Ev Manufacturer Barefoot Motors To Close Doors

Barefoot Motors a manufacturer of electric utility vehicles based in Ashland, OR announced that they will be closing their doors by the end of the year.  According to a statement from CEO Mary Gresens,

Due to a critical interruption in our supply chain which has resulted in a review of our business model, Barefoot Motors LLC will no longer produce and offer the present products. The facility in Ashland is being ramped down and will be closed by the end of the year.

Learn more:  Barefootmotors.com

This is the second company this year in the STOV market that has closed their doors.  Earlier in the summer BG Automotive Group which had plans to build an LSV and then full-size electric vehicles also closed.  Learn more:  Green.autoblog.com

CARB Increases Rebate For Zero Emission Agricultural UTVs

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently increased the rebates for zero emission utility vehicles used for agricultural operations from 15% to 25% of MSRP.  CARB funds the Zero-Emission Agricultural Utility Terrain Vehicle (Agricultural UTV) Rebate Program which is administered statewide by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).  Vehicles that are eligible for the rebates include electric powered models from Bad Boy Enterprises, Barefoot Motors, John Deere, Polaris and ZAP.  According to the program’s website, rebates are given on a first come, first serve basis.  A total of $990,000 has been allocated for the program of which only about $20,000 for 12 vehicles has been distributed to date.  Learn more:  Valleyair.org

What’s Cooking On The STOV

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

Specialized Agriculture Applications – Oregon based manufacturer Barefoot Motors is selling electric utility vehicles for use in orchards.

Karen Lewis with Washington State University Extension in Ephrata, Wash., said many orchard owners are shifting to a two-dimensional and three-dimensional row setup, enabling human or robotic hands to access the fruit by any type of technology. They are looking for smaller, electric utility vehicles to harvest or apply pesticides, she said.

The electric UTVs are also well suited for the frequent stop and start nature of the work. Learn more: Capitalpress.com

Advertising Based Transportation Service – A pair of Florida State University graduates have launched Green Operated Transit Carrying Humanity Around, or GOTCHA, a free, environmentally friendly transportation service. The company has a fleet of five GEMs to service the FSU campus and plan for similar fleets for the University of Florida and the University of Georgia. The company generates revenue by placing advertisers logos on the vehicles. Learn more: Tallahassee.com

New GEMs for the Hoboken Parking Utillity

City Parking Department Application – Hoboken, NJ has taken delivery of two GEMs for use by the Hoboken Parking Utility. The vehicles will be used to put up signs, place bags over meters and install and remove boots. They replace pickup trucks which frequently needed maintenance. and their compact size are a good fit for the city’s tight streets. Learn more: NJ.com/hobokennow

Mobile Marketing Campaign – L’Oreal Paris is using two GEM vehicles as part of a mobile marketing campaign that will visit ten college campuses this spring. The promotion will…

…provide students with a range of brand engagements creating a motivating product trial platform while generating buzz. Utilizing a branded Airstream trailer and two battery-operated GEM cars, (Global Electric Motorcars) trained product specialists will invite students to use mobile face washing stations featuring Go 360 Clean, enjoy two-minute upper back massages and a professional makeup application.

L'Oreal Paris GEM promo vehicle

Learn more: Drugstorenews.com

Oregon Governor Supports Electric Vehicle Manufacturers

Oregon’s Governor Ted Kulongoski is using a $100,000 grant from his Strategic Reserve Fund to support Brammo, Inc., a manufacturer of electric motorcycles.

The company plans to invest $51 million over the next five years to produce its all-electric motorcycle called the Enertia. That includes an $18 million headquarters and production facility in Ashland.

The governor also paid a visit to Barefoot Motors a manufacturer of electric off-road utility vehicles.  The company relocated from California last fall and started production in June at a rate of 10 vehicles per month.  Learn more:  Bizjournal.com

Rough Terrain UTVs: Is Electric Power Making Inroads?

Electric ATVs to hit the market – Potentially an indicator of electric power making further inroads into rough terrain utility vehicles, a number of electric ATVs are expected to hit the market in the near future. Barefoot Motors is coming out with their Model One and All Electric Vehicles Unlimited signed an agreement to distribute three electric ATV models under the brand GEO in North and South America. They are manufactured in Italy.