Zap has announced the development of an 8,000 watt wheel motor which could be incorporated into production vehicles next year if funding is available.?? The new motor is based on technology behind the electric motor used in their scooter, the Zapino.?? The Zapino motor is 3,000 watts and seven inches in diameter compared to 8,000 watts and ten inches for the new motor.?? If wheel motors are incorporated into four-wheel vehicles, the transmission and drive train can be eliminated and more space can be made available for additional batteries.?? Learn more?? marketwire.com
Category Archives: utility vehicles
Polaris Announces New On-Road Division
Yesterday Polaris Industries announced the creation of a new On-Road Division with their Victory Motorcycles brand being a major component. In the press release?? the company does not provide specific information about other products that may be produced by the new division:
Polaris is committed to growing its on-road vehicle business through continued growth in the motorcycle industry along with successfully introducing products into other on-road adjacencies in the future.
Polaris is well known for their off-road products:?? snowmobiles, ATVs, and utility vehicles.?? It will be interesting to see if they move beyond motorcycles in the on-road?? space. Learn more:?? Polarisindustries.com
Road Use Regulations Roundup – May
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
Kawasaki To Cut Workforce
According to a press release from Kawasaki Motors, 320 employees at their Lincoln, NE plant are being offered buyouts.?? Besides utility vehicles, the plant produces all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft and other leisure?? vehicles.?? The buyout offer follows the laying off of 170 employees in January of this year.?? The press release states that, “Kawasaki is experiencing increased inventory levels due to rapidly declining sales”.?? Management also remaked that the plant has been operating on short weeks since the beginning of the year.?? Learn more???? omaha.com
Mini Trucks Offer Competition In Some Utility Vehicle Segments
I came across a story about how farmers were choosing Japanese mini-trucks to replace pick-ups for use on their farms.?? This puts them in direct competition with utility vehicles which are also replacing pick-ups on farms, college campuses, parks and other areas.?? The mini-trucks are typically faster than utility vehicles, a top speed around 50 mph, although some new vehicles are being built to LSV standards, and have the advantage of an enclosed cab. They offer better gas mileage than pick-ups, upwards of 40-50 mpg .
There however is an issue with registration of the vehicles and road use regulations.?? The?? law varies from state to state on whether they?? can be?? registered and or used on local roads, even if it is driving between?? parts?? of?? the same farm. Louisiana recently passed a law allowing them to be used on certain roads.
Many of the mini trucks are purchased as used vehicles imported from Japan where various regulations apparently make it more economical to purchase a new vehicle after certain amount of use rather than comply with the regulations.?? Learn more:?? japanese4x4minitrucks.com and here
Cruise Car Shows Off Solar Electric Hybrid LSVs
Cruise Car used Earth Day to bring attention to their line of solar electric hybrid low speed vehicles.?? The full line of vehicles range from 2-14 passenger vehicles including utility vehicles.?? The Sunray and Solar Kudo models feature a roof top solar panel that can continuously charge the batteries while the vehicle is in the sun.
The company also offers the Sunray Solar Roof Kit that can be retrofitted to most standard electric golf cars on the market.?? Cruise Car states that
These solar panels can generate up to 180 watts, 60 volts and supply a hefty 3 amps directly to a 36 or 48 volt battery…. Converting a cart to a Sunray top will benefit the end user by increasing the distance the cart can go on a single charge by 30%.
The vehicles with solar panels are also eligible for a federal solar tax credit of 30% and individual states may have additional solar related tax credits as well. Learn more:?? cruisecar.com
More Peapod News
A recent interview with Peapod designer Peter Arnell reveals some more information about the vehicle. The first version of the vehicle will be a four-door version with a 10hp motor. A two-door version, called the Twinpod, is coming later in the year and a utility configuration, the Utilitypod, hits the market in April 2010.?? Arnell remarks that one of the drivers for their target market of younger purchasers is iPod and iPhone integration.?? He also refers to the vehicle as an appliance because it is a “personal transport pod” that can be plugged in.?? Learn more:?? Treehugger.com
Comment: It will be interesting to see if they can reach the younger market.???? In other coverage they have talked about college students as a specific target segment. In a recent interview I had with a dealer that sells NEVs, including the GEM, they thought the Peapod might face tough competition from fully functional vehicles like the Kia Soul that do not cost much more than the Peapod.?? However, the dealer thought the speed restricted vehicle might have some appeal to parents purchasing the vehicle for their teenager to use.
I have spoken with an executive of another NEV manufacturer?? who also likes to sell their NEV as an appliance, but more in the context of an appliance as part of the typical set of appliances you would associate with a home.?? It will be interesting to see if this “appliance” label gains any traction in the market.?? mcesare
US Army LSV Program Has New Exec
Last week Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations and Environment) Keith Eastin appointed Jerry Hansen as the Army’s Senior Energy Executive in addition to serving as the deputy assistant secretary of the Army (Strategic Infrastructure).?? Managing the Army’s program to place 4,000 electric-powered LSVs across installations will be part of his responsibilities. Learn more:?? US Army
Bush Hog Utility Vehicles Recalled

Recalled Bush Hog Utility Vehicle
In cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission Bush Hog has voluntarily recalled their TH4400 (Trail Hand) and 4430 4X4 Off-Road Utility Vehicles.?? According to the CPSC:
The utility vehicle???s throttle cable can lock in freezing temperatures. This can cause the engine not to return to idle when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator pedal, posing a risk of loss of vehicle control and injury to the driver and passenger.
The recall includes approximately 850 vehicles sold from April to December 2008.?? Consumers should stop using the vehicles and bring them into a dealer for a free inspection and repair.?? As an incentive for bringing in the vehicles Bush Hog is offering a $50 check.?? Learn more:?? CPSC
Kubota Introduces Transformable 4-Passenger Utility Vehicle

Kubota RTV1140CPX - Two Rows of Seats

Kubota RTV1140CPX - One Row of Seats
Kubota’s RTV1140CPX utility vehicle allows the user to convert the vehicle from one row of seats to two row of seats in a three-step process.?? The four-wheel drive vehicle has a 24.8 hp diesel engine, disc brakes and a new VHT Plus transmission.?? The maximum cargo load is 1,102 lbs and towing capacity is 1,300 lbs.
Learn more:?? Kubota.com