EV-Fleet Begins Selling Electric Truck

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The Condor electric truck from EV-Fleet

The Condor electric truck from EV-Fleet

EV-Fleet of North Carolina has started selling a pick-up sized electric truck, called the Condor which features a robust 5 speed transmission, a carrying capacity of 1000 lbs, and multiple configurations for the rear cargo area. The vehicle has a range of more than 100 miles when equipped with a 50 kWh battery and can be recharged in under an hour when using a 90 amp DC charger. The programmable powertrain has a top speed of 85 mph. The Condor’s MSRP is $49,995. Learn more:  EV-Fleet.com

Comment:  The Condor is more of a full-sized highway speed vehicle but I thought it was worth a mention since it could appeal to certain segments of the STOV market such as universities and parks. There has been a trend in this market to replace gas-powered pickup trucks with STOVs, often electric but sometimes gas. The trend is being driven by both green and sustainability initiatives as well as cost-savings and work efficiency. An electric truck such as this might provide some competition to STOVs in certain circumstances. There is obviously a green element to the truck but it would have trouble matching STOV performance for off-road use as well as access to tight spaces. On the other hand, a sprawling campus or one with satellite locations might be a good fit for this vehicle by cutting down on travel time. The other issue of course is price, at almost $50,000 multiple STOV vehicles and even highway capable pick-up trucks could be purchased instead of one Condor.

Kandi Technologies Delivers First NEVs For Shanghai’s Car-Share Program

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Kandi Technologies NEV

Kandi Technologies NEV

Last month Kandi Technologies announced the delivery of 208 neighborhood electric vehicles for the launch of the Shanghai Jinshan“Car-Share” Program. The program’s manager plans to have 3,000 to 5,000 vehicles in service by the end of 2014. The first car-share program was launched last year in Hangzou.

The car-share stations which provide a variety of services, such as charging, maintenance, battery recycling, are located at airports, train stations, hotels, business centers, selected residential areas and other places that are typically congested. A network system provides EV rental service to individual drivers in and around the city. It also provides EV maintenance and battery charging to self-service users. Lastly, a tracking system allows the Car-Share Program management to keep a close watch at the status and precise location of each vehicle.

The company expects to roll-out the program to many more cities in the next few years.

In China the vehicles for this program are sometimes referred to as neighborhood electric vehicles, they are similar but not the same as NEVs in the US. While they are small and lack some of the features of a fully functional highway capable vehicle like NEVs in the US, these vehicles from Kandi Technologies have a reported top speed of 80 km/hr compared to 40 km/hr. Learn more:  Kandivehicle.com

Work Utility Vehicle Reviews From The UK

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Workman HDX-D 4WD from Toro on a test drive.

Workman HDX-D 4WD from Toro on a test drive.

Horticulture Week based in the UK test drove a Toro Workman MDE and HDX-D 4WD utility vehicles as well as a Brutus HD PTO from Polaris. They were operating in the vehicles in a golf course and park grounds type setting. In general they liked how all the vehicles performed. Here are some highlights from their review.

Toro Workman MDE (electric powertrain)

Likes

  • “nippy and grippy”
  • Low noise
  • Regenerative braking
  • Comfortable and ergonomic layout for driver
  • Performed well on hills
  • Comfortable ride and good handling

Dislikes

  • Play in the accelerator pedal
  • Steel diamond-plate floorboards slippery when wet

Toro Workman HDX-D 4WD (Diesel)

Likes

  • Easy to read gauges
  • 4WD on hills
  • Low engine noise
  • Good turning circle for a long vehicle
  • “But it’s a smooth ride. The steering is light, gear changes smooth and the seats comfortable. It’s a very stable vehicle.”
  • Third gear lockout for novice users cuts out engine
  • 1,229kg cargo bed capacity

Dislikes/Other

  • Looks like an airport baggage-handling vehicle

Polaris Brutus HD PTO

Likes

  • Easy to drive
  • Functionality of the PTO and attachments especially the angled broom
  • Ease of switching attachments
  • Ergonomic seats and controls
  • Smooth ride and light steering

Dislikes/Other

  • Noisy going up hill
  • Some limits to suspension
  • Niche vehicle for those who need attachment specific functionality – sweeping, pallet moving, snow removal and sanding/de-icing

Learn more:  Hortweek.com

China Low Speed Electric Vehicle Market Booming According To Report

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A Chinese low-speed vehicle.

A Chinese low-speed vehicle.

A research report recently published by ResearchInChina estimates that 302,000 low speed electric vehicles were produced in China last year, an increase of 46.6% from the year before. The market has grown rapidly since 2009 and is marked by manufacturers and intense competition. From the report:

At present, domestic LSEV producers concentrate their production bases mainly in Shandong Province, whose LSEV output rose from 16,300 in 2009 to 175,000 in 2013 at a CAGR of 81.0%. Key players there are Shifeng Group, Shandong Baoya New Energy Vehicle Co. Ltd., Shandong Tangjun Ouling Automobile Manufacture Co., Ltd., and so on. At the same time, spurred by the robust downstream demand for LSEV, Chery and BYD have also ventured into this field.

Learn more:  Reportstack.com

Comment:  As we have noted previously, the LSVs in China and LSV compliant vehicles in the US are two different animals. Relatively speaking, the Chinese LSV market is largely unregulated so the quality and safety features of the LSVs are not the same. On the other hand a dynamic LSV market has arisen with a host of manufacturers and component suppliers. China is a very large market so even a niche market like LSVs can result in sizable market demand. The relatively inexpensive LSV option is appealing to those consumers who have some money but can’t afford a highway speed vehicle or don’t need that level of features and functionality. The Chinese government is also encouraging the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles.

GEM Adds Gas & LSV Utility Vehicles to Their Product Lineup

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The new 2015 Polaris M1400, a gas powered utility vehicle being sold by GEM dealers.

The new 2015 Polaris M1400, a gas powered utility vehicle being sold by GEM dealers.

GEM adds an LSV version of the electric eM1400 for 2015.

GEM adds an LSV version of the electric eM1400 for 2015.

The GEM brand of transport and light utility vehicle, owned by Polaris Industries,  recently expanded their product lineup to include a gas powered M1400 and a street legal version of the electric eM1400, the eM 1400 LSV. The eM1400 was introduced last year. The press release follows below with more details. The base MSRP for the M1400 is $7,999 and for the eM1400 LSV is $10,999, which is $1,000 more than the eM1400.

What’s interesting from a marketing perspective is that the gas-powered M1400 is carrying the Polaris brand but is available from GEM dealers and is included on the GEM website. While GEM has always been associated with electric powered vehicles, the distribution network and brand have a strong presence in commercial and institutional venues such as colleges, universities, municipalities and parks where customers are purchasing gas and diesel powered STOVs as well. GEM’s established distribution network and experienced commercial/institutional oriented sales force is an important asset. Polaris is trying to leverage this strength to sell more non-electric commercial vehicles but, at least for now, maintain a distinction between the electric GEM brand and non-electric vehicles. This expansion will also broaden the competition between Polaris and the golf car manufacturers that are already selling both electric and gas vehicles into these markets. Historically Polaris has attacked markets by segmenting them and creating models for specific sub-segments. It is likely that they will continue to add more gas-powered vehicles as well as electrics to be sold under the GEM umbrella.

GEM® Extends Offerings for Dealers with New Gas and LSV Models

Gas-powered Polaris® M1400™, electric eM™1400 LSV now available through nationwide dealer network

 MEDINA, Minn. (Aug. 21, 2014) – Polaris® Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) has expanded its GEM® line product offering of transport and light utility vehicles to include the new Polaris® M1400™ gas-powered commercial side-by-side utility vehicle and the GEM eM™1400 LSV street-legal electric utility vehicle.

 As the first gas-powered utility vehicle available for purchase through authorized GEM dealers, the Polaris M1400 is a 4×2 vehicle designed specifically for light-duty commercial utility applications. The vehicle is equipped to handle the demands of a jobsite with 1,400 pounds of payload, a cargo box capacity of 1,100 pounds and the ability to tow up to 1,500 pounds.

 “Our number one priority at GEM is to help customers find the right solution for their unique needs,” GEM General Manager Tim Blinkhorn said. “It is very common for accounts to require a fleet with a mix of electric and gas-powered vehicles. By adding a Polaris engineered gas utility vehicle to our line with an extensive range of accessories, GEM dealers are ready to provide the best tool – electric or gas – for the job.”

 The M1400 features a Polaris ProStar 31-horsepower engine with electronic fuel injection and reaches a top speed of 26 mph, which can be limited with the optional Polaris Speed Key. Independent rear suspension and front IFS MacPherson Strut ensures the safe and efficient transport of people and cargo even when hauling at maximum capacity.

 On the electric front, the GEM eM1400 LSV has all the features of the eM1400 introduced last fall, and is also LSV compliant with a horn, headlights/taillights, turn signals, an automotive-grade windshield, a windshield wiper and three-point safety belts.

 Like all of GEM’s street-legal models, the eM1400 LSV reaches a top speed of 25 mph, produces zero emissions, can be driven indoors or outdoors and on most city streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.  

 Available options and accessories make it easy for customers to configure the Polaris M1400 and GEM eM1400 for their specific jobsite application and unique needs. Factory installed options include removable bed sides and a fully enclosed max box. Additionally, both utility vehicles support Polaris’ innovative Lock & Ride® and Lock & Work™ accessories.

 The Polaris M1400 and GEM eM1400 come with a two-year limited warranty and can be ordered through more than 250 authorized GEM dealers in North America. To set up a test ride, or for more information on the complete Polaris GEM lineup, visit GEMcar.com.

Polaris Industries Inc.         Media Contact: Megan Langenkamp
2100 Highway 55              Phone: 414-292-0246
Medina, MN 55340-9770  mlangenkamp@n-s.com

 

String Of UTV Thefts At Minnesota John Deere Dealership Group

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The type of Gator UTV being stolen from SEMA Equipment dealerships.

The type of Gator UTV being stolen from SEMA Equipment dealerships.

SEMA Equipment, a John Deere dealership group, has reported the theft of eight Gator utility vehicles across three locations in 2014. Despite locking and chaining the vehicles, thieves are coming equipped to steal the vehicles valued around $15,000 each. Learn more:  Kare11.com

Comment:  This story highlights what seems to be a growing trend of UTV thefts. With the increasing popularity of work and recreational UTVs it should not be surprising that thefts appear to be on the increase. We have no hard numbers but from tracking news stories across the US, thefts of these vehicles appear to be on the rise. While many stories point to a crime of opportunity and sometimes joyriders, these thefts point to a more purposeful and planned thefts. If it becomes a bigger issue, manufacturers may respond with more robust anti-theft technology for these vehicles.

ePower Trucks Sells First Ligier Flex L3 Low Speed Electric Truck In UK

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Flex L3 All Electric Truck

Flex L3 All Electric Truck

Earlier this year ePower Trucks became distributor for French manufactured Ligier Flex L3 all electric trucks and they have now announced that Newcastle University’s EAT@NEWCASTLE catering service has purchased the first such vehicle. The Flex L3 is a street legal low speed electric vehicle with a top speed of 25 mph, range of 35 miles and payload capacity of 400 kg. The truck costs approximately 22,500 USD.

The catering service will use the vehicle to deliver hot and cold food and beverages to various venues on campus. For their purposes the Flex L3 has a box body but the vehicle can also be configured with a flat bed, cage or tipper. The electric drive train is powered by a lead-acid gel battery pack which can be recharged in 8 to 10 hours. Learn more:  EVworld.com

John Deere Offers Two New Special Edition Gators

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John Deere recently announced two new special edition Gators, the Midnight Black XUV825i and Midnight Black RSX850i. Appealing to customers who are looking for additional styling, the UTVs feature a matte black paint scheme with gray decals.

Key features of the  XUV825i Midnight Black Special Edition include:

  • Matte black paint scheme with charcoal gray decals
  • Sport steering wheel
  • Power steering
  • High performance exhaust
  • Long-range light kit
  • Poly half doors
  • Matte black alloy rims and Maxxis® 2.0 Bighorn tires
  • Deluxe cargo box with spray-on liner
  • Optional power and front protection package with power lift, a heavy-duty front brushguard and fender guard, as well as floor mats

Key features of the RSX850i Midnight Black Special Edition include:

  • Matte black paint scheme with charcoal gray decals
  • Black and silver alloy rims with Maxxis® 2.0 Bighorn tires
  • Trail-sport package with a special edition door closeout panel with Gator image, PreRunner bumper, and a Warn® 3,500 lb. winch
  • Full underbody aluminum skid plate
  • Mounted HELLA® HID Sport lights
  • FOX® 2.0 Performance Series shocks
  • 2-inch front receiver hitch
  • Side nerf bars
  • Cargo box rails.

The MSRP for both special edition UTVs is $15,999. Both vehicles are currently available in limited quantities at John Deere dealerships. Learn more:  Deere.com

Comment:  With MSRPs $3,000 more than their respective base models, these special edition Gators are at an entirely different price point. They are designed to appeal to the real Gator enthusiast who is looking to make a personal statement with their vehicle. It is also a way for John Deere to tap into the popularity of different paint and graphic schemes that have become more prevalent in the UTV market, especially at higher price points. While the iconic green and yellow John Deere paint scheme is an important part of the brand image, the company needs to be able to break away from that standard paint scheme to remain competitive and take advantage of consumer demand for different paint/graphics schemes. Rolling out special edition vehicles is one way to address this demand.

GEM Now Offers Solar Panel Option

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GEM now offers a solar panel option for their models.

GEM’s new solar panel option for their models.

As part of their 2015 product line launch, GEM recently rolled out a solar panel option to supplement vehicle charging. GEM is offering two solar panel models, the Ra Power Pro 220 and Ra Power Pro 410 which provide 220 to 410 watts of energy daily to the vehicle’s battery system. The panels are manufactured by SolarDrive US and include their Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller that has been specifically designed and programmed to work with GEM’s 72 volt battery set systems.

The panels can be factory installed when ordering 2015 GEM models:   e4, e4S, e6®, e6®S, eL and eL XD. They can also be retrofitted by dealers for 2005 and newer models.  Learn more:  Polaris.com

Comment:  The solar panel option could be particularly popular in the College/University and Parks market segment and with other commercial buyers that have green or sustainable initiatives. For dealers this option could be a nice little add to their revenue. The installed base of older GEM models at these institutions offer an opportunity for retrofitting whole fleets.

Polaris Announces New 2015 Side-by-Sides

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New 2015 Ranger 570 Full-Size

New 2015 Ranger 570 Full-Size

New 2015 Ranger ETX

New 2015 Ranger ETX

New 2015Ranger RZR XP 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition

New 2015Ranger RZR XP 1000 EPS High Lifter Edition

New 2015RZR XP 1000 EPS Desert Edition

New 2015RZR XP 1000 EPS Desert Edition

Polaris announced their 2015 off-road vehicle lineup including the new RZR 900, RZR S 900, Full Size and Two-Passenger RANGER 570, as well as the Sportsman ACE 570.

Changes to the RZR product line include:

  • A 50 in. RZR 900 with a 75 hp ProStar engine and dual a-arm rear suspension
  • A 60 in. RZR S 900 with a 75 hp ProStar engine and dual a-arm rear suspension
  • Special edition RZR XP 1000’s for specific off-road terrain:  the RZR XP 1000 High Lifter Edition for mud and RZR XP 1000 Desert Edition for sand.
  • The Desert Edition also features the new Polaris Digital Interactive Display, a full-color, 4.3 in LCD display with Bluetooth™ capabilities.
  • Polaris Digital Interactive Display will be available on RZR 900 XC Edition and the RANGER XP 900 EPS Vogue Silver Deluxe.
  • Previously announced RZR XP 1000 and RZR XP 4 1000 with a higher output 110 horsepower engine and and new direct flow intake covers, new belt and a new clutch cover with more ducting providing two times more airflow directly to the clutches.

Changes to the Ranger product line include:

  • An upgraded 68 horsepower Ranger XP 900.
  • A new Ranger 570 Full-Size with a 44 hp ProStar 570 engine.
  • A Ranger Diesel, with a 3-cylinder, Tier 4 compliant KOHLER® diesel engine.
  • A new entry level Ranger ETX with 31 hp and electronic fuel injection.
  • Upgraded features on the Ranger 570, Ranger EV, Ranger ETX and Ranger Crew 900 include Lock & Ride™ PRO-FIT™ cab accessory integration, increased horsepower by 10 percent to 44 horsepower, and 20 percent more towing capacity, increased fuel range, more storage, and an improved bench seat for added comfort on the Ranger 570. All updates will also be integrated to the four-passenger Ranger Crew 900.
  • Three deluxe edition Ranger XP 900 EPS for specific uses including: the Ranger XP 900 EPS Vogue Silver Deluxe Edition for the trail, Ranger XP 900 EPS Hunter Deluxe Edition for hunting, and Ranger XP 900 EPS NorthStar Deluxe Edition for cold weather and work.

Polaris also added to their new Sportsman Ace product line with the Sportsman Ace 570 which uses a ProStar 570 engine with 45 hp.

Comment:  Polaris keeps on rolling out new vehicles and upgrades faster than any other manufacturer in the market. They saturate a market segment with specific price points and feature combinations to target specific sub-segments. While some OEMs may have one or two vehicles in a particular segment, Polaris will have numerous models and keep adding to the lineup if they see potential in dissecting the market segment even further. This also makes it difficult to compete against them since you either put out models with a more general feature set that must compete against a range of vehicles with feature sets more tailored to certain end-use applications or you have to limit your focus to a particular sub-segment and compete on a model to model basis. In recent years they have also leveraged their own engine development efforts as they recognized the importance of horsepower and other engine characteristics as critical selling points in the side-by-side market. On that note, I noticed they now display horsepower information for each model directly on the home pages of their 2015 Range and Sportsman product lineups.