Eric Bondy, the President and CEO of KYMCO USA since 2004, has joined E-Z-GO as Vice President, Consumer Value Stream. In his new position he will be responsible for strategy development and execution, worldwide sales, marketing, product development and channel development for a wide range of vehicles including Bad Boy Buggies, E-Z-GO’s Terrain and Express lines of UTVs, the Freedom line of personal golf cars, and the 2Five line of LSVs.
Cushman Hauler 1200X
This week Cushman introduced their new Hauler line of electric and gas powered utility vehicles. The product line includes the Hauler 800, 1000, 1200 and 1200x. The 800 and 1000 are powered by 48 volt electric systems while the 1200 is powered by a 13 hp gas engine. The 1200x comes in both electric and gas versions. The model designation indicates the vehicle’s payload capacity except for the 1200x which has a maximum payload of 1,000 lbs for the electric version and 800 lbs for the gas version. Learn more: Farmfutures.com
Coast Carts of Ventura, CA is an indicator of the growing market for LSVs in California. With local government mandates and a push at the state level to reduce gas consumption by 50%, there are plenty of local and state organizations looking for alternative vehicles for short-distance transportation. California also offers rebates above any available federal rebates and a rebate program specifically for farmers in the San Joaquin Valley switching to electric vehicles.
Coast Carts reports an increase in sales of 200% over the last twelve months. In response to the demand the dealership has added several new lines including the Breeze LSV from Polaris, Taylor-Dunn utility vehicles and Club Car vehicles to existing models from Garia and E-Z-Go. Learn more: VCStar.com
Polaris Industries recently reported record earnings for the first quarter of 2011. Management reported sales of $537.2 million and net income of $47.3 million for the quarter compared to $361.7 million and $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2010. For the full year 2011 management expects sales to increase 17%-20% compared to 2010.
I listened to the earnings conference call and here are some of the highlights as it relates to the STOV markets.
e-Ride Industries EXV2 Arriving At Antarctica
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has begun testing the performance of two electric powered utility vehicles from e-Ride Industries under the extreme conditions of Antarctica. The EXV2 models will face temperatures down to -50F at McMurdo Station. If they perform well, the largely diesel powered fleet of vehicles at the station could start being replaced with more efficient and less resource intensive EVs. The cost of transporting fuel to the station is expensive and there are pollution concerns in the largely pristine environment. The station already has renewable solar and wind energy to power the vehicles.
The vehicles were equipped with insulation and heaters for the batteries. The performance of the batteries in such cold conditions is the primary performance concern. The vehicles also have data loggers and performance data will be captured for at least year. They have been operational for a month already and are used daily, logging over 70 hours and 140 miles so far. Learn more: News.Thomasnet.com
Some themes in this latest regulation roundup:
State Level Regulations
Mississippi – Some residents are asking the state legislature to pass a law allowing the use of LSVs on public roads.
Nebraska – A bill is moving through the state legislature that will allow for the use of LSVs on public roads. This year’s bill excludes golf cars.
Virginia – A bill will likely become law that expands the mobility of golf cars and utility vehicles. While the bill is restricted to the town of Colonial Beach, it does set a precedent of allowing the vehicles to cross state highways at designated golf car crossings regardless of the state highway’s speed limit. Currently there was a speed limit restriction of 35 mph. In another bill the state’s parks departments will be able to use golf cars and utility vehicles on roads adjacent to parks as long as the road’ speed limit is 35 mph or less.
New York – A bill is moving through the legislature that would redefine all terrain vehicles (ATV) to include side-by-side utility vehicles that weigh as much as 1,500 pounds, raising the limit from the current 1,000 pounds. This would allow consumers to register the vehicles and use them for recreational riding where allowed.
Municipality Level Regulations
Waynesville, MO – Councilmen is urging the city to look into an ordinance for LSVs on city streets. Town officials want to know more about LSVs and the issue of crossing of state highways.
Kansas City, KS – An ordinance was not repealed, which would have allowed residents to operate all-terrain vehicles, micro utility trucks, work-site utility vehicles and golf carts on the city’s streets that feature speed limits of 30 miles an hour or less. The issue may be revisited since the vote was close and the mayor wants more consensus.
Columbus, NE – City officials did not pass a bill that would have allowed expanded use of UTVs on public streets. Concern about the vehicles operating in higher volume and higher speed traffic was the issue.
Muskego, WI – City officials are discussing allowing LSVs on public roads. Issues of concern are safety and traffic congestion.
Pardeeville, WI – A committee recommended to the full city board a proposal to allow LSVs on public roads.
Columbiana, OH – City officials are considering an ordinance to allow LSVs on public roads.
La Grange, NC – An ordinance was passed allowing golf cars and LSVs to be used on public roads. Traffic congestion is a concern.
Landis, NC – Town officials are planning a town meeting to discuss an ordinance allowing the use of LSVs on public streets.
Oak Island, NC – The city council had been discussing allowing modified golf cars on public roads but decided not to pursue an ordinance. The city already allows LSVs.
Rockport, TX – City officials pass ordinance that allows golf cars and LSVs to be used on public streets.
Juneau, AK – City officials are proposing a code change to allow LSVs on public roads, in part to allow the US Forest Service to drive to and from their offices using an electric vehicle they are planning on purchasing. The ordinance includes a provision that drivers pull over if traffic builds up behind them.
Florida’s First All Electric Car & Truck Dealership Opens – Suncoast Electric Vehicles recently opened in St. Petersburg, FL. The all electric vehicle dealership carries the Wheego Whip and a line of Vantage vans and trucks. Learn more: PRLog.org
Deland, FL Uses Stimulus Funds For LSVs – DeLand, FL was selected for an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, part of the fedreal stimulus money intended to reduce fuel emissions and energy use. The city is using part of the $1.2 million in grant money to purchase five LSVs to replace fossil fuel driven vehicles in the city’s fleet. Learn more: News-journalonline.com
Club Car Custom Designs Help Fight Cancer – As part of a fund-raising effort for the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, Club Car has hired a local artist to create custom paint designs on Club Car golf cars and utility vehicles. The design for each vehicle relate to the business making a donation and the vehicle will be displayed at the business during Masters Week. Club Car matches each business donation. Afterward the vehicles will be sold through Club Car’s dealer network to anyone interested in purchasing them. Learn more: Chronicle.augusta.com
Curtis Industries Modular Cab System for the Kawasaki Teryx
Curtis Industries, LLC has introduced a modular cab system for the Kawasaki Teryx utility vehicle that allows rapid transformation from a fully enclosed cab to an open-air ride in 60 seconds. The Curtis Rapid Convertible System (RCS) allows the user to choose one or all components for maximum flexibility as the weather changes. Learn more: blogs.4wheeloffroad.com
Some themes in this latest regulation roundup:
Fresno, CA – A bill passed by the Senate and was later signed by the governor that would allow Fresno to develop a neighborhood electric vehicle plan. A similar bill was signed that would authorize the County of Amador and the cities of Jackson, Sutter Creek, and Amador City, jointly or individually, to establish a similar neighborhood electric vehicle transportation plan.
Sicamous, British Columbia – City council voted not to allow LSVs on roads with speed limits greater than 40km/hr stating liability issues and the fact that the province has not endorsed LSVs yet.
Manitoba, CA – The provincial transportation department will be testing an LSV for performance in cold weather conditions as a precursor to potentially allowing LSVs on low speed provincial streets.
Platteville, IA – City council approved the use of LSVs on city streets.
Hudson, WI – City passes ordinance to allow NEVs on certain streets.
Columbia, IL – City council voted to allow the use of LSVs on local roads despite the police chief’s concern over safety.
New Westminster, Canada – The city is amending their laws to allow LSVs on low speed streets.
Madison, GA – City council decided not to allow golf cars on city streets. the council previously passed an ordinance allowing LSVs on the streets.
Southern Shores, TX – Town council decided against allowing golf cars to be driven on city streets with the police chief citing accident statistics regarding golf cars and the lack of safety features. The town does allow LSVs.
Faribault, MN – City council is looking to ease restrictions on driving golf cars and mini-trucks on city streets.
Chadron, SD – City council voted to allow UTVs on city streets under the same rules that currently apply to ATVs.
Duluth, MN – City council voted to not allow mini-trucks on public roads.
Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is opening three of their eight off-highway vehicle parks to utility vehicles.
The California Energy Commission recently approved over $12.5 million for nine projects related to alternative vehicle technology. Projects related to the STOV market included:
Many of the grants are matched by the participating companies and in some cases local governments provide additional funding or loans as well.