaton will provide their DC Quick Chargers and Murphy Oil USA brings over 1,000 gas stations in 22 states to the project.?? An initial test deployment will begin in Tennessee before the partners decide how to expand distribution.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress.com

Santa Cruz, CA to add more charging stations. The Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Alliance recently secured more funding for installing more charging stations around the county.?? While existing stations initially targeted NEVs, the new stations will??also??offer enough voltage for charging highway electric cars.?? Learn more:?? Kionrightnow.com

New Polaris Offerings For 2011

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Between family vacation and the launch of our latest STOV study It’s been a few weeks since my last post so there have been some developments in the market to catch up on.?? I’ll start with the introduction by Polaris of their 2011 product line.?? Despite a down economy they have been able take market share and be aggressive in the product development with new vehicles targeting specific market segments and improvements to existing models.?? New vehicles include the RANGER 500 EFI, RANGER CREW 500 and RANGER Diesel. The latter targets the agriculture segment where diesel is the preferred fuel.

Enhancements to current product offerings include increased power to RANGER XP 800 and RANGER XP 800 EPS, and power steering on the Polaris Pursuit Camo RANGER CREW 800. All 2011 RANGER products, with the exception of RANGER EV, will be outfitted with easy-buckle driver and passenger safety nets.

The RANGER RZR line will have even more razor sharp performance with a new look that increases cooling airflow by 29 percent, provides a 30 percent improvement in range and delivers increased performance as a result. The RANGER RZR 800 will receive six percent more power with the addition of the 800 H.O. engine and be more trail-friendly with new rear rack extenders. ??RANGER RZR S 800 will feature new big bore shocks, be the first stock vehicle to feature ITP 900 XCT tires and will be available in two premium painted editions along with a standard edition, which will receive a new lower price. For razor sharp performance for four, Polaris will offer the RANGER RZR 4 800in two Robby Gordon packages, a painted black and red limited edition and a power steering version that includes Robby Gordon-inspired graphics.

The company also launched the civilian version of their EV LSV which originally targeted the government market and added new parts and accessories for vehicles across the product line.?? Learn more:?? Motorsportsnewswire.wordpress.com

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Technology News

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HighFlex Solar Product

HighFlex Solar's flexible panel

HighFlex Solar – This early stage startup produces flexible lightweight solar panels for a variety of uses including for the automotive market.

The flexible panels dispense with the ‘glass sandwich’ approach used by most photovoltaic module vendors.?? Treves [the CEO] claims that this allows for a six-percent increase in power generation because of increased transmissivity. This also potentially allows a lot more of the environment in — so Treves has to prove that the product can handle thermal cycling, impact and UV.

Learn more:?? Greentechmedia.com

Lithium Air Batteries – Companies large and small such as IBM and PolyPlus of Berkeley, CA are working to develop lithium air batteries which could potentially greatly increase the power to weight ratio of lithium based batteries.?? PolyPlus uses a ceramic membrane that allows oxygen to pass but not water which would be a problem given the highly reactive nature of lithium.?? IBM is on track to develop a demo battery based on their technology for a full-size car by mid-decade.?? Learn more:?? Forbes.com

New UTVs Hitting The Market

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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

What’s Cooking On the STOV

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Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

Gator at Astley Park

Gator in use at Astley Park in Chorley, UK

Park Maintenance – Gardeners in Astley Park in Chorley, UK are pleased with their new Gator. The vehicle is used to manage the woodland, keep footpaths clear and maintain the flowering gardens. According to Councillor Eric Bell, Chorley Council???s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, ???The new machine is a lot more versatile. It means that our gardeners can reach all parts of the magnificent Astley Park a lot easier saving time and money .” Learn more: Chorleycitizen.co.uk

Forest Preserve Policing & Trolley – Managers of the Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville, IL are looking for sponsorship to support the acquisition of electric vehicles for policing and transporting tourists around the grounds.?? The vehicles from Cruise Car are electric powered and supplanted with solar power which can increase vehicle range by 30 percent.?? The police vehicle is small enough for patrolling on trails and according to Mike Tully, the district’s director of operations and public safety, “It’s a very visible vehicle but at the same time it’s not obtrusive. It’s approachable. It doesn’t give you that police-car-on-the-prowl look.”?? Vehicle sponsors would have their company logos and graphics prominently placed on the vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Dailyherald.com