Last month Oklahoma’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of Tomberlin LSV owners, stating that their vehicles did qualify for the state’s EV tax credits. ??The state will now have to pay out on 753 Tomberlin related tax credits. ??The legal maneuverings took two years. ??Learn more: ??Hybridcars.com
A research paper recently published by two Columbia University doctoral students examined the perception of vehicle range requirements in relation to actual driving habits. ??What they discovered is that while consumers are looking for a 272 mile range to consider purchasing an electric vehicle, driving habits suggest this is overkill by a wide margin. ??In line with previous figures on driving habits, actual trips are much shorter with 10% under a mile, 95% under 30 miles and 99% under 70 miles. ??These obviously fall well under the 272 mile range and show that current highway capable EVs could be used for most trips and even more with strategically placed charging stations. ??Even LSVs would be capable of handling a sizable portion of the trips. ??In addition the research showed that 64% of households with vehicles, owned two vehicles. ??This represents a sizable market for EVs or even LSVs as secondary vehicles.
Comment:?? I believe this is one reason the Volt is such an interesting vehicle. ??Not so much that it relieves the range anxiety but that owners, through their own driving experience, will discover how few trips they take will actually require more than the fully charged batteries. ??Anecdotally you hear of LSV owners using their highway capable vehicles even less than originally planned. ??Learn more: ??Treehugger.com
Poland based Melex has chosen Trojan Battery as their supplier for deep-cycle batteries for all their electric powered passenger and utility vehicles. ??Trojan’s Hydrolink watering system will also be used. ??Trojan’s??T-105, T-125 and T-145 deep-cycle flooded batteries will be installed at the factory and be available for aftermarket purchases as well. ??Learn more: ??Golfcourseindustry.com
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute recently announced a new ANSI standard for??Multipurpose Off-Highway Utility Vehicles (MOHUVs). ??The standard covers??off-highway vehicles that operate between 25 to 50 miles per hour and are utilized for multi-purpose applications. ??Previously there were only standards for work UTVs with 25 mph top speeds and recreational UTVs operating at speeds over 30 mph. ??A range of stakeholders??participated??in the development of the standards. ??Learn more: ??Dieselprogress.com
Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (PMMC), a Taiwan-based electric scooter manufacturer has developed products for the mini city car and minitruck markets. ??According to management they expect to ship 5,000 of the their “Achensa” branded all electric vehicles. ??Northern European markets such as the??Netherland, France, Germany, and the U.K. are the first export markets being targeted. ??Small production runs are expected later this month or in June. ??Learn more: ??CENS.com
Teryx Tire Mount – Kawasaki recently made available a spare tire mount for their??2008-2012 Kawasaki Teryx 750 4x4models. ??The tubular steel mount bolts onto the back portion of the rollover cage. ??Learn more: ??UTVGuide.net
Whitewter River Green Parkway – Interested groups continue to push for the Whitewater River Greenway near Palm Springs which would feature space for LSVs. ??There is hope that the $80 million project will attract $53 million in air quality funds distributed by the??South Coast Air Quality Management District. ??Learn more: ??Mydesert.com
UTV Maintenance Best Practices – A brief article on some basic maintenance practices for UTVs. ??Government-fleet.com
Ransomes Jacobsen has signed an agreement with Axiam Mega to become the sole importer into the UK of the Mega Professional line of eco-friendly utility trucks. ??The product line includes??the Mega e-Worker electric truck and Multitruck 600 low emission diesel truck. ??Ransomes will continue distributing to the current network of Mega dealers in the UK and expects to expand distribution as well. ??Both company’s management see synergies between the Mega product line and the golf cars and utility vehicles sold under the E-Z-GO and Cushman brands. ??Learn more: ??Pitchcare.com
Based on conversations with dealers, an analyst expects Arctic Cat to report strong earnings next week. ??The main driver is sales of the Wildcat side-by-side vehicle. ??The company’s off-road vehicle sales are expected to increase 36% compared to the previous year’s quarter and 46% for the full year 2012. ??Learn more: ??Powersportsbusiness.com
Arctic Cat recently introduced three new accessories for their Wildcat utility vehicle: ??a flip-up windshield, a soft-cab kit and an aluminum light bar. ??The windshield retails for $399.95 and is??constructed of scratch and abrasion-resistant polycarbonate. ??The soft cab kit retails for??$649.95 retail and includes the roof, back panel and doors, each constructed from durable 9-oz., heavy series Surlast fabric. ??The light bar retails for??$229.95 and provides secured mounting for overhead lighting atop the front cab bar. ??Lighting??must be purchased separately. ??Learn more: ??Powersportsbusiness.com
Kawasaki in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling approximately 2,ooo Teryx side-by-side vehicles because they are “…incorrectly labeled as having a higher occupant capacity than is safe.” ??The vehicles were sold between August 2011 and March 2012 and include the??Teryx 750 FI 4×4, Teryx 750 FI 4×4 LE, Teryx 750 FI 750 4×4 LE SGE and Teryx 750 FI 4×4 Sport models. ??Consumers will be mailed a replacement glove compartment with a correct label. They can install it themselves or a Kawasaki dealer will install it for free. ??Learn more: ??CPSC.gov