California Energy Commission Awards Funding For Alternative Vehicle Tech

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The California Energy Commission recently approved over $12.5 million for nine projects related to alternative vehicle technology.?? Projects related to the STOV market included:

Nearly $1 million to Santa Cruz-based Zero Motorcycles to develop a motor and integrated controller specifically for use in electric vehicles such as motorcycles, neighborhood electric vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles with a target production price of less than $450 each.
$1.1 million to Coulomb Technologies to develop their Charge Point Communication Processor, designed to be installed into existing electric chargers and into new chargers manufactured by other companies. The result will be a complete smart charger network capable of remotely controlling the charging and discharging of batteries and shifting charging loads away from peak hours.

Many of the grants are matched by the participating companies and in some cases local governments provide additional funding or loans as well.

Learn more:?? Energy.ca.gov

Vehicle OEM News

Posted on October 16, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Kubota Introduces Two UTVs in Australia – Kubota Tractor Australia recently introduced the diesel powered RTV1140 and the gas?? powered RTV500.?? The RV1140 features four-wheel drive and a 28.5 hp engine along with 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, hydrostatic power steering and hydraulic bed lift as standard.?? The smaller RTV500 features electronic fuel injection, a 200 kg payload and can easily be transported to work areas.?? Learn more:?? Fatcow.com.au

AVID Vehicles e-Warrior

AVID Vehicles of the UK Launches Electric UTV – AVID Vehicles based in Cramlington, UK recently launched their e-Warrior electric utility vehicle.?? The vehicle features dual DC motors, a range of 40 miles, a top speed of 25 to 30mph?? and a 250kg payload.?? MSRP is US$15,600.?? The company plans to produce 500 vehicles in 2011 and 1,000 in 2012.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress Journallive.co.uk

LSV Maker Wheego Unveils Full-speed EV – Wheego Electric Cars, manufacturer of the Wheego Whip LSV, will unveil the two-seat subcompact Wheego LiFe at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.?? The car has a 100 mile range, 20 kWh Li-ion battery pack and a MSRP of $32,995.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress.com

Sandia National Labs Wins Award for Solar Powered GEM

Posted on October 16, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Sandia National Laboratories has won a 2010 GreenGov Presidential award for modifying a GEM LSV to operate on solar power.?? The awards honor federal agencies and employees who work to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, meet a number of energy, water and waste reduction targets and leverage federal purchasing power to promote environmentally responsible products and techniques.

PV-powered GEM carts would reduce the number of needed charging stations, resulting in fewer repairs and decreased maintenance costs. Converting to solar powered carts also translates to significant environmental savings. Because no power is purchased for the PV-powered cart, no coal is burned, and no carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere to power them.

According to management Sandia will be expanding the program by modifying five Club Car LSVs. Learn more:?? Photonicsonline.com

Madison, WI To Expand Charging Infrastructure

Posted on October 15, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Madison Gas & Electric Co. and Coulomb Technologies announced plans to expand Madison’s current number of EV charging stations from 3 to 24.?? Originally, plans called for six charging stations, but now an additional eighteen are planned.?? The stations are part of a demonstration project to understand study charging patterns and their impact on the power grid. MG&E is looking for owners of plug-in electric hybrids and neighborhood electric vehicles to volunteer for the project.?? All charging locations will be free and available to the public.

The project is funded by a portion of a $5.5 million smart grid investment grant from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.?? The charging stations will be two-tiered charging stations that feature both a standard and a faster charging option.?? The stations can charge two vehicles at a time and will be located in high traffic areas.?? Learn more:?? Carbondayautomotive.com

Sam’s Club Feature Stealth UTV/LSV

Posted on October 12, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Tom Colangelo, a local LSV dealer in Florida’s The Villages (a master planned community), has teamed up with Stealth Corporation and Sam’s Club to offer Stealth’s electric powered utility vehicles at several Florida Sam’s Clubs.?? The vehicles are also part of the store’s auto buying program which can be accessed online.?? The Stealths meet LSV requirements so residents of The Villages can use them within the community and venture out onto public roads.

Comment: The combination off-road UTV/LSV is a recent trend, and as the story notes, provides a more versatile alternative to golf cars in these communities.?? These combination vehicles will likely start taking increasing market share from golf cars within the master planned community market segment.?? While golf cars have traditionally had a cost advantage, as more municipalities open up public roads to LSVs, versatility will start trumping price differences.?? Learn more:?? PRLog.org

Cruise Car Launches All American Line

Posted on October 7, 2010 by Marc Cesare

This week Cruise Car of Sarasota, FL introduced their new All American line of 15 solar electric LSVs.?? The vehicles are produced in the US and feature up to 50% recycled or certified re-manufactured parts and materials.?? The All American Line is GSA Schedule approved and Cruise Car recently shipped 30 All American LSV???s to the U.S. Navy base in San Diego, CA.?? The LSVs, built on an aluminum chassis, can be purchased with or without solar and can accommodate from 2 to 14 passengers. The vehicles are also eligible for solar tax credits.?? Learn more:?? PRweb.com

Company News Briefs

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Marc Cesare

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

NEV Demonstration Project Begins In LA County

Posted on October 2, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The Local Use Vehicle Project to demonstrate the efficacy of NEVs recently began in Los Angeles County.?? The eighteen month project features six NEVs ??? two GEMs, two Wheego Whips, a Columbia Summit and a Vantage NEV ??? will be used in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.?? Drivers chosen for the project will use a vehicle for six months, keep a journal about their experience and take a user survey at the end.?? The project is being supported by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Learn more:?? Hybridmile.com

Marines Continuing Research On Robotic UTV For Troop Support

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Marc Cesare

The US Marines are continuing efforts to develop a cargo-carrying robotic “mule” meant to accompany ground troops on foot patrols and into combat.?? While other branches of the military have had difficulty keeping costs down, the Marines are trying to use off-the-shelf hardware to be more cost efficient.

Known as the Ground Unmanned Support Surrogate (GUSS) mule, it is being jointly designed by the Marines’ Warfighting Lab, Virginia-based tech firm TORC Technologies and students at Virginia Tech.?? Vehicle prototypes are based on a stock MZ700 6×6 utility vehicle from Polaris.?? In July four prototypes reportedly performed well in early stage testing using “realistic training events”.?? Learn more:?? Flightglobal.com

EV Infrastructure News

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Marc Cesare

Eaton & Murphy Oil USA start EV charging demonstration project. Eaton will provide their DC Quick Chargers and Murphy Oil USA brings over 1,000 gas stations in 22 states to the project.?? An initial test deployment will begin in Tennessee before the partners decide how to expand distribution.?? Learn more:?? Greencarcongress.com

Santa Cruz, CA to add more charging stations. The Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Alliance recently secured more funding for installing more charging stations around the county.?? While existing stations initially targeted NEVs, the new stations will??also??offer enough voltage for charging highway electric cars.?? Learn more:?? Kionrightnow.com

Small Vehicle Resource Blog

Information on the small, task-oriented vehicle market