AARP Releases Study On LSVs/Golf Cars

The AARP Public Policy Institute recently released a research study on LSV and golf car usage.  The purpose of the study is “...to assess current trends and identify key issues and best practices for safely accommodating golf carts and low-speed vehicles (LSVs), particularly neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), within community transportation networks.”  The Institute hopes the study will provide some guidance for municipal planners and law enforcement officials trying to integrate the vehicles into their local transportation networks.  The study includes four case studies of LSV and golf car usage in The Villages, Florida, Peachtree City, Georgia, Western Riverside County, California and Linton, Indiana.  Learn more:  AARP.org

NEV Demonstration Project: Preliminary Report

Last month the South Bay Cities Council of Governments released a preliminary report about their NEV demonstration project.  The report was published after only 12 months of data because of “extraordinary positive results.”

The demonstration project focused on assessing the viability of NEVs on typical suburban streets in today’s development pattern.  A total of 15 households were involved  and 7 vehicles including a Vantage Crewcab,  a Columbia Summit, two Wheego Whips, a GEM e4, a GEM e2 and a Miles sedan.  The project addressed three questions:

1. Will residents regularly drive NEV/LUVs on typical suburban streets without special lanes or signage?

2. Will NEV/LUV usage produce significant environmental and economic benefits?

3. Is large-scale deployment of NEV/LUVs feasible?

The answers to the first two were a resounding ‘Yes’ and a conditional ‘Yes’ for the deployment question.  Data from the project showed that “…the average percentage of all household travel (VMT) taken in an NEV/LUV was consistently 22% across all groups. In terms of vehicle trips, the NEV/LUVs mode share averaged 26% of the round trips.“

In terms of environmental impacts “…Average participating households criteria air pollutants were reduced by 26% – 33% depending on the specific pollutant being measured.“

To facilitate deployment a number of barriers need to be lessened including vehicle price, vehicle quality, consumer education and local government incentives.  The authors also suggested a medium speed vehicle class would help the transition away from gas autos.  The project will run a total of 18 months until October 31, 2011.  Learn more:  Southbaycities.org

Worldwide Forecast For NEVs

Worldwide NEV Market Forecast

Pike Research predicts that the number of NEVs on the road worldwide will grow from 479,000 in 2011 to 695,000 by 2017.  This represents a 45% increase in total over the trend period and a compounded annual growth rate of 6.6%.  North America will remain the largest NEV market with the Asia Pacific region the second largest.  During that period, annual NEV sales will rise from 37,000 vehicles to nearly 55,000 units by 2017 with the North American market accounting for 45% of sales or approximately 25,000 units in 2017. Fleet sales are predicted to remain the leading market for NEVs. The report had to take into account some of the different definitions or lack thereof for neighborhood electric vehicles across regions and countries.  Learn more:  Greencarcongress.com

EV Infrastructure News

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

NEVs Slow To Gain Traction In Korea

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

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

Dealer News

Arnell Auto Group A New GEM Dealer - Arnell Auto Group in Burns Harbor, IN recently became the only dealer for Global Electric Motorcars in Indiana.  The GEM line includes six vehicle models that operate on a chargeable 72-volt battery and can seat between two and six passengers.  David Arnell is the president of the Arnell Auto Group, which sells new and used vehicles, also sells Chevrolet, Chevrolet Commercial, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram brands. Learn more:  NWItimes.com

North Shore Auto Group Provides Solar Charged Vehicles – North Shore Auto Group of Highland Park, IL has partnered with The Solar Electric Vehicle Company (SEVC) to provide solar-charged Cruise Car NEVs. The vehicles travel up to 60 miles on a single charge using a solar panel system that provides constant supplemental charging throughout the day.  The line-up of vehicles includes 4 and 6 passenger NEVs and multi-passenger shuttles, security and utility NEVs as well as solar-canopied golf carts.  Learn more:  EVworld.com

5 Star Mini Trucks To Market Chinese Brand - 5 Star Mini Trucks of Yukon, OK recently announced an exclusive contract with Shandong Liangzi Power Co. Ltd. of China to market their trucks and set up dealerships around the U.S.  The vehicles are street legal in Oklahoma except on highways and can travel 40 miles on a gallon of gasoline. Owner Rick Opitz said “...the partnership could also lead to an Oklahoma assembly plant or parts warehouse for the mini trucks.“  Learn more:  OKNews.com

Sedona, AZ May Replace Trolleys With NEVs

A Citizen Review Committee in Sedona, AZ recently presented a plan to the city council to replace the existing trolley system with a fleet of NEVs. Faced with high operating costs and declining ridership the city is looking for ways to improve the transit system. The NEV proposal includes the purchase of eight to ten NEVs that would travel the same routes as the current trolley system, and also offer door-to-door service along the route. The city spent over a million dollars on trolleys for the system while the fleet of NEVs is expected to cost less than $200,000. While many residents and officials are optimistic about the proposal, there is a range of issues besides the capital costs that the city council is concerned about regarding the implementation and operations of an NEV fleet. The proposal will continue to be discussed in the coming months. Learn more: Sedona.biz

Seoul Announces NEV Inititatives

Seoul, Korea announced plans to purchase 35 NEVs for fire departments and city parks this year, including using the vehicles to shuttle world leaders around for the G-20 summit.  Other initiatives to support NEV use includes:

• Installation of public recharging stations which users can pay for with their public transportation cards
• Tax benefits
• Designation of Zero Emission Zones where the vehicles can be used

Learn more:  Koreatimes.co.kr

California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project Starts Today

Funded by the California Air resources Board, the rebate project provides $4.1 million to promote the use and production of zero emission vehicles.  Individuals or business owners of eligible vehicles purchased or leased after March 15, 2010 can receive up to $5,000 per light-duty vehicle until the funding runs out. Certain zero-emission commercial vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $20,000.  The list of specific eligible vehicles has not been released yet but categorically the list will include “…cars, trucks, commercial medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, motorcycles, neighborhood electric vehicles”.  A related California alternative fuels program had provided funding for NEVs from GEM, ZENN, Miles EV and ZAP in the range of $1,000 to $1,500 per vehicle. – Marc Cesare

Learn more:  Avoid-global-warming.com