South Korean electric vehicle manufacturer CT&T has signed an agreement with the Ficosa Group of Spain to supply 10,000 NEVs.?? No other information was provided regarding when deliveries will start, production rates or the value of the deal.?? – Marc Cesare
UK based Smith Electric Vehicles has named ElecTruckCity as the exclusive distributor in France of the Smith Newton and Smith Edison electric vehicles.?? The latter is an all electric version of the Ford Transit van.?? ElecTruckCity plans on building out a network of 17 distributors across France including most of the major cities.?? The market for these vehicles will get a boost from the French government which provides subsidies of 5,000 Euros for van-like vehicles and 20,000 Euros for Newton sized trucks.?? – Marc Cesare Learn more:?? Fleetdirector.co.uk
HumanCar NEV uses human generated power to help charge the batteries
The HumanCar Imagine PS NEV uses power generated by the passengers or driver to recharge the vehicle’s batteries. The vehicle uses a rowing mechanism to generate power and can seat four. The battery can also be charged via a standard electrical outlet.
Because steering using the rowing handles would be too difficult to control the vehicle is steered by “Body Steering” (read leaning into turns). According to Chuck Greenwood, HumanCar Inc. CEO and son of Charles Greenwood [the inventor], this is apparently much more intuitive (not to mention more fun) than using a conventional steering wheel.
The company claims to have orders for 200 of the vehicles which currently cost $75,000 to produce. Management expects to start full commercial production when 800 orders are received, at which point the vehicles will sell for $15,500. – Marc Cesare
Gill Industries of Trenton, GA recently started up a new production line that is manufacturing the chassis for Club Car’s XRT950 utility vehicles.?? At a maximum capacity of 30 chassis a day the company could produce an estimated 7,500 chassis a year.?? The steel chassis are robotically welded and weigh 200 lbs.
The XRT950 series is targeting agricultural and recreational trail-riding market segments.?? The vehicle features a twin-cylinder 14-horsepower engine, independent suspension, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, locking rear differential and nine inches of ground clearance. Learn more:?? Haoodnla.com
A recent story chronicles the struggles of a number of electric vehicle dealerships in the San Francisco area.?? Some have closed their doors, others report low sales and some are changing their focus to the commercial market and/or their product mix.?? The latter includes switching to off-road electric vehicles and electric bikes or scooters.
The factors causing a downturn for these dealerships, which primarily sell LSVs, include lower gas prices, a poor economy in which these vehicles as a second car become a luxury, and the inability to drive the vehicles on highways.?? Learn more:?? Contracostatimes.com
Comment: It is not clear that this trend is a national one or local, given the level of highway use in California.?? In 2009 LSV sales were robust as a whole because of generous federal tax credits.?? I think in areas that have a history of widespread use of these vehicles as well as golf cars, electric vehicle dealerships should have a better chance of success.?? Unfortunately for many of these dealerships, they opened not too long before the economic downturn. As the economy rebounds and electric vehicles that can attain highway speeds come to market, it will be interesting to see if these type of dealerships start to increase again. – Marc Cesare
I recently came across a story about United Commercial Upholstery of Nicollet, MN which provides seats for the marine and golf car/LSV markets.?? While the company struggled at first, it has recently gained traction with their own Suite Seat brand of seats.?? This higher end seat is sold as part of Fairplay’s deluxe LSV package.?? Fairplay’s management liked the quality of the seats and the fact that they are US made. ?? The company also supplies seats to Star Car and at the end of last year began talks with one of the world’s largest golf car manufacturers.?? According to the story 40 percent of the company???s sales originate with OEMs and the rest with Suite Seats which is sold to dealers and OEMs.?? Learn more:?? Connectbiz.com -Marc Cesare
E-Z-GO recently announced that its
...consumer-direct e-commerce site, shopezgo.com, will sponsor Kevin Harvick???s No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Atlanta 200 race on March 6, 2010 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Shopezgo.com also will be a secondary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado owned by Kevin Harvick Inc. and driven by NASCAR veteran Ron Hornaday throughout the 2010 Truck Series season. Hornaday is the defending Truck Series champion and is the series??? only four-time champion.
ShopEZGO.com is the company’s official online source for E-Z-GO Genuine Parts and Accessories. Learn more: Catchfence.com
E-Z-GO will also be sponsoring the event itself which will be called the??E-Z-GO 200 and held?? on Saturday, March 6.?? The race is part of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.?? E-Z-GO is using the sponsorship to to extend consumer awareness of their line of personal-utility vehicles.?? Learn more:?? Ca.sys-con.com
Apparently concerned about losing revenue as plug-in electric vehicles replace gas and diesel powered vehicles, the state of Washington is considering having an annual $100 registration fee for electric vehicles. The policy is also an attempt to make sure that all drivers pay for their fair share of maintaining the roads. As the author of the story points out, NEVs will most likely be affected by the bill in the short term, but being lighter than full-speed vehicles, have less impacts on the roads. Learn more: Allcarselectric.com
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
Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:
Nebraska – A recently introduced bill would permit the use of mini-trucks on all Nebraska roads except interstate highways, controlled-access highways and expressways. The bill also provides definitions for UTVs and mini-trucks. The story notes that mini-trucks would be used not only in rural areas but by lawn service providers in urban areas as well.
Indiana – The Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill which would allow the use of mini-trucks on local roads and state roads if properly titled and registered by the BMV. Mini-truck dealers must also register as a dealer in Indiana. The bill effectively creates a separate classification for mini-trucks which currently fall under the off-road vehicle category which includes UTVs, ATVs and golf cars.
Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Assembly Ag Committee unanimously passed the so-called ???Gator Bill??? which would allow light utility vehicles to be operated on roadways for agriculture use. The bill is expected to come to a vote shortly.
Mower County, MN – In the last week of December, the Mower County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance to license and allow mini-trucks on county roads. Under the new ordinance, the mini-trucks are allowed on township and county roads, but cities in the county need to pass separate ordinances.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL – A citizen group is proposing that the speed limit for an 18.5 mile stretch of county road 30A be lowered from 45 mph to 35 mph to accommodate the use of LSVs. There is some opposition to the change.
Wisconsin – A bill working its way through the Senate would give municipalities greater ability to permit neighborhood electric vehicles (???NEV???) on roads that connect to highways or cross state highways without obtaining state DOT approval.
Alaska – The Alaska State Legislature today passed a bill that allows expanded access for LSVs on certain roads in Alaska. The bill will allow low-speed electric vehicles on roads with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less. Current Alaska law only allows these vehicles to operate on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less.
Fresno, CA – The legislative process has been started to allow the city of Fresno to seek permission from the state to develop a neighborhood electric vehicle plan. The plan would clear the way for special lanes, signs and other upgrades required to allow the mini-cars on more city streets.
Utah – Utah lawmakers will consider a bill that would allow low-speed vehicles go without a speedometer, odometer and braking for each wheel. According to the story Utah and Louisiana are the only states that require speedometers, odometers and brakes on all four wheels.
South Carolina – A House Subcommittee agreed Wednesday to allow a driver to operate a golf cart up to 5 miles from their home or business as opposed to the current 2 mile limit. The bill moved forward despite opposition from the State Public Safety Director but still has several hurdles to overcome before becoming law.
Dunedin, FL – City officials are looking into allowing golf carts on downtown roadways, in part to pro-actively address future parking problems.