Bad Boy Buggies Recall LSVs For Acceleration Problem

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Bad Boy Enterprises recently announced they were recalling 370 of their 2009-2010 Classic LSVs because of an acceleration problem.?? According to reports “…water getting onto the accelerator can cause a voltage surge that will cause the vehicle to accelerate without the pedal being pressed.”?? The company has also told the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) that based on what they have seen in these LSVs a fix to an acceleration problem for a previous recall involving 3,900 vehicles will not solve?? the problem in those vehicles.?? The company is investigating what additional steps may be needed regarded those vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

IIHS LSV Crash Testing Attracts Attention

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A couple of weeks ago I posted a story about IIHS crash testing of LSVs and their?? belief that the vehicles shouldn’t be used on public roads.?? Since then I’ve noticed that IIHS has been very successful in getting their of point view out in traditional media and blogs.???? Weeks later and the story is still being picked up various media outlets.?? It is too early to tell if the extensive coverage of these crash tests will lead to any restrictions on the use of LSVs on public roads.

However, I believe the course of events highlights an issue in the LSV industry.?? There is no “voice of the industry” that can forcefully and effectively articulate a point of view about issues that matter to the industry.?? In part, this is because of the relatively small size and young age of the industry.?? In addition, for many manufacturers LSVs are a relatively new and small addition to other established lines of business that produce the bulk of their profits.?? That being said, LSV manufacturers should start thinking about establishing a manufacturers association or similar body to promote LSVs and respond to industry threats.?? Instead of having the focus be crash tests, the industry needs to be in the public forum advocating greater integration of LSVs into the overall transportation system that could create a safer environment for all concerned. – Marc Cesare

Mahindra & Mahindra Buys Majority Stake In Reva

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Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), India’s leading producer of SUVs, recently purchased a 55% stake in electric vehicle producer Reva.?? Maini Group will have a 31% and AEV LLC of California, the joint venture partner, will have 11% stake.?? The deal included a $10 million cash infusion for Reva, which has produced 3,500 electric vehicles to date. According to reports, 400 vehicles were sold last year mainly in Britain, Germany and Spain.

M&M expects the Indian market for electric vehicles to grow substantially and by 2020 expect to be producing 50,000 electric vehicles annually.?? Some of the new funds for Reva will be used to increase their current production capacity from 6,000 to 30,000 vehicles per year.?? A consequence of this deal is that Reva???s work with GM to develop the electric mini Spark has been called off.?? Learn more:?? Vamban.com

NEVs Slow To Gain Traction In Korea

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Despite a growing number of local governments designating roads for NEV use, the vehicles have not attracted many buyers.?? After Korea passed favorable NEV regulations at the national level earlier this year, 30% of the local government have reported designating local roads for NEV use.?? this figure is expected to increase rapidly in the coming months.?? However, manufacturers point to a lack of electric vehicle subsidies and recharging infrastructure as reasons for the lack of NEVs purchases to date and a likely persistent obstacle to market growth moving forward.?? Learn more:?? Koreaherald.com

TrikE: Another Low Speed Transportation Option

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TrikE Commuter Vehicle

TrikE - A new option for the urban commuter

The TrikE is an electric?? power assisted bicycle designed to provide urban commuters with a transportation option that takes advantage of the increasing miles of bike lanes.?? Developed by Speed Studio Design, the TrikE features weather protection, light cargo storage and a 36v lithium battery pack which drives a 750W motor.?? The TrikE has a top speed of 20 mph and is classified as a bicycle.?? The vehicle is positioned, in part, as a more affordable transportation option than NEVs.?? Learn more:?? Design-daily.com

Grounds Management turning To Utility Vehicles

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A brief story on Facilitiesnet.com describes the grounds management trend of replacing pickup trucks with utility vehicles, particularly electric powered vehicles.?? Among the benefits:?? reduced fuel costs, quiet operation, improved access to confined work areas, reduced environmental impact, performance on par with gas vehicles and reduced vehicle maintenance.?? Learn more:?? Facilitiesnet.com

Delta Q Technologies Raises $17 Million

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Growth capital firm Tandem Expansion has invested in $17 million in fellow Canadian firm Delta Q Technologies.?? Delta-Q makes power conversion and power management systems for electric vehicles.?? Key end markets include golf cars, aerial work platforms, industrial floor-cleaning machines, and low-speed neighborhood vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Xconomy.com

CT&T Adds Georgia To List Of Potential Plant Sites

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Korea-based LSV manufacturer CT&T has added Georgia to the list of states that could potentially host a vehicle assembly plant.?? In the past year the company has also named Hawaii, South Carolina and Pennsylvania as potential locations.?? The company expects to select a site by the end of the year and start production in 2011.?? Learn more:?? Bizjournals.com/atlanta/

Insurance Institute Wants To Restrict LSVs

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) wants to restrict the use of LSVs on public roads over concerns about crash safety, or have the government review current LSV safety standards.?? Based on results from recent crash tests, the IIHS believes the mixing of LSVs with larger , full-functioning vehicles is a recipe for more serious injuries and deaths in vehicle accidents.

IIHS GEM Crash Test

IIHS crash test simulating a GEM being hit by an SUV

The institute recently conducted a number of crash tests including a GEM e2 simulating a side impact with a SUV traveling at 31 mph, a GEM e2 being impacted by a Smart Fortwo and similar tests with a Changan Tiger Star mini-truck.?? The institutes’s position is that crashworthy enough to be on the road with larger, faster vehicles.?? At the same time, the group cannot point to evidence of?? “…large numbers of people being hurt or dying in such crashes.”???? Learn more:?? Wheels.blogs.nytimes.com

Another article on the issue provided some responses from LSV manufacturers.

Chrysler Group responds, “GEM vehicles offer customers an inexpensive, clean solution for low-speed environments and comply with (the NHTSA’s) standards for low-speed vehicles, which limit the maximum speed of the vehicle to 25 mph.”

“It’s a grave generalization to say that all LSVs are simply souped-up golf carts,” says Mike McQuary, CEO of Atlanta-based Wheego Electric Cars, which manufactures the Whip LSV. “The Wheego Whip … is a full-functioning, steel unibody automobile that certainly nobody would ever mistake for a golf cart.”

Learn more:?? USAToday.com

Eco Trans Alliance & Cruise Car Partnership Targets Low Speed Applications

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Eco Trans Alliance (ETA) and Cruise Car announced a corporate partnership that will be targeting low speed settings such as colleges, resorts, military bases, federal and local governments, residential communities, golf courses, and corporate campuses. ETA will provide solar-electric vehicle and battery technology including SunRay Solar Top Conversion Kits and Eco Ports solar-electric charging stations for Cruise Car electric vehicles. According to management the conversion kits extend vehicle range by 5-10 miles per day of driving while reducing electricity costs and the carbon footprint. Learn more: PRnewswire.com