What’s Cooking On The STOV

Highlighting some of the many applications for small, task-oriented vehicles

Border Patrol: A sheriff’s office in Maine recently used a Department of Homeland Security grant to purchase a Yamaha Rhino to patrol the border with Canada. The vehicle is used to monitor remote border entrances for illegal drug trafficking and other activity and replaces the use of ATVs. The latter required officers to travel in pairs for safety reasons since the vehicles were not as stable. The grant is part of Homeland Security’s Stonegarden Operation which is sending $60 million to local law enforcement in border states to supplement federal border protection efforts. The funds are for both equipment and payroll. Learn more: Morningsentinel.mainetoday.com

NEV Tourist Rentals: An Austin, TX entrepreneur has recently launched E-Cars of Austin to provide NEVs around the city for tourists to rent. The rental fleet currently consists of six GEMs that will be placed in various downtown locations and will be available to rent for $30 for one hour or $50 for two hours. The plan is to eventually have two vehicles at each of 10 downtown hotels. Learn more: AustinBusinessJournal

Meter Reading: Silver City, NM has purchased two LSV utility trucks from Miles Electric Vehicles for use by the town’s meter readers.  The meter readers travel around 24,000 miles each year.  Town officials expect to save on maintenance and operating costs over the years compared to the current vehicles being used.  Learn more:  Silver City Sun News

ZENN Reports Sharp Drop In Vehicle Sales

In the third quarter ending June 30, 2009 ZENN Motor Co. reported selling just 19 vehicles compared to 67 for Q3 2008.  This is slightly more than the previous quarter when only 16 vehicles were sold compared to 54 the prior year.  In the first half of 2009 ZENN has now sold a total of 35 vehicles compared to 121 in the first half of 2008.  This a decrease in unit sales of 86 or 71% from the prior year.  The management points to the decline in the overall economy as well as lower fuel prices as key factors in the decline.  Learn more:  Reuters.com

Polaris Ranger HD Named “Best of the Best” by Field & Stream

The Polaris Ranger HD utility vehicle has been named “Best of the Best” by Field and Stream. Previously the outdoor publication had named the same vehicle one of the “Best Off-Road rides of 2009″. Key features of the vehicle include a self-leveling suspension, that helps maintain high ground clearance under heavy loads, and variable assist power steering. Learn more: www.motorcycle-usa.com

Long Drive Solar Looking To Supply LSVs To Atlanta Area Developments

Long Drive Solar a marketer of solar-powered LSVs from Cruise Cars is in talks with the Jacoby Group to provide the vehicles for two of Jacoby’s real estate development projects.  One project is the Atlantic Station in midtown Atlanta and the other is the Aerotropolis Atlanta near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  The deal would involve potentially hundreds of vehicle according to the companies.  The Jacoby Group is considering offering vehicles as an incentive for those purchasing condos in the developments.  Long Drive Solar’s management also stated that they are “…in negotiations to supply about 3,000 solar LSVs to a nonprofit in Oklahoma.”  Learn more:  Atlanta Business Chronicle

Wheego Electric Cars Raises An Additional $1.2 Million

Wheego Electric Cars, maker of the Wheego Whip, recently announced that the company had raised an additional $1.2 million from existing investors.  The Whip is expected to be available next month as a low speed vehicle or medium speed vehicle.  Next year, after crash testing is completed, the company hopes to sell the Whip as a full speed vehicle.  Management expects to sell 1,000 of the LSV/MSV version in the first year as they build up their dealership network to 50 dealers.  The vehicle has an MSRP of $18,500 but is also eligible for federal tax credits.  Learn more:  Atlanta Business Chronicle

Comment: Selling 1,000 of these vehicles in the first year appears to be ambitious given the economy and currently lower gas prices.  ZENN recently announced a sharp decrease in sales of their LSV which has a similar price point.  In addition, interviews I’ve conducted with electric vehicle dealers for an upcoming study also indicate a poor sales environment. MC

FAA Orders Fleet Of Zap Trucks

FAA Orders Fleet Of Zaptruck XL's

ZAP recently announced that they have been awarded a contract to provide the FAA with a fleet of their Zaptruck XL’s.  An initial order of seven of the olug-in all electric vehicles will be delivered in September.  There was no further information on how large the contract will potentially be. Learn more:  Marketwire.com

SolarMotion Laboratories Partners With Southwest Section PGA

Arizona based SolarMotion Laboratories has become a Technology Sponsor  of the Southwest Section PGA.  The company makes solar powered golf car roofs that are compatible with golf cars from the three leading manufacturers, E-Z-Go, Club Car and Yamaha.  SolarMotion plans to launch their product in the next two months and the solar roofs will come with a four year warrantee.  According to management, the company has partnered with Standard Renewable Energy and Kyocera Solar. Learn more:  Russellchrist.wordpress.com

Golf Car Use In Small Towns Increasing?

A recent story from Courtland, Kansas highlights the use of golf cars in small towns.  While not legal until the Kansas legislature passed a law earlier this year allowing for local ordinances, local law enforcement often looked the other way as the vehicles proved popular and practical.  Gas prices and  a clear set of rules have helped increase their usage.  The state law also covers utility vehicles and mini-trucks.  This story may be indicative of increasing usage in other states and municipalities that have passed similar ordinances in the past few years.  Learn more:  Salina.com

Ariens Adds New Utility Vehicle To Gravely Line

Ariens Co. recently announced the Gravely Treker utility vehicle as the newest addition to the Gravely product line of landscape machinery.  The vehicle will be sold through the Gravely Turf distribution network.

Operated with a Honda 2-cylinder, 20 hp, OHV engine, the Treker is designed to transport up to three passengers and 900 lbs. in its 15.9-cu.-ft. dumping cargo bed, for a total payload capacity of 1,300 lbs. The unit also offers 9.5-in. ground clearance.

For more details and features:  Athleticturf.net

Modec & Navistar Forming A Joint Venture

Modec and Navistar recently announced that they will soon finalize a joint venture that will produce class 2c-3 commercial trucks.  The trucks will have the Navistar brand and will be assembled in Indiana.  Navistar recently won a $39.2 million grant from the US government’s Recovery Act funds targeting battery technology and electric vehicles.  The grant will be used by the joint venture to develop 400 electric commercial trucks in 2010 with a range of 100 miles.  In the following years the JV is expected to produce thousands of vehicles annually.  Modec currently sells electric trucks to companies such as Fedex, UPS and supermarket chains.  Learn more:  Autogreenmag.com