Th!nk to sell 500 EVs to Dutch leasing company, if they get cash to build
Click above for a gallery of the Th!nk City in Detroit
Th!nk may be struggling financially but that doesn't mean they aren't trying. After announcing last week its intention to set up U.S. manufacturing next year, the Norwegian company has just inked a deal to sell 500 units of its City EV. The cars will be purchased this year by Dutch leasing company Mobility Service Netherlands. Mobility Service Netherlands has a subsidiary ElmoNet that will only lease EVs based on a new Dutch incentive program. A similar recent deal will see another 100 cars go to a group of Austrian companies. The problem now is that Th!nk still needs more cash to turn the lights back on in the factory. It is seeking more funding from investors to bring back the employees and buy parts after shutting the factory down late last year. Thanks to Luca for the tip!
Gallery: Think City in Detroit
[Source: Green Wombat]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jharlan 1:07PM (3/19/2009)
Here they come!. You HFCV guys have any comment?
Reply
Chris M 1:45PM (3/19/2009)
Oh, I suppose they will, eventually, but the plug-in revolution is giving the H2 FC fans a bit of anxiety. After all, plug-in deliveries are starting but H2 FC sales are at least a decade away. By the time the H2 FC vehicles are "ready for sale", plug-ins will predominate, charging stations will be everywhere, plug-ins will still be cheaper, and plug-ins will still be more efficient and less expensive to operate. In other words, H2 FC cars will be rendered obsolete before they arrive.
harlanx6 4:19PM (3/19/2009)
That's the way one would have to see it Chris. We'll have advanced ICE hybrid and alternative fuel hybrids transitionally, then EVs will take over. There is some promise of compressed air vehicles for urban use also. It's a race for third place between HCEVs, alternative fuels with carbon capture exhaust, and cold fusion. These all promise to be expensive technologies to come to market. My guess is carbon capture is easier and cheaper than the other 2. If any breakthroughs in cold fusion come to pass, HFCVs could end up DFL. ( It's a sailing term meaning last place)
Termin8r 3:06PM (3/19/2009)
Dayum, my goal of running an electric car is getting closer. Pity I don't want to lease it, I want to own it outright. Ah well, a little more patience...
Reply
Richard 5:26PM (3/19/2009)
Its only the batteries you lease. Think of it as an insurance rather than leasing. The car you buy