Category Archives: Uncategorized

LSVs Take It On the Chin Again

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Recent articles from the Wall Street Journal and ABC News have characterized the EESA federal tax credit for LSVs as a stimulus or bailout for golf cars.  The term “golf car” or “golf cart” is used in the headlines in both the stories, and not for the purposes of flattery.  This is another reminder of an image problem that the LSV industry has – that their product is often seen as only a glorified golf car.

I believe this image makes it more difficult for the industry to obtain governmental support at federal, state or local levels, whether for tax credits, financial assistance for manufacturers or road use ordinances.  In addition, it obscures the very real differences in value between LSVs and golf cars that are reflected in their respective prices. – Marc Cesare

Universities Give Miles Automotive LSVs A Failing Grade

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Three Michigan universities have returned or are in the process of returning three electric vehicles produced by Miles Automotive because of limited range. According to reports university personnel were promised a vehicle range of 80 miles per charge but have only been able to realize half that or less, the equivalent of about half a work day. This is approximately the range that is currently estimated by the manufacturer for the vehicle, so it sounds like performance for these vehicles, which the universities were using on a trial basis, was over promised. The range problem is being attributed to the cold Michigan weather’s negative impact on battery performance. Learn more: Autologgreen.com

Road Use Regulations Roundup – September

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Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

  • Some cities and states are expanding road use regulations to include mini-trucks and other off-road vehicles
  • LSV/NEV road use ordinances continue to be passed by local municipalities although safety concerns, usually raised by the local police department, remain an issue
  • In some localities the new LSV ordinances prohibit the use of golf cars which previously had been allowed
  • Texas MSV and Massachusetts LSV laws went into effect

Boonville, Ind – Warrick County officials have taken the first steps to allowing ATVs to use some county roads.

Baraboo, WI – City Council approves ordinance allowing NEVs to be used on most city streets.

Minnesota – Minnesota House of Representatives passes bill allowing the use of mini-trucks on local streets and highways under a special permit issued by the local governments.

Ocean City, NJ – Ordinance banning the use LSVs on city streets which was supported by the police department failed to pass.

Peabody, KS – Local ordinance is passed allowing alternative transportation vehicles on city streets including ATVs, golf carts and mini-trucks.

Saanich, British Columbia, Canada – City Council bans the use of NEVs on city streets because of concerns about the safety of vehicles in crashes with highway speed vehicles.

Neoga, IL – City Council passes ordinance allowing NEVs to be used on city streets.

Wheeling, IL – Village Board passes ordinance allowing NEVs to be used on city streets.

Massachusetts – On July 31, 2009 the states NEV ordinance , which allows vehicles to operate on streets with speed limits of 30 mp or less, went into effect.

Colorado – State Senate passed a bill allowing NEVs and street legal golf cars to be operated on streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

Texas – On September 1, 2009 the state’s MSV law, which allows NEVs to be operated on streets with speed limits of 45 mph or less, went into effect. In addition a new law stops the state DMV from registering golf carts but allows cities to pass their own ordinances governing golf cars.

Chesterton, IN – State LSV law went into effect on July 1, 2009 that excludes the use of golf cars on the city streets.  Chesterton previously allowed the use of golf cars on city streets.

Nebraska – State legislature is considering whether mini-trucks and other off-road vehicles should be allowed on public roads.

Abilene, KS – City passes ordinance allowing the use of work-site utility vehicles and mini-trucks on city streets except main thoroughfares.

Electric Utility Study Demonsrates Efficiency Of E-Z-GO’s RXV

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A recent study by the utility Southern California Edison that an E-Z-GO RXV electric golf car which uses an AC drive is as much as 39% more efficient compared to standard DC drive golf cars. The RXV also features full-time regenerative braking and a PowerWise QE charger that help improve energy usage. The AC drive golf car was also reported to maintain higher performance. Learn more: clubandresortbusiness.com

Club Car Extends European Tour Sponsorship

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Continuing a relationship that started in 1999, Club Car has extended their agreement to be the official golf car and utility vehicle and sponsor of the European tour. At least 70 Club Car golf cars are in use at each European Tour event. Learn more: sportsbizasia.com

Road Use Regulations Roundup – May

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Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

  • Some cities are expanding road use regulations to include golf cars
  • NEV road use ordinances continue to be passed by local municipalities although safety concerns remain an issue for some
  • Demand is in increasing for allowing utility vehicles and mini-trucks on public roads
  • Another state looking to adopt a medium speed vehicle law

North Carolina – Bill in the state assembly would add Currituck and New Hanover counties to a state law that allows golf cars on streets in several resort communities.

Pontiac, IL – Ordinance being drafted that would allow the use of modified golf cars as NEVs.

Normal, IL – Considering an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Merrill, WI – City council passed an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Colorado – House passed a bill that would allow NEVs on public highways.

Palm Desert, CA – Safety concerns have stalled a bill in the state legislature that would broaden the use of NEVs on city streets.

Minnesota – Legislation has passed both the state house and senate that would allow counties to permit the use of mini-trucks, but not on interstate and state highways.

New York – The state DMV issued an opinion that utility vehicles are not allowed on roads or ATV trails unless the law is changed.

New Strawn, KS – City council approved an ordinance that allows work-site utility vehicles and micro utility vehicles to be driven legally on city streets.

Cushing, OK – Passed an ordinance regulating the operation of mini bikes, golf carts, ATVs and utility vehicles on the streets and highways of the city.

Utah – Cities are debating allowing the use of mini-trucks on public roads. Since they are classified as street legal ATVs there is concern about allowing the use of all types of ATVs.

Oregon – Governor has introduced a transportation bill that creates a medium speed vehicle designation aimed at increasing the adoption of NEVs

G-Wiz Will Li-Ion LSVs Be Available Soon?

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The UK’s best selling electric vehicle, Reva G-Wiz, will shortly be available with a Li-ion battery pack according to the vehicle’s retailer GoinGreen. The city car with a top speed of 51 mph will also have an off-board fast-charger. The new setup will be available in May of this year offer a number of advantages according to the company including:

  • Range increase from 48 to 75 miles
  • Fast-charging off-board – 90% in 1 hr and complete in 1.5 hrs
  • Regular charging reduced to 6 hrs
  • 20% less energy required for charging
  • Lighter weight (15% less) and better acceleration

The vehicle will be priced at £15,795 ($23,300)

Learn more: thegreencarwebsite.co.uk.com

Comment: Since this city car is only one step above an LSV and has a price point not that far above higher end LSVs can Li-ion battery packs be that far behind for LSVs? We reported earlier that Dynasty was looking into this possibility. This may become even more likely as states pass more MSV laws and allow for greater functionality in these vehicles. -Mcesare.

Stimulus Bill Tax Credits

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides tax credits for plug-in electric scooters, three-wheelers and low speed vehicles. The tax credit is 10% of the purchase price up to $2,500 for new vehicles purchased. According to the bill, the tax credit is limited to the first 200,000 vehicles that are eligible for the tax credit and is for vehicles purchased in 2010 and 2011.  Sources have told us that manufacturers have lobbied to make the tax credit effective immediately.  The tax credit is set to expire at the end of 2011 or before, if the vehicle limit is reached.

BG Autmotive Looking For Manufacturing Sites

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A local news story reports that Philadelphia based BG Automotive is looking for manufacturing sites in the Boston area including Bridgewater, Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford. The facility will be for mass production of their C100 neighborhood electric vehicle and employ about 150 people per shift. The company is looking for a site for a 60,000 – 100,000 square foot facility and is currently seeking funding.

Since the vehicle’s parts are imported and most of the activity at the facility would be assembly the company expects vehicle production could begin in as little as four months once a facility is found. The chassis and body of the vehicle are imported while components like the motor, controller and batteries are manufactured in the U.S. Delivery of the first vehicle is expected to be in April or May of 2009 according to the company’s website.

Another news source also states that

The company is planning to develop six facilities in the next 24 months for a total production of about 100,000 vehicles by year-end 2010.

I thought these latter figures were quite aggressive so I placed a call with BG Automotive and was able to speak with Barry Bernstein, the founder of the company.

He confirmed that the company is looking to develop six facilities with the ability to produce around 15,000 vehicles each annually. While our estimates of the LSV market size the market at less than 10,000 vehicles a year, Bernstein noted that interest in their vehicle has been higher than expected with over 44,000 people signing up on their website. No deposit is required to sign up initially but as the actual production date moves closer a deposit is required.

Bernstein also noted that the facilities will be designed to easily switch over to highway-speed electric vehicle production which is in the company’s long term plans. Besides Massachusetts, the Philadelphia based company is also looking to place facilities close to major LSV markets including California, Georgia, Texas, Northern Florida, Pennsylvania and the Tennessee – Kentucky area. They are applying for loan guarantees and other support from both federal and state agencies but will be able to scale down their facilities if they cannot garner this support. Bernstein expects to have more information on their site selection in about two weeks.

Road Use Regulation Round Up

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Ocean City, NJ – Police urge city council to keep golf cars off city streets for safety reasons.

West Baraboo, WI – Passes ordinance allowing NEVs on low speed streets and certain crossings of state highway.

Charleston, NC – A limousine service with two Tomberlin E-merge vehicles as part of their fleet had to cease using the LSVs when the city attorneys determined the vehicles violated city code and zoning ordinance. The owner hopes the city will revisit the issue later in the year.

Wausau, WI – City amends ordinance to allow NEVs to be driven on some city streets.

Massachusetts – Legislation bans the use of NEVs on roads with speed limits above 30 mph and requires that they follow the same licensing and registration rules as cars. Additional legislation allows the Registry of Motor Vehicles to register as “motorcycles” three-wheeled electric vehicles that have standard safety equipment and travel no faster than 40 miles per hour. (i.e. Zap Xebra) Such vehicles could be registered at the discretion of the Registrar, and would be limited to traveling on public roads having speed limits of 40 miles per hour or less.

Pittsfield, IL – Ordinance proposed to allow the use of NEVs and golf cars to operate on city streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less and cross streets with higher speed limits.

Indiana – Legislation proposed to allow mini-trucks to be licensed and titled. Apparently the state’s motor vehicle department has been inconsistent in their approach to these vehicles. The department plans to title them as off-road vehicles, which allows owners to drive them on secondary roads in some Indiana counties.