Category Archives: ZAP

Evergreen Electric Vehicles Chooses Solar Drive For Vehicle Solar Panels

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Evergreen Electric Vehicles, an authorized ZAP dealer, has chosen Solar Drive as their provider for roof top solar panels for their vehicles.  The system from Denmark based Solar Drive includes two 100 watt panels and a proprietary controller.  Press release follows.

 

PRESS RELEASE

EVERGREEN Electric Vehicles endorses Solar Drive 

Evergreen Electric Vehicles, LLC endorses the Solar Drive system as the preferred Solar Top for all of its vehicles. “We are very impressed with the quality and performance of the Solar Drive products,” says Keith Andrews, President of Evergreen Electric Vehicles.  “The robust design and attention to detail are qualities that drew us to the product.  The management and support staff are highly professional and forward thinking.  We wanted to give our customers some direction on which of Solar top to consider.”  

The Solar Drive top fits a wide range of vehicles. The hardware to install the top uses top quality stainless steel fasteners and the solar panels are surrounded by an attractive extruded aluminum frame with a Scandinavian flare.  Solar Drive’s home office is located in Denmark.

The Solar Drive top converts solar energy from two one hundred watt PV modules through a proprietary Maximum Power Point Tracking charge controller to maximize the amps and volts to the battery pack.  

“The use of the latest state of the art solar panels along with a superior management system is what differentiates the Solar Drive system from the others.” says Erik Andersen, General Manager of Global Sales for Solar Drive.  “This free power from the sun can extend the vehicles range five to ten miles per day, depending on a variety of conditions.  By keeping the batteries constantly charged, the rate and level of discharge is improved, which over time will improve the battery life,” adds Andersen.

To learn more about the Solar Drive system or to locate a Solar Drive distributor near you , go to www.solardrive.com .  To find our more about the full line of Evergreen Electric Vehicles go to www.evergreenev.com

Company News Briefs

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Cub Cadet Sponsors Design Contest – Outdoor Power equipment maker Cub Cadet is sponsoring the Cub Cadet Future Vision Design Contest.  The contest is open to anyone with a vision for futuristic lawn mowers, tractors or utility vehicles.  Learn more:  Designcrave.com

Yamaha’s Kevin Norcross Gets Expanded Duties – Yamaha Golf-Car Company has put Kevin Norcross in charge of their National Direct Sales team.  The new duties will be in addition to his current work as Marketing Department Manager.  Learn more:  Worldgolf.com

Ladybug Resource Acquires Mag International – Ladybug Resource, a company that acquires and licenses technologies, patents, patents-pending and trade secrets in the energy, health and intellectual property sectors, has acquired controlling interest in Mag International, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of gasoline and electric mini-utility vehicles.  Learn more:  Tradingmarkets.com

ZAP and Remy Electric Motors Partner – Remy Electric Motors will be the new electric motor suppler for ZAP.  The companies will also work together on developing a drivetrain for other ZAP automotive platforms and for vehicles related to ZAP’s joint venture in China.  Learn more:  Indianapressreeleases.com

Company News Briefs

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Carrus BV buys golf cars and parts – Carrus BV of the Netherlands signed an agreement with a European supplier to purchase 3,300 used golf cars as well as thousands of parts and accessories.  Carrus is a brand-independent supplier of top brand cars, parts and accessories, and serves various European markets, including the leisure sector, golf courses and industry.  Learn more:  Golfcarnews.com

ZAP truck & van qualify for tax credit – ZAP recently announced that their electric truck and van have qualified for a ten percent federal tax credit, up to a maximum of $2,500, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Vehicles purchased through 2011 will be eligible for the tax credit.  Learn more:  Autorevolution.com

Kawasaki announces new consumer credit program – This month, Kawasaki, in partnership with GE Money, is rolling out a new consumer credit program for purchasing Kawasaki’s motorcycles, ATVs, utility vehicles and watercrafts.  Learn more:  Marketwatch.com

RMD Technologies selects seat supplier for electric vehicles – RMD Technologies of San Marcos, CA has chosen PRP Seats of Murrieta, CA to provide seats for their small electric vehicles.  RMDT’s core business is providing electronics recycling services to businesses, state and federal agencies.  However in 2007 they decided to branch out into developing an  alternative energy vehicle using a large percentage of materials recycled from electronic waste.  Their electric utility vehicle is expected to hit the market at the end of 2010 or beginning of 2011. Learn more:  Cleanenergynews.blogspot.com

CARB Increases Rebate For Zero Emission Agricultural UTVs

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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently increased the rebates for zero emission utility vehicles used for agricultural operations from 15% to 25% of MSRP.  CARB funds the Zero-Emission Agricultural Utility Terrain Vehicle (Agricultural UTV) Rebate Program which is administered statewide by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).  Vehicles that are eligible for the rebates include electric powered models from Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, John Deere, Polaris and ZAP.  According to the program’s website, rebates are given on a first come, first serve basis.  A total of $990,000 has been allocated for the program of which only about $20,000 for 12 vehicles has been distributed to date.  Learn more:  Valleyair.org

Zap Acquires 51% Stake In China’s Jonway Auto

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EV manufacturer Zap recently announced an agreement to purchase a 51% stake in Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd for $29 million.  The deal gives Zap an entry into the fast growing electric vehicle market in China and access to high volume production capacity.  According to Zap,

The ZAP Jonway merger accelerates cost-effective manufacturing of ZAP’s electric vehicles and gives ZAP access to the Chinese market through Jonway’s distribution channels of more than 80 factory direct dealerships that feed into hundreds of factory authorized dealers. Jonway’s volume manufacturing capacity gives ZAP a strong manufacturing base with the means of commercializing its innovative EV technologies.

Zap will be able to purchase the remaining 49% of the Jonway by march, 2011 at  the same evaluation.  Jonway had revenues of $40 million in 2009 and $20 million in the first quarter of 2010 alone.

Jonway Automobile, with approximately 800 employees, is currently manufacturing approximately 1,000 vehicles per month and has a capacity to produce up to 30,000 vehicles per year at its modern, 3.6 million square foot plant in Sanmen on approximately 141 acres of land. Focused on quality, Jonway is ISO 9000 and China Compulsory Certification (CCC) certified. Jonway distributes through a nationwide network of auto dealerships in China and distribution partners in Europe and Egypt. Jonway’s 3-door SUV has been CE approved in Italy by its European partner for the European market.

Learn more: Zapworld.com


California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Starts Today

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Funded by the California Air resources Board, the rebate project provides $4.1 million to promote the use and production of zero emission vehicles.  Individuals or business owners of eligible vehicles purchased or leased after March 15, 2010 can receive up to $5,000 per light-duty vehicle until the funding runs out. Certain zero-emission commercial vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $20,000.  The list of specific eligible vehicles has not been released yet but categorically the list will include “…cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, neighborhood electric vehicles”.  A related California alternative fuels program had provided funding for NEVs from GEM, ZENN, Miles EV and ZAP in the range of $1,000 to $1,500 per vehicle. – Marc Cesare

Learn more:  Avoid-global-warming.com

ZAP Lands Order For Electric SUVs

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Zap to make electric SUVs for Korean market

Zap to make electric SUVs for Korean market

Zap announced last week that they received an order from Samyang Optics Co. Ltd. for 100 electric SUVs. the vehicles wil be manufactured in partnership with China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Ltd. The electric SUV, to be based on Jonway’s A380 5-door SUV, will have a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 100 mph. The target market in Korea is fleet vehicles for intra-campus transportation for large government, military, corporate and university campuses. according to ZAP the vehicles will be assembled in China at ZAP Hangzhou, a joint venture recently formed with Holley Group, a global supplier of electric power meters based in Hangzhou, and Better World International Limited, funded by Cathaya Funds. The contract is reflective of a strong push in the electric vehicle market by the Korean government. – Marc Cesare Learn more: Zapglobal.wordpress.com

Company News

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Global Motor Services – This newcomer to the electric vehicle market is using former Bears coach Mike Ditka to promote their products.  Their current line-up includes a converted Chevy Aveo and a three-wheeled scooter.  They expect to add an LSV in the future and currently have dealers in San Diego, New Jersey, Las Vegas and Chicago.  Learn more:  Autobloggreen

Zap – Zap has shipped a Zaptruck XL equipped with a solar panel to a large government agency.  The solar panel supplements normal charging and provides some extra range. Learn more:  Zjucnc.org

Also the company has been awarded “…an engineering prototype contract for the design and development of an electric mail truck.”  This project is for converting a US Postal Service gas vehicle to electric propulsion.  Learn more:  Autobloggreen

Cruise Car – Adam Sulimirski has been promoted to the position of General Manager from Global Sales Director.  Learn more:  Madduxpress.com

Electric Truck Developments

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ZeroTruck Corp. – The company’s ZeroTruck, an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis, was recently added to the GSA schedule for government purchasing. The ZeroTruck features a low cab-forward design, a fully automated transmission, a range u to 100 miles and is fully highway capable. The vehicle is available at Central Truck Center of Landover, Maryland and through select Isuzu dealerships in California, Colorado, North Carolina, and New York. Learn more: Your-story.org Comment: While in theory a vehicle like this could offer competition to utility vehicles that are displacing pickup trucks in certain market segments, at a cost of over $100,000 this is not likely to happen anytime soon. – Marc Cesare

Electric Motor Cars – The company has just introduced a two-seat electric pickup which is based on the Dacia Logan. Dacia is a subsidiary of Renault and the trucks are built in Romania. The company reports the vehicles may be assembled in Florida or Iowa in the future. The pick up sells for $33,950 and van and station wagon versions will also be available. The vehicles are powered by nickel sodium chloride, “ZEBRA” batteries, which will charge in 3 hours on 220 volts or up to 8 hours when powered by 110 volts. The company claims a range of 260 miles and reports that around 100 vehicles will be available in about one month. Currently three dealers distribute the vehicles. Learn more: Trucktrend.com

Zap – According to this post Zap is rolling out a larger electric truck for industrial and fleet use. Learn more: Hybridfriends.com

India Electric Truck Market -Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Reva Electric Car Company are planning to launch electric trucks and passenger carriers in the sub-one-tonne segment. Tata Motors has developed an electric version of the Ace which could debut soon. M&M, likewise, is working on a variant for the recently launched 0.9-tonne Maxximo.  The sub-tonne segment in India numbers 100,000 vehicles annually.  The companies are targeting applications for large shopping mall and residential complexes, airports and  intra-city transport.  While there is no mention of  exporting the vehicles to other markets , previously Tata and GEM announced they were working on an electric version of the ACE for the US.

Learn more:  Thehindubusinessline.com

Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules On Electric Vehicle Tax Credit

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Oklahoma’s Supreme Court recently ruled that the Garfield County District Court, which had ruled in favor of LSV dealers and customers in October, did not have jurisdiction in the case and vacated that court’s order.  For dealers and customers this means that the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s previous letter rulings on qualified vehicles now apply again.  Some vehicles purchased with the understanding that they would be eligible for the state tax credit are no longer considered eligible.

It appears that the bulk of the rulings by the commission are not in favor of the manufacturers.  For example, the Badboy Buggie XT LSV, the Stealth Patriot LSV, the Fairplay EVE, Fairplay Goat, American Custom Golfcars Hummers H3, American Custom Golfcars Escalade, American Custom Golfcars Roadster Limo and Titan UTV Hunting Buggy do not qualify.  Per the commission they do not qualify because…

The term ‘qualified electric motor vehicle property’ shall not apply to vehicles known as ‘golf carts,’ ‘go-carts’ and other motor vehicles which are manufactured principally for use off the streets and highways.

Some of the vehicles that do qualify include:

  • Most but not all Bigman models
  • Club Car Carryall 2 & 6 LSVs
  • Columbia ParCar Mega Truck models and Summit models with enclosures
  • All the GEM models
  • A few of the Star models
  • Wheego Whip

The complete set of ruling letters for twenty-three manufacturers can be found here.  Learn more:  EdmondSun.com

Comment: When I first spoke with the Oklahoma Tax Commission after their initial ruling they  talked about trying to clarify the law and that revenue concerns were not the issue.  When they appealed the district court’s ruling they noted that the tax credit could cost the state upwards of $40 million. In my opinion they are trying to avoid losing revenue from tax credits. It would be interesting to see, in detail, how they are deciding which vehicles qualify and which ones don’t. – Marc Cesare