AutoblogGreen

Renault could sell low-speed Twizy; Nissan considering Leaf battery leases

Danny King — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:08:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Lightweight, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), UK

If anyone wondered what right-hand-drive donuts in a really light electric-vehicle looked like, we all may soon find out.

Renault may launch a low-speed version of its battery-electric Twizy in the UK next year in an effort to capitalize on a law allowing for unlicensed drivers for some smaller vehicles, according to UK's Autocar.

The EV, called the Twizy 45, would be able to be legally driven by unlicensed drivers who are at least 16 years old if the EV is limited to a top speed of 28 miles per hour (that's 45 kph and gives the car its name) and weighs no more than 350 kilograms (770 pounds), or about half the weight of a Smart ForTwo, Autocar reported, citing Andy Heiron, who runs Renault UK's electric-vehicle operations. The EV may cost about £6,200 ($9,900), though a teenager may have to pay another two-thirds of that total during the first year in the form of insurance premiums.

Renault and sister company Nissan have invested a reported $5 billion developing lines of electric vehicles for both companies, including the Nissan Leaf. Nissan's only sold about 600 Leafs in the UK since the model's launch there last spring, Heiron told Autocar, adding that Nissan is considering allowing Leaf buyers to lease the car's battery instead of buying it in order to cut the cost of the car.

The Twizy got some additional attention earlier this week by being included in the new "Plug Into The Positive Energy" exhibit at the L'Atelier Renault stage on Paris's Champs Elysées, where the EV is moved around vertically as part of a so-called "dance routine." Renault this month started selling three variations of the Twizy, with the lowest-price Urban starting at £6,690 ($10,702 U.S. at today's exchange rates) and the top-of-the-line Technic priced at £7,400 ($11,838).

Renault could sell low-speed Twizy; Nissan considering Leaf battery leases originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 31 Mar 2012 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pennsylvania may make neighborhood-electric vehicles street legal

Danny King — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

Pennsylvania, one of the last states holding out against legalizing neighborhood-electric vehicles (NEVs) - such as those from Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), pictured - for street use, may change its laws to allow NEVs on some streets with speed limits as high as 35 miles per hour, according to AOL's Patch website for Warmister, PA.

The State Senate passed a bill that would allow NEVs on any street with a posted speed limit of no more than 25 mph and on some roads where the speed limit is as high as 35 mph. The bill, which was sponsored by the appropriately-named Senator Stewart Greenleaf and which doesn't include golf carts, will go before the state's House of Representatives for possible approval.

NEVs have long been popular with governments and operators of entities such as college campuses and planned communities because of their relatively small footprint, rechargability and lower pricetag - their lead-acid batteries keep the cost of a typical NEV at about $9,000.

NEVs are also gradually gaining favor as on-street vehicles. Green-technology research firm Pike Research estimated last year that global annual NEV sales will increase to almost 55,000 vehicles in 2017 from about 37,000 last year, with North America accounting for about half those totals. Global sales of NEVs, which are street-legal in 46 states, could surge further if China makes them street-legal.

Pennsylvania may make neighborhood-electric vehicles street legal originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Greentech Automotive's MyCar is actually getting built

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

What the world apparently needs now, according to the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe, is a U.S.-made, low-speed electric vehicle. Yes, in the age of the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i, Greentech Automotive began building the MyCar in Horn Lake, MS on November 11th. McAuliffe says that his car has one big advantage: "We have some great electric cars out there, but they are expensive. I want the masses to be able to buy our car." Of course, even though the website repeatedly mentions that the MyCar is afforadable, it doesn't seem to give an actual price for the car. Charlottesville Tomorrow says the car will costbetween $10,000 and $17,000, depending on how big the lithium-ion battery pack is. Different sizes give the car a range of anywhere between 40 and 100 miles. We've asked GTA to share more detailed information with us, and will let you know when we get a response.

In any case, the MyCar has a top speed of 45 miles per hour (which will be legally limited to 25 or 35 mph, depending on state law). It's also polite. The MyCar website says, "No highway driving, please." That comes later. Greentech Automotive has expressed plans to build "fully NHTSA- and EPA-certified, full-speed, all-road vehicles" at some point down the road, should things pan out. Things are off to a good start, with the 110 or so vehicles that GTA will make in its first year of production already sold to a buyer in Denmark.

Greentech Automotive's MyCar is actually getting built originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Will GreenTech vehicles go to Europe?

Eric Loveday — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Europe/EU, USA

Founded in 2009 by former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, GreenTech Automotive is currently prepping its first neighborhood electric vehicle, the MyCar, for launch in the U.S. and distribution throughout Europe.

Roughly the same size as a Smart Fortwo, the MyCar will be built at GreenTech's Mississippi factory and should hit U.S. streets by late 2011. Recently, GreenTech Automotive received certification to export vehicles to Europe and claims to have already signed a distribution deal with Danish firm Greenabout. Other deals with European distributors are supposedly in the works.

GreenTech says the U.S.-built MyCar stays true to the automaker's motto of "no green technology is truly green unless it is affordably green." Pricing for the MyCar has not yet been released.

Continue reading Will GreenTech vehicles go to Europe?

Will GreenTech vehicles go to Europe? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Greentech Automotive gets a second act, wants to make MyCar in MIssissippi

Mark Sumner — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:06:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Greentech Automotive was founded in 2006 by former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, but you could be forgiven if you forgot about the company over the last five years. McAuliffe, who managed the unsuccessful presidential campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton in 2008 and lost a bid for the governorship of Virginia in 2009, seemed to have put his transportation efforts on the back burner. In the meantime, Greentech - which was planned in partnership with the former CEO of Chinese automaker Brilliance - underwent a series of management changes.

Now McAuliffe is back at the helm as Greentech prepares to roll out its first vehicle. Based on a design penned by automotive impressario Giorgetto Giugiaro, the MyCar is the size of a Smart fortwo but it is an NEV, and so it is limited to a top speed of 35 mph. GreenTech plans to sell the NEV both in the U.S. and in Europe, where the market for such vehicles is more robust. A version of the myCar was previously available in Europe from the UK's NICE Car Company.

Greentech's plans don't end with the NEV market. They intend to follow the myCar with "fully NHTSA- and EPA-certified, full-speed, all-road vehicles."

Like many other electric vehicle start-up companies, GreenTech is looking to build an impressive factory: a $1 billion dollar facility near Tunica, MS. The company is also predicting hiring an impressive number of jobs, with 5,000 people to be on payroll by 2014. Trouble is, promises are easy to make, and electric cars are not.

Greentech Automotive gets a second act, wants to make MyCar in MIssissippi originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Electric cab company hit with hundreds of tickets in Austin [w/video]

Eric Loveday — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

A recent arrest has re-ignited a three-year battle between Electric Cab of Austin, TX and the City's Transportation Department, proving again that the legal status of low-speed electric vehicles is a gray area in a lot of places in the U.S.

Last Sunday, a driver for Electric Cab of Austin was reportedly arrested for not having the proper permit to operate a vehicle for hire on the streets of Austin. The owner of Electric Cab, Chris Nielsen, admits as much, but says his firm does not need a permit since his drivers work only for tips, not fares. This isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened, and Electric Cab has faced hundreds of dismissed tickets over the past few years.

Even though he says he doesn't need a permit, Nielsen claims he has been trying to get one for a long time. The trouble is, since his five vehicles are basically nothing more than electrified golf carts, they are not included in the city's ordinances and, thus, permits cannot be obtained. Neilsen says he will continue to operate Electric Cab and, now that he has the support of Austin's police department, his drivers aren't likely to be arrested. Austin's city council is currently working on regulations that should eventually allow for Electric Cab to obtain a proper permit. Hit the jump for KXAN News' video of this ongoing permit battle.

Continue reading Electric cab company hit with hundreds of tickets in Austin [w/video]

Electric cab company hit with hundreds of tickets in Austin [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Get off the phone: Cause of fatal G-Wiz crash revealed

Eric Loveday — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Though exempt from formal crash test standards in most countries, vehicles like the electric, Indian-built Reva - sold in England as the G-Wiz - have occasionally been subjected to informal tests, and the results have raised eyebrows. Years ago, Top Gear subjected a G-Wiz to EuroNCAP crash tests to see how it would hold up. The vehicle struck a barrier at 40 miles per hour and, well, let's just say the G-Wiz nearly vanished.

That makes for interesting TV, but the safety issues are real. A leading British academic, Dr. Judit Nadal, 47, sadly lost her life shortly after her blue G-Wiz collided with a Skoda Octavia in November of 2010. The G-Wiz was reportedly torn in two on the A41 Hendon Way that links London to Birkenhead.

Now, circumstances leading up to the accident have been revealed and, even though it's still easy to question the G-Wiz's safety, the fatal crash was apparently caused by driver error. The London Evening Standard reports Dr. Nadal had been on the phone with her husband seconds before the impact. Just moments before the fatal crash, Dr. Nadal told her husband, "I think I have made a mistake," as she whizzed out in front of the Skoda.

Though the police investigation found the G-Wiz provided almost no protection in the accident, Dr. Nadal's decision not to fasten her seatbelt because she found it to be uncomfortable, means she'd likely of had only a slight chance of surviving the crash even if the G-Wiz had been developed to meet crash test standards. Dr. Nadal's husband told the London Evening Standard that his final words to his wife were, "Get off the phone and concentrate." Let this be a lesson to all.

Get off the phone: Cause of fatal G-Wiz crash revealed originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

What if everyone in your town drove a golf cart? In Peachtree City, GA, they do!

Domenick Yoney — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

Golf cart parking at McIntosh High School in Peachtree City, GA - Click above to watch video after the jump

What would it be like if everyone in your town did all their local driving in golf carts? One only has to look to Peachtree City, GA, a planned community just south of Atlanta, to get an idea. Almost every family in this town of 35,000 has one of the low-speed, low-carbon vehicles. That makes for about 10,000 of them roaming the 90 miles of cart-compatible paths, picking up groceries, taking kids to school and ~~robbing banks~~ doing all the short trips that make up so much of our daily driving.

The phenomenon began after the construction of the first golf course in the sixties when residents wanted a cart-specific path to access the facility. From there it quickly grew, even influencing State legislation in 1974 allowing golf carts on public streets. A survey conducted by the city indicates that carts make a million trips a year that would otherwise be made by larger vehicles. Hit for jump for a nice video piece by AP and let us know if you'd like your town to follow their example.

[Source: Associated Press / Peachtree City]

Continue reading What if everyone in your town drove a golf cart? In Peachtree City, GA, they do!

What if everyone in your town drove a golf cart? In Peachtree City, GA, they do! originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CARB approves extension of clean vehicle rebates

Eric Loveday — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Legislation and Policy, On Two Wheels, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

The California Air Resources Board (CARB), the funding agency behind the state's zero-emissions Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), has proposed a significant increase in funding for CVRP in 2011-2012. CARB is proposing tripling the funding from last year's level of $5 million to $15 million. Since the Board approved the Draft Funding Plan on July 21st, this level of funding, along with the reduced rebate amounts, is technically official.

While we can't say for certain when 2011-2012 funding will be allocated, we can shed some light on the allocation process. Even though the Draft Funding Plan has been approved, CARB must wait until the state budget is finalized. As a state agency, CARB is not allowed to spend money until California's budget is set. Once approved, CARB will then open up a competitive bidding process to organizations interested in administering the CVRP and, upon evaluation, award the grant to a successful organization.

The per-vehicle rebate amounts will be reduced for 2011-2012. Here's a look at the rebate breakdown:

Light-duty, Type II, III, IV or V zero-emissions vehicle (i.e. Nissan Leaf): up to $2,500
Type I.5 (range = or >75, but <100; i.e. Azure Transit Connect) zero-emissions vehicles: $2,000
Type I (range = or >50, but <75 miles) zero-emissions vehicles:$1,500
Light-duty plug-in hybrid vehicles (i.e. Plug-in Prius): $1,500
Neighborhood electric vehicles: up to $900
Zero-emissions motorcycles: $900

Like before, CVRP funds are limited and will be handed out first-come, first-served. Last time 'round, CVRP funds ran dry in less than 16 months, but now that the per-vehicle amount has been reduced, this round should last longer. We'll see.

[Source: California Air Resources Board (PDF)]

Continue reading CARB approves extension of clean vehicle rebates

CARB approves extension of clean vehicle rebates originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Polaris to close GEM factory in Fargo, will shift production to Minnesota, Iowa

Eric Loveday — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:12:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

In late April, Polaris Industries announced that it would soon acquire full ownership rights to low-speed electric vehicle manufacturer Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) from Chrysler.

Now comes word that Polaris will shut down GEM's existing factory in Fargo, ND and shift all production of the neighborhood electric vehicles to Polaris' facilities in Medina and Wyoming, MN and Spirit Lake, IA. Polaris says the transition will be completed by the end of 2011.

For some 80 current GEM employees, the move means that their days of manufacturing vehicles in Fargo will soon come to an end. Some have reportedly been offered positions at the aforementioned trio of Polaris production sites.

Currently, GEM manufactures six street-legal models; well, they're legal on roads with posted speeds of 35 miles per hour or less. To date, GEM, widely recognized as a leader in the neighborhood electric vehicle segment, has sold 45,000-plus battery-powered vehicles worldwide.

Gallery: GEMs Peapod

[Source: CBS Minnesota]

Polaris to close GEM factory in Fargo, will shift production to Minnesota, Iowa originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 09:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Pike sees only 695,000 NEVs on the streets by 2017

Eric Loveday — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

The total number of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) on roads throughout the world will increase slowly but steadily from 479,000 in 2011 to 695,000 by 2017, according to a study conducted by Pike Research. During that time period, annual NEV sales will shoot up from 37,000 vehicles to nearly 55,000, with North America accounting for a whopping 45 percent of annual sales. Pike notes that:

The rise in gas prices, the aging population, and the increase in master planning and community density all point to trends that will encourage NEV adoption. However, the market will remain small, as regulators seem unlikely to allow lower-speed vehicles to mix with higher-speed vehicles in any meaningful way on the roads.

In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines NEVs as low-speed vehicles that top out at 25 miles per hour and restricts their use to roads with a speed limit of 35 mph of less. Over in Europe, NEVs are classified as quadricycles and top speed is restricted to 28 mph. Meanwhile, Japan categorizes NEVs based on power and most other Asian nations have not developed a classification system for NEVs, according to Pike. With that chunk of info out of the way, Pike says that 70 percent of NEVs are sold to fleets, with most private buyers admitting that NEVs are purchased as a second or third vehicle.

[Source: Pike Research]

Continue reading Pike sees only 695,000 NEVs on the streets by 2017

Pike sees only 695,000 NEVs on the streets by 2017 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

CT&T exec denies automaker is withdrawing from U.S.

Eric Loveday — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:52:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Asia, USA

e-Zone electric vehicle - Click above for high-res image

We've recently heard reports that claimed that South Korean automaker CT&T is struggling in a pretty serious way. According to the Houston Chronicle, CT&T has "abandoned its pledge to the three states [Hawaii, Pennsylvania and South Carolina] - without notice - and deserted its new U.S. markets amid financial difficulties." Not so fast, says, Joseph White, chief operating officer of CT&T electric vehicle sales and marketing, who told the New York Times that those claims are erroneous.

In a telephone interview with the Times, White stated:

A lot has changed structurally for us. Our parent company in Korea is now a public company, where it was privately held. Our operation here in the United States has morphed into more of a strategic holding company. We are in the process of adapting to those changes. We are still selling vehicles, delivering them to our customers, and we have significant inventory here - over $5 million worth. In fact, a few days ago in Korea, our parent company just unveiled another new four-passenger low-speed vehicle for our lineup

According to White, CT&T still aims to set up shop somewhere in upstate South Carolina. However, there's no timetable for that and White did admit that CT&T's promised assembly plant in Hawaii and its assembly and distribution sites in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Pennsylvania will "have to be for later on."

The New York Times reports that CT&T United's phones have been disconnected, but business is somehow still being conducted. When prodded by the NYT, White declined to reveal the number of employees working at CT&T and wouldn't disclose the automaker's sales volume. This all seems a bit too fishy to us. You?

[Source: New York Times]

CT&T exec denies automaker is withdrawing from U.S. originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: CT&T abandoning plans to build NEVs in U.S.?

Eric Loveday — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), Asia, USA

e-Zone Electric Vehicle - Click above for high-res image

South Korean automaker CT&T made a splash in three states (Hawaii, Pennsylvania and South Carolina) in 2009 when it announced that it would hire hundreds of Americans to build its quirky e-Zone low-speed electric vehicle in the U.S. Unfortunately, things have dried up a bit since then.

The South Korean electric automakers has, according to the Houston Chronicle, "abandoned its pledge to the three states - without notice - and deserted its new U.S. markets amid financial difficulties."

Not all hope is lost. CT&T United - a North American subsidiary of CT&T - is supposedly in the process of separating from its parent company and is looking to construct facilities in Hawaii and South Carolina, provided that it raises at least $250 million. James Park, vice-president of CT&T United, told the Houston Chronicle that the company is, "in very close negotiations on the final stage of funding," so perhaps the commitments can still be kept in some fashion.

Back home in South Korea, CT&T is reportedly facing "liquidity issues" and every indicator suggests that the automaker's struggles are severe.

[Source: Chron]

Report: CT&T abandoning plans to build NEVs in U.S.? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

MEV rocks up with electric mini Hummer HX

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, HUMMER, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

2011 MEV Hummer HX - Click above to watch the video after the jump

The 2008 Hummer HX concept was supposed to be General Motors' answer to the Jeep Wrangler. To put it mildly, that failed to materialize. General Motors killed Hummer as part of its bankruptcy-induced limb severing in 2009, before the HX could be brought to fruition as the H4, as had been rumored.

For those of you who wish the HX had indeed surfaced, we have some excellent news: My Electric Vehicle, or MEV, has appropriated the HX concept, added an electric drivetrain and created the MEV Hummer HX. The MEV HX is a fully electric ~~golf cart~~ resort vehicle, licensed by GM and sporting Hummer wheels and skid plates.

We're still trying to figure out if the MEV Hummer HX has any practical purpose, which could take some time. While we're doing that, feel free to hop the jump to see a video of the $16,000 electric Hummer knockoff in action.

[Source: Dvice via MEV]

Continue reading MEV rocks up with electric mini Hummer HX

MEV rocks up with electric mini Hummer HX originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GreenGo Tek wins bid to supply South Carolina with 10 electric vans

Eric Loveday — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:06:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

GreenGo Tek E-Dyne electric van

Michigan-based neighborhood electric vehicle manufacturer GreenGo Tek Electric (GGT) has been selected to supply the state of South Carolina with at least ten of its low-speed E-Dyne electric vans. South Carolina intends to use the plug-in vans for campus supervision, grounds maintenance, parking meter enforcement, personal transportation and light-duty cargo hauling.

The E-Dyne van is powered by either a 6-kW (8-horsepower) or an optional 25-kW (33.5-hp) electric motor and comes packing a 72-volt or an optional 96-volt absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery pack. Top speed for the E-Dyne is listed at 25 miles per hour and total range is a quaint 40 miles. The E-Dyne can be configured as an eight-seat passenger van or a two-seat cargo van.

Though the initial contract calls for GGT to deliver ten E-Dyne vans to the state of South Carolina, there's potential for a contract extension, with South Carolina having the option to purchase ten more electric vans.

[Source: GreenGo Tek]

Continue reading GreenGo Tek wins bid to supply South Carolina with 10 electric vans

GreenGo Tek wins bid to supply South Carolina with 10 electric vans originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Stetson University swaps SUV for Miles ZX40S NEV

Eric Loveday — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:52:00 EST

Filed under: NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

How much utility is there in an SUV? How about in an NEV? Stetson University's public safety department can find out now that it is slightly greener after replacing an aging sport utility vehicle with a battery-powered Miles ZX40S. Yep, that's right, the department has ditched its gas-guzzling SUV in favor of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) from California-based Miles Electric Vehicles. The ZX40S will be used by the public safety department's sergeants, captain and director to patrol the campus.

The NEV, complete with Public Safety decals, cost Stetson University a mere $13,000. For that amount of cash, the university now owns a vehicle that tops out at 25 miles per hour, boasts a run time of 200 to 240 minutes on a full charge and has an estimated battery life of 25,000 hours. The ZX40S seats up to four and is currently used at more than 30 university and college campuses across the U.S.

According to the Daytona Beach News Journal, the purchase of the NEV is "one of many steps that Stetson has taken to be environmentally responsible and reduce the university's carbon footprint." If all goes according to plan, Stetson may purchase additional electric vehicles for its facilities management department.

[Source: Daytona Beach News Journal]

Stetson University swaps SUV for Miles ZX40S NEV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nebraska still working on low-speed NEV bill

Eric Loveday — Wed, 04 May 2011 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), USA

GEM Peapod (RIP) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though highway-capable electric vehicles are here, there is still a place for NEVs. That place is, apparently, Nebraska.

In late April, lawmakers there advanced a measure that would allow low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) onto streets with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. The legislation, presented by Senator Heath Mello, was drawn up to accommodate the thriving low-cost NEV segment. Mello claims that:

As fuel prices continue to rise and Nebraska families and businesses look to save money, [NEVs] represent an alternative mode of transportation that has many potential uses.

Nebraska's measure would apply to four-wheeled electric vehicles that weigh in below 3,000 pounds and can maintain speeds between 20 and 25 mph. The legislation says that NEV drivers will be required to carry liability insurance, hold a valid operator's license and register the vehicle with the state. Nebraska's lawmakers have set aside $29,250 for its Department of Motor Vehicles to upgrade its vehicle title system to include NEVs.

Mello says that since NEVs are allowed on public roads in 35 other states, Nebraska's measure should pass with flying colors. In initial voting, the measure indeed passed 35-0. For the bill to become law, it will have to be passed two more times in the legislature before being handed to Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman for approval.

Gallery: GEM Peapod

[Source: Action 3 News]

Nebraska still working on low-speed NEV bill originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 04 May 2011 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Polaris buying low-speed electric car maker GEM from Chrysler

Eric Loveday — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:52:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Polaris Industries will acquire low-speed electric vehicle manufacturer Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler for an undisclosed amount. All Chrysler would tell us is that, "It's a confidential number."

Currently, GEM manufactures six street-legal models; well, they're legal on roads with posted speeds of 35 miles per hour or less. To date, GEM says its vehicles have tallied more than 450 million emission-free miles.

GEM is widely recognized as a leader in the neighborhood electric vehicle market, with approximately $30 million in total sales in 2010. Since being established in 1998, GEM has placed more than 45,000 battery-powered vehicles on streets worldwide. GEM vehicle are typically used by local, state and national government agencies and on closed campuses like resorts and universities. Scott Wine, Polaris' chief executive officer, said of the acquisition:

GEM provides Polaris with an established position in the low-emission small vehicle market and supports Polaris' strategy of penetrating on-road market segments poised for growth. We are excited about the outlook for growth within this market space, and are looking forward to developing even stronger growth prospects for the GEM business.

The agreement to acquire GEM should be finalized within the next 60 days. During this interim period, operations at GEM will proceed as usual. With annual 2010 sales of $2 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles.

[Source: Polaris]

Continue reading Polaris buying low-speed electric car maker GEM from Chrysler

Polaris buying low-speed electric car maker GEM from Chrysler originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

More GEMs on the horizon: Chrysler offers new 2011 low-speed electric vehicle options

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Chrysler, GEM, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

The last time we heard about GEM, the news wasn't good. In fact, the electric vehicle announcements from Chrysler haven't been all that positive for a while now, but that doesn't mean it will always be so. In fact, Chrysler announced today that the its wholly-owned subsidiary Global Electric Motorcars (GEM - not GreenEcoMobility, as once proposed) line-up of low-speed electric vehicles (aka NEVs) is back and better than ever.

The 2011 GEMs can have a new energy monitoring system and four new optional accessories, including 12-inch turf tires, right-hand drive, a short-bed package and utility tie downs. What, were you hoping for wireless iPhone charging? GEMs don't ever get that fancy, and even so there are over 45,000 of them on the road today.

The energy monitoring system is pretty neat, as it shows exactly how much energy (in kilowatt-hours) the GEM pulled from the socket. That way, you can double-check to see if Chrysler's stated two cents per mile cost of operation is accurate for you.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading More GEMs on the horizon: Chrysler offers new 2011 low-speed electric vehicle options

More GEMs on the horizon: Chrysler offers new 2011 low-speed electric vehicle options originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Romet unveils 4E prototype; an $8,300 two-seat NEV

Eric Loveday — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Daily, Lightweight, NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)

Known mainly for its work with motorcycles, scooters and ATVs, Polish company Romet Motors has rolled out its prototype 4E, a two-seat neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV). The company envisions the 4E (that's Electric, Economic, Ecologic, Easy) as an urban tool that slots in between two-wheeled, gasoline-fueled motorcycles and scooters and the more conventional autos that jam our roads today.

The 769-pound (without batteries) 4E is extremely small, yet fairly capable... when compared to other NEVs. The 4E is powered by a pair of DC motors with a combined rating of 4 kW and a 10 kWh battery in one of two flavors; lead acid or lithium-ion. Top speed is listed at 28 miles per hour and range is a more-than-reasonable 62 miles. If Romet gives the 4E the nod, then production could begin next year. With a projected price tag of only €6,000-7,000 ($8,370 to $9,765 U.S. at the current exchange rate), we'd bet that buyers in highly congested urban centers of Western Europe would snatch up the limited production run of 4Es in nothing flat.

[Source: Green Car Congress]

Romet unveils 4E prototype; an $8,300 two-seat NEV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments