Washington State Considers Electric Vehicle Fee

The Washington State Senate has passed a bill that will charge electric vehicle owners a $100 fee to compensate for lost gas taxes.  The bill reportedly does not apply to LSVs.  The revenues would be used to fund road repair and related services.  The bill still has to pass the House. Learn more:  Plugincars.com

Kandi Technologies Receives Large EV Order For Italy

Kandi Technologies has received a purchase order from Share corporation of Italy for 1,000 electric vehicles.  Share was founded in 2010 to reinforce and develop new industrial and commercial activities, including the marketing of electric cars with zero emissions.  This EV order fits into the plans of the Rome city government to introduce more EVs into the city to reduce pollution and protect ancient sites.  Kandi’s management expects the Italian market to serve as a launching point for further expansion into Europe.  Learn more:  Coalgeology.com

Nissan Planning A Small Urban Vehicle

Nissan New Mobility Concept

Nissan recently announced that they are planning on introducing three additional electric vehicles besides the Leaf in the next three years.  One will be a small urban vehicle, referred to as the New Mobility Concept.  It is not known at this time what the performance parameters of the vehicle will be.  While the New Mobility Concept looks very much like a low speed vehicle, Nissan could design the vehicle to have a higher top speed than currently allowed for LSVs.  According to Nissan the vehicle could be the ideal last mile transportation solution for commuters connecting to public transit or for residents of planned communities.

Nissan’s entry into the LSV market would be an important event in the market since major auto manufacturers have not been active in the market, except for Chrysler which has operated under the GEM not Chrysler brand.  Earlier forays into the previously labeled NEV  market by the majors was essentially only to meet California ZEV mandates.  Nissan’s move appears to be part of a strategic plan to develop a robust electric vehicle product line.  Their market entry could also create more demand for NHTSA to develop a medium speed vehicle classification.  Learn more:  Reviews.cnet.com

New Polaris Offerings For 2011

Between family vacation and the launch of our latest STOV study It’s been a few weeks since my last post so there have been some developments in the market to catch up on.  I’ll start with the introduction by Polaris of their 2011 product line.  Despite a down economy they have been able take market share and be aggressive in the product development with new vehicles targeting specific market segments and improvements to existing models.  New vehicles include the RANGER 500 EFI, RANGER CREW 500 and RANGER Diesel. The latter targets the agriculture segment where diesel is the preferred fuel.

Enhancements to current product offerings include increased power to RANGER XP 800 and RANGER XP 800 EPS, and power steering on the Polaris Pursuit Camo RANGER CREW 800. All 2011 RANGER products, with the exception of RANGER EV, will be outfitted with easy-buckle driver and passenger safety nets.

The RANGER RZR line will have even more razor sharp performance with a new look that increases cooling airflow by 29 percent, provides a 30 percent improvement in range and delivers increased performance as a result. The RANGER RZR 800 will receive six percent more power with the addition of the 800 H.O. engine and be more trail-friendly with new rear rack extenders.  RANGER RZR S 800 will feature new big bore shocks, be the first stock vehicle to feature ITP 900 XCT tires and will be available in two premium painted editions along with a standard edition, which will receive a new lower price. For razor sharp performance for four, Polaris will offer the RANGER RZR 4 800in two Robby Gordon packages, a painted black and red limited edition and a power steering version that includes Robby Gordon-inspired graphics.

The company also launched the civilian version of their EV LSV which originally targeted the government market and added new parts and accessories for vehicles across the product line.  Learn more:  Motorsportsnewswire.wordpress.com

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• Polaris to Realign Manufacturing Operations (eon.businesswire.com)

Garia Launches LSV

Luxury golf car manufacturer Garia has launched an LSV version of their Garia Golf Car.

The Garia features a Formula 1 inspired front suspension, a drive train built by an Italian company that also produces Ducati gearboxes, and aluminum profiles made by the same company that supplies aluminum profiles to Aston Martin, Jaguar and Volvo. Available in August 2010, The Garia LSV is fitted with street legal safety equipment such as seatbelts and side mirrors, and it also has a hydraulic brake system.

Learn more:  Garia.com

Bulgaria Produced Electric Light Truck

The ETK 021 electric light truck from Di-Ven Ltd of Bulgaria

Di-Ven Ltd. , a manufacturer of electric and LPG forklifts based in Bulgaria, unveiled their first electric truck in May.  The ETK 021 is targeting delivery and service applications in urban environments and has a 1 ton payload capacity.  The vehicle operates on AGM batteries and has a range of 50 km.  Lean more:  Novinite.com

GEM Receives AFVI Award

The Alternative fuel Vehicle Institute presented GEM with their 2010 EV-angelism Award at the group’s national conference and expo.

AFVI honored GEM for its history and leadership in the low-speed, Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) market, noting the company’s commitment to manufacturing environmentally-friendly vehicles and its long service, which has helped build credibility for the NEV industry as a whole.

At the conference GEM also showcased their right hand drive model which is targeting security, parking enforcement and delivery applications. Learn more: PRWeb.com

CT&T Eyes Hawaii For Assembly Plant

CT&T is working with the governor of Hawaii to build an electric vehicle assembly plant.  According to reports, Oahu is the general location mentioned in the memorandum of understanding signed with the governor.  CT&T reports looking at four potential sites in the area for a facility that will produce up to 10,000 low speed vehicles annually.  The company hopes to have the plant operating in two years.

Hawaii is considered favorable market for LSVs by some people for a number of reasons. The government is pro-green and pro electric vehicle, travel distances are short and the large tourist market would be ideal for rental fleets.  Learn more:  Hawaiinewsnow.com

Comment: Hawaii now joins Pennsylvania and North Carolina as potential locations for assembly plants.  To date none of these plans have come to fruition beyond the early planning stages.  The company was talking about Pennsylvania locations back in September 2009.  A plant with the capacity to produce 10,000 vehicles seems very high for the Hawaiian market and shipping them from Hawaii, at first glance, would appear to be an expensive way to supply other markets.  It remains to be seen if plans for any of these potential plant locations moves to the next stage.

New Electric Vehicle Dealerships Open

While last month I noted the closing of some electric vehicle dealerships in the  San Francisco area, this month openings are the story.  In Fresno, Ca a new Tomberlin dealership has opened.  Valelectricar is the official authorized Tomberlin dealer for central California.  The Tomberlin vehicles are eligible for the 10% Federal tax credit.  Learn more:  thebusinessjournal.com

Meanwhile in Charleston, South Carolina Current Electric Vehicles opened.  They will be  offering Korean made CT&T’s e-Zone and c-Zone vehicles.   The dealership currently has a dozen vehicles in stock now and expects to carry up to 60 vehicles in inventory eventually.  They have already received an order for 20 vehicles from a local tourist business and the local police department was presented with a vehicle.  CT&T is looking into opening an assembly plant in nearby Duncan, NC.  Learn more:  Postandcourier.com

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

GEMs At San Diego International Airport

Airport Transport & Utility - As part of celebrating the upcoming Earth Day San Diego International Airport recently highlighted their use of electric powered LSVs and utility vehicles.  Their fleet of fourteen vehicles include 10 GEMs and 4 Taylor-Dunn vehicles in two and four passenger configurations, as well as utility configurations.  The vehicles are part of the airport’s overall “green” strategy.  Officials estimate that the vehicles save them 80% in fuel costs compared to using gas-powered vehicles for the same work.  Learn more:  Examiner.com