Growth capital firm Tandem Expansion has invested in $17 million in fellow Canadian firm Delta Q Technologies.?? Delta-Q makes power conversion and power management systems for electric vehicles.?? Key end markets include golf cars, aerial work platforms, industrial floor-cleaning machines, and low-speed neighborhood vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Xconomy.com
Club Car editorial – The CEO of Club Car, Gary S. Michel recently wrote an opinion piece in the Augusta Chronicle promoting the local manufacturers of golf cars, LSVs and light transportation vehicles (LTVs)?? as a “clean and green” industry that can not only help the environment but the economy as well.?? He asks for state legislators to help expand the market for these type of vehicles through a variety of government actions.
Specifically, our industry would like to see lawmakers enact legislation that breaks down barriers to the expanded use of electric vehicles. Passage of Senate Bill 519 last month, which would allow LTVs to operate after sunset as long as they met other requirements, was a step in the right direction.
But we also need the legislature to create tax incentives that encourage consumers and businesses to purchase electric vehicles, as well as incentives for manufacturers to create “green” jobs. What’s more, we need increased discussion and coordination between government, education and other business stakeholders to promote innovative ways to expand the use of light transportation vehicles.
Learn more:?? Chronicle.augusta.com
Club Car partners with Gary Player – Earlier this month Club Car announced a multiyear marketing agreement with Gary Player and Black Knight International to promote each others brands internationally.
Under terms of the agreement, Black Knight International, which includes?? Gary Player Design, Player Real Estate, Black Knight Enterprises and The Player Foundation, will work with Club Car to introduce the company???s vehicles, equipment and services at courses and real estate developments where Black Knight is affiliated. Club Car also will develop strategies to promote the company and its golf car and utility vehicle lines through an association with the?? Gary Player brand.
Earlier this week the California Air Resources Board announced they would start?? taking rebate applications for their Agricultural UTV Rebate
Project which targets electric UTVs for agricultural operations.?? Eligible vehicles will qualify for a rebate of 15% of MSRP up to $2,500.?? Manufacturers currently with models eligible for rebates include Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, Polaris Industries, John Deere and ZAP.?? Rebates for models on the eligible list range from $825 to $1,950.
To receive a rebate the purchaser must be classified as a California agricultural operation.?? The statewide program is being administered by the San Joquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and has nearly $1 million available for rebates.???? Rebates?? are given on a first come first serve basis and there is no limit on the number of vehicles for which a purchaser can receive a rebate.?? Only new vehicles qualify.
A rough calculation, assuming an average rebate of around $1,600 per vehicle, means over 600 vehicles will be covered by the program.?? This would represent a sizable share of the electric UTV market. ?? Learn more:?? Valleyair.org
A recent report showed strong growth in what is referred to as China’s low speed vehicle market which includes low-speed trucks and three wheeled vehicles.?? Compared to the first quarter of 2009, the output of low-speed trucks climbed 6.43% to 142,700 units, while that of three-wheeled vehicles rose 17.45% to 493,000 units.?? In both sub-segments the top 10 producers account for nearly 90% or more of the output.?? Learn more:?? Alibaba.com
My colleague Stephen Metzger has written a pair of articles for IUV magazine. The first is a recap of what he learned at the recent PGA Show and Golf Industry Show. Some of the themes he touches on in the article include:
In the second article he puts some numbers to the recession induced downturn in the STOV market. He notes that at the same time vehicle improvements and innovation continue to occur, as well as a broadening of the applications for these vehicles. Learn more: IUVMag.com
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced the purchase of 23 electric powered LSVs for use in 22 state parks.?? The department purchased the vehicles from e-Ride Industries of Minnesota and Columbia ParCar of Wisconsin.?? The vehicles have a utility vehicle configuration and feature enclosed cabs.?? Parks management noted the low operating costs of the vehicles and lack of air pollution they produce.?? Learn more:?? NBC15.com
Hindustan Motors announced the launch of their compressed natural gas (CNG) powered mini-truck for the Indian market.?? The vehicle is based on their existing Winner model and is compliant with the latest emission standards.?? Local regulations in Dehli regarding the conversion of diesel powered vehicles is expected to help the company sell 2,000 vehicles by the end of the year in the city.?? The?? Intraco group of Singapore will sell the vehicle in Bangladesh. The vehicle is considered a light commercial vehicle (LCV) and management expects the market for these vehicles to grow from 240,000 to 450,000 in 2014.?? Learn more:?? Sindhtoday.com
Following an ongoing market trend of manufacturers producing street legal utility vehicles, GatorMoto Utility Vehicles recently announced?? the Electro Bubble Buddy Mountaineer LSV.
With a 72 volt engine with DC converter to 12 volts, 5 speed electric transmission, front axle independent suspension, integrative rear axle with leaf spring and vibration absorber, rack and pinon steering with automatic rocker compensating function and front disc brake and rear drum brake with hydraulic system, this vehicle is the choice of municipalities, police, EMTs, fire departments and other applications which require more torque in the engine.?? It can also be ordered with optional LED emergency light bars.?? Other available options include custom graphics, custom body color, storage cover, quick charging system, DVD player with monitor, and back up cameras.
The Electro Buddy Mountaineer LSV features a Curtis Controller, Trojan 105 batteries, 12:49:1 axle ratio for climbing, AM/FM/CD with speakers, two-tone paint scheme,??rear lockable trunk, DOT approved seat belts, AS-1 certified windshield, and 2 on board charger units.?? Black vinyl captains chairs with adjustable backs and adjustable formed arm rests provide comfortable seating for up to four passengers.
The vehicle has an MSRP of $17,900.00 and the 5 kW model is eligible for the 10% federal tax credit.?? Learn more:?? Gatormotoutilityvehicles.com
Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles
GEMs At San Diego International Airport
Airport Transport & Utility – As part of celebrating the upcoming Earth Day San Diego International Airport recently highlighted their use of electric powered LSVs and utility vehicles.?? Their fleet of fourteen vehicles include 10 GEMs and 4 Taylor-Dunn vehicles in two and four passenger configurations, as well as utility configurations.?? The vehicles are part of the airport’s overall “green” strategy.?? Officials estimate that the vehicles save them 80% in fuel costs compared to using gas-powered vehicles for the same work.?? Learn more:?? Examiner.com
Sevcon, Inc. announced that they will be providing controls for the recently launched Polaris Ranger EV, an electric powered utility vehicle.?? The AC motor controllers, branded Gen 4, are the latest version developed by Sevcon specifically for electric vehicles.?? The controls will manage the operation of both the motor and regenerative braking system.?? Learn more:???? Allbusiness.com