REPORT: Michigan universities returning their electrical vehicles because of poor performance
Three Michigan universities are not happy with their electric vehicle, and want their money back. Actually, two have already returned their EVs, which were purchased on a trial basis, and Central Michigan University would like to do the same. Citing poor performance, especially during the cold Michigan winter, CMU wants $23,000 back. Associate Vice President of Facilities Management Steve Lawrence said "we have been disappointed with the performance of the unit."
According to the Central Michigan Life paper, the car was purchased from Miles Laboratory, but we assume they mean Miles Automotive. Since the vehicle is unidentified in the article we will further assume it's the ZX40ST, which is about the same price, was released last year and was intended for places like college campuses. CMU says that they were promised a range of about 80 miles on a single charge for their vehicle, but only got about half that. When it was introduced, we heard the ZX40ST would get between 50 and 60 miles per charge. Today, the Miles website lists the Z40ST's estimated range at 30-40 miles per charge.
CMU seems to be happier with its GEM electric vehicles, which cost about half of that $23,000 price. Haven't heard reports that those might be going back to the manufacturer, anyway.
[Source: CM Life]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Serge 11:05AM (10/19/2009)
Sebastian, why not mention that ZX40ST have lead-acid batteries, the kind known to have cold-weather performance issues?
Reply
Joeviocoe 11:47AM (10/19/2009)
Yeah, or the 10.8kwh capacity that should have never promised a range of about 80 miles on a single charge.
The specs say 6 AGM 12v batteries rated at 150 Ah each with a motor operating voltage of 72 volts. Thats 6 batteries in series so thats 72v x 150 Ah = 10.8kwh
And only 25,000 miles until battery replacement so I hope they are cheap or covered under warranty.
Yanquetino 11:17AM (10/19/2009)
I can understand CMU wanting something with better performance than the ZX40ST's six lead-acid batteries could deliver. On the other hand, that campus must be huge if they need to drive a NEV more than 40 miles per day!
Reply
nrb 11:37AM (10/19/2009)
If that thing is shuttling packages around at 15mpg, it could easily exceed 40 miles per day. In the cold weather, that could be 8 miles per day.
nrb 11:37AM (10/19/2009)
15mpg -> 15mph
Sean C 11:27AM (10/19/2009)
These are neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) and are frankly little more than sophisticated golf carts, albeit larger. They have a very small niche market (corporate and university campuses, etc.) and will give the next gen ev's a bad name with exactly this kind of press.
Reply
Rick 11:54AM (10/19/2009)
$23,000. golf cart? no thanks
Laurens 1:28PM (10/19/2009)
EV's need to start delivering real world performance, in stead of poster boy fantasies. In the mean time, invest your CO2 reduction money elsewhere.
Reply
chinb96629 2:40PM (10/19/2009)
At $23K, buyers should at least deserve the benefit and range of NiMH battery.
Reply
Paul 5:46PM (10/19/2009)
How pathetic is the media!! This story has been circulatingfor weeks.. a vehicle purchased on a TRIAL basis gets returned... big story there!!!
Reply
nrb 6:47PM (10/19/2009)
If it fails the trail, that's a story.
Stan Peterson 7:08AM (10/20/2009)
Its at least encouraging thatChrysler's GEM electric car division, has produced electric NEVs that the universities are happy with.
Reply
jim 7:51AM (10/20/2009)
IIRC, GEM's are priced in the $9,000-13000 range, which likely results in the experienced performance being in line with the vehicle cost. That said, I've heard anecdotal comments that GEM vehicles deliver pretty close to the advertised range, sometimes even exceeding it.
Getting what you pay for usually makes a happy consumer.
David Wright 11:22AM (10/20/2009)
Serious users buy serious EVs. Highway performance is available if wanted. Check out the Smith US website http://www.sev-us.com
Reply
JPR 11:35AM (10/20/2009)
I own a 2005 GEM e4 that I have driven for one year. I drive it for all my earns that are within a 10 mile distance from my house. No problems with it and I completely satisfied with the GEM. Nev's are a great solution for short distance driving.
Reply