Tomberlin releases Anvil NEV [w/VIDEO]
Tomberlin Anvil NEV - Click above for image gallery
Tomberlin, a manufacturing and distribution company based in Georgia, recently unveiled the Anvil, its latest low-speed electric vehicle, on the CBS News Early Show. As a neighborhood electric vehicle, the Anvil is capped at a top speed of 25 miles per hour and is legal on roads in the U.S. with a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Base price for the Anvil will be $16K.
Tomberlin is claiming a 40-mile range from the aptly named 1,797-pound (with six 12-volt batteries installed) Anvil, which reportedly features a powerful 50-horsepower motor, front disc and rear drum brakes and an on-board charger that can plug into any standard wall outlet.
What probably sets the Anvil apart from most other NEVs is its interesting appearance. Looking something like a mashup between a Jeep Wranger, a Hummer H2 and a golf cart, the Anvil doesn't really look like any other low-speed electric vehicle in recent memory – for better or for worse. Click past the break for two short videos of the Tomberlin Anvil in action.
Gallery: Tomberlin Anvil
[Source: Tomberlin, Dealernews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 7:24PM (7/01/2009)
I know there are some things that work for one group of people that will not work for another, but I just can't immagine a NEV ever being practical except in a completely contained environment like a golf course or an industrial facility. Who are these marketed to?
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contact 7:39PM (7/01/2009)
EXACTLY, NEV's are a waste of money and start-up funds. Take these weak NEV manufacturers and put their resources into about the top 5 ACTUAL EV manufacturers and we'd be a lot further along.
Jon 3:25AM (7/02/2009)
I understand rich people like to drive around their estates in vehicles like this. This particular model, however, looks far too expensive for what it is.
wave54 2:26PM (7/02/2009)
I don't understand the vitriol and hatred for NEVs on this blog. The fact that it isn't a suitable vehicle for you (or me) doesn't mean that it shouldn't be built.
In 20 years in the package delivery business, I've been to hundreds of plants, many on huge campuses with multiple buildings, colleges, hospitals, resorts, etc. that are currently using gas-powered vehicles to move people, mail, parts around. The vehicles are always near buildings with a power outlets and don't travel that far or on public roads.
If there are uses for tens of thousands of NEVs in this country, why the big stink over them? It's not like the manufacturers are taking your money that could be used elsewhere.
Matt 4:46PM (7/02/2009)
Wave,
I agree completely that these types of vehicles have a home in industrial settings and other (non-personal) uses, but this particular one and many others on this site seem to be marketed for personal use. If they made this an off road vehicle with 4-wheel drive I think it would have more appeal, but it seems there are a lot of these popping up with no use outside a gated community. I just don't think John Doe can make use of most NEV's, and am perplexed by their supply.
wave54 5:09PM (7/02/2009)
I agree that the look and marketing on this model is strange and out-of-place with its low-speed limitations, yet the concept of NEVs being able to replace many gas vehicles is still valid. I live within 1 mile of 2 large cemeteries, a 12,000-student university and a large public park that all use numerous gas-powered vehicles for patrols and light hauling of branches and grass clippings.
The college security drives Crown Victorias on campus and never exceed 25 mph. Ditto for the cemetery workers who use full-size pickup trucks and even small vehicles that look like GEM open mini-trucks, but they have gas engines!
None of these ever travel more than a mile from a building or use a public road for more than a few hundred feet to get to the next driveway (or Dunkin Donuts). If they can be electric -- why not?
Matt 8:54PM (7/02/2009)
I totally agree. Why are we not seeing marketing efforts on these fronts? Even if it's a bad investment on a cost of ownership basis, we all know universities and the like are the first to jump on some good PR! Let's see some utility around here, people!
Chris 7:40PM (7/01/2009)
This is as close to an upgraded golf cart as I've seen. Reminds me of this one: http://www.uberreview.com/2006/10/h2-hummer-golf-cart.htm
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mike 7:52PM (7/01/2009)
I have nothing against low speeds per se.
But am I right in just thinking this is a golf cart with a body kit?
How is that news?
Now if something pops up with some actual original thinking or engineering then that would be interesting to hear about.
This looks an inch away from those stupid golf carts with lincoln or mercedes grills on them.
- Mike
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RAN 8:47PM (7/01/2009)
*Real* NEVs need to be able to go 50 mph; fast enough for any city street, but not fast enough for the highways, or they are completely worthless.
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Chris M 9:43PM (7/01/2009)
Well, 50 mph would be sufficient for all city streets except for freeways and interstate highways, so it would still go to most local places.
The problem is, once you add the extra safety features to increase speeds from 35 to 50, the cost is high enough that you might as well go all the way to freeway speed capability.
pinili 1:53AM (7/02/2009)
16k? They'll be bankrupt in no time.
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Sac 2:18AM (7/02/2009)
I agree with most of the comments regarding the niche aspects of NEV's. Here is a pretty good little article about the NEV market.
http://www.matternetwork.com/2009/6/neighborhood-electric-vehicles-market-grows.cfm
These will become quickly irrelevant if EV's see even a fractin of the expected market penetration in the next 24-48 months.
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Richard in FLA 12:44PM (7/02/2009)
I like the looks of it, but again, too slow for me. My ride to work takes me over a road with the speed limit of 45-50. The price is steep for this slow car with short range. The Gem cost around $8,000. Same statistics. You can find those used for $4,000.
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Chris 1:26PM (7/02/2009)
Hell, I couldn't even get to the grocery store much less work trying to stay on roads 35mph or less.
Besides, I don't think that I'd want to be driving around on a street with massive SUVs in something that small. I don't need safety features to help me stop running into things (i can do that fine myself) but to protect me when some dumbass in a Navigator tries to find his cell phone and doesn't stop at the light.
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waldorick 6:49PM (7/24/2009)
You know when the president raises taxes many of us wonder how will pay for it and what kind of burden it would place on our children. But talk about things such as alternative transportation that could help the environment and save our planet, and give our children a better future, we find all kinds of excuses, “the thing is to slow, or its like a modified golf cart, I need something that can go 50 + mph”. But if we all would sacrifice a little, by getting out of our big SUV’s, and traveling down the road just a little slower, we might just save this planet of ours. You know they say you have to crawl before you can walk, and in the balance when your teenage son or daughter goes out and does that adolescent thing “DUI” and gets in an ascendant, they may just live at the slower speed!!
I think if we had a law that said if we are traveling 50 miles or less, we should use an LSV, more then 50 miles we can use or highway speed type vehicles.
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