Lovebird

Overallsize 62"(L) 30"(W) 52"(H) Seat Width 36" Scooter Weight 440 lbs (including 3 batteries) Load Capacity 600 lbs Front and Rear Wheel 13inch Tire 9.0/8.0-8 inflatable tires Battery Lead-acid (12V 75AH) x 3 Power 1200W Recharger Time 4/6 hrs Drive System Rear gear drive with transaxle Brake System Electromagnetic brake Max Speed 12 mph Distance Per Charge 30 miles Turning Radius 6'

Cost $1580 FOB China

PININFARINA NIDO

Bolloré and Pininfarina Group have agreed a 50-50 joint venture to manufacture a car that will be 100% electric and sold under the Pininfarina brand. The electric car, which will be manufactured by Pininfarina in Italy, will benefit from the vast expertise gained by Pininfarina in the design and production of top-of-the-range automobiles and will be equipped with a revolutionary Lithium Metal Polymer battery developed by the Bolloré. Founded in 1930, Pininfarina is based in Italy and has more than 3,000 employees a facilities throughout the world. Its Italian plants can produce up to 60,000 cars a year (20,000 cars a year in its Sweden plant). The battery can be recharged by plugging it into a standard home electrical outlet. A full charge will take about five hours, a five-minute charge will be enough for a 25 km run. Production capacity will depend on the number of batteries that the Bolloré Group will be able to manufacture at its plants in Brittany (Ergué-Gaberic) and Canada (Montreal), and should be sufficient to deliver up to 15,000 cars a year. Description: The Nido EV is a 2-door, 2-seater microcar, slightly larger than the Smart fortwo. The Nido EV will accelerate from 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds. The Nido platform is designed to be easily converted to a 4 seater hatchback, small truck, or light van. Specs: 2 seats Range: 87 mi / Top Speed: 75 mph Charge time: 5 hours / Battery: Lithium Metal Polymer Battery plant: Bollore Group - Montreal, Brittany Bollore, Bathium: Jean-Luc Monfort

E-TRIKE

MANILA - Local manufacturers are confident of jump starting the country's nascent electric tricycle sector using the prototype unveiled by the Department of Energy and the Asian Development Bank. The DOE and ADB recently released an e-trike prototype to anchor the country's $500 million electric tricycle program, which targets to bring 20,000 of such vehicles in the country by 2013 and another 80,000 by 2016. The e-trike was developed by a Japanese consultant, Itchiro Hatayama, based on the winning entry in a design competition conducted by the DOE a few months back. The winning entry was enhanced considering the aspects of safety, functionality and production friendliness. Also taken into consideration were the terrain, passenger capacity and other local operating conditions of a tricycle, whether electric or not. An advertising space was also incorporated into the design for the operators to maximize revenues out of owning and operating an e-trike. “EVAP is in full support of the DOE e-trike project because we believe that this will be a shot in the arm for the infant industry and catalyze its players to pursue and invest more in the domestic EV industry. It is also expected to generate not only jobs and business opportunities but will also provide the much-needed transfer of EV technology along the way”, Juan said.

TRIAD USA

TRIAD USA BEGAN WITH A GRANT OF $500,000 (TO BE RE-PAID) FROM THE CITY OF SALINAS, CALIFORNIA. THEY WERE GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR A $2.5 MILLION GRANT FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IF THEY COULD FIND MATCHING FUNDS. THEY WENT THROUGH THE $500,000 LIKE IT WAS LUNCH MONEY. LEE COLIN WAS VICE PRESIDENT IN CHARGE OF MARKETING AND WAS PAID $75,000 THE FIRST YEAR. THEYALSO HIRED 6 QUALIFIED ENGINEERS TO FINISH THE DESIGN OF THE TRIAD. THEY SOLD 6 TRIADS FOR APPROXIMATELY $20,000 EACH, ALONG WITH A FEW ELECTRIC VANS THAT THEY IMPORTED. LAST APRIL, THEY DECLARED BANKRUPTCY. I MET LEE COLIN RECENTLY IN MONTEREY, CALIF. HE WANTS VERY MUCH TO BE THE SALES REP FOR THE ELECTRIC COCO SPORT IN THE SAN JOSE-SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AND SACRAMENTO. HE IS VERY QUALIFIED IN MARKETING.

IN MY OPINION, THE LIT TWO-PASSENGER ENCLOSED MOTORCYCLE IS PROBABLY THE BEST IDEA IN DESIGN OF A VEHICLE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. THE LIT MOTOR COMPANY IS A LITTLE SECRETIVE ABOUT WHAT GOES IN THEIR VEHICLE. THEY TELL YOU IT HAS GYRO TO KEEP IT UPRIGHT AND THAT IT WILL GO 200 MILES ON A CHARGE. THAT’S AN INCREDIBLE STATEMENT. THEY WILL NOT TELL YOU WHOSE BATTERIES THEY ARE USING. THE OTHER 3 ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES ON THE MARKET TODAY HAVE A RANGE OF 60-80 MILES. THE ZERO, THE BRAMMO, AND A MOTORCYCLE THAT IS MANUFACTURED IN OAKLAND, CALIF. TWO YEARS AGO, I RODE THE LIGHTER-WEIGHT ZERO MOTORCYCLE, AND IT IS EXTREMELY QUIET AND EXCITING. THE ACCELERATION IS VERY RAPID. I ALSO RODE THE MOTORCYCLE FROM OAKLAND. IT’S MORE LIKE A JAPANESE BIKE, HEAVIER AND NOT AS RAPID ACCERELATION. BRAMMO ELECTRIC DID SOME TEST MARKETING IN BEST-BUY STORES LAST YEAR AND WAS NOT TOO SUCCESSFUL. POLARIS BOUGHT THE BRAMMO COMPANY, AND THEY ALSO BOUGHT THE GEM COMPANY (MANUFACTURER OF GOLF CARTS) FROM GENERAL MOTORS TWO YEARS AGO.

Tac Motors / Brazil

The Stark – MotoCzysz Imagine barreling through the Amazonian rainforest with machetes flailing from the windows of your off-road rig, and just as you're about to kick the vehicle into low gear, you pause to consider the impact of your vehicle's exhaust (among other things) on the delicate ecosystem around. Fortunately for eco-minded folks, Portland-based EV manufacturer MotoCzysz -- creator of the wicked E1pc electric motorcycle -- plans to allay some of those concerns with its all-electric eStark SUV. For the basis of the vehicle, the company has turned to Brazilian auto manufacturer TAC Motors. The two partners will work together to integrate MotoCyzysz's electric D1g1tal Dr1ve powertrain into otherwise diesel-thirsty Stark SUVs. Naturally, they'll also need to fill it with a healthy battery pack, which'll undoubtedly weigh down the otherwise plasticky carriage. Currently, the companies plan to manufacturer 3,600 eStark SUVs, which the partners hope to sell in Brazil and North America. Don't count on taking the eStark onto the freeway anytime soon, though -- the high cost of US safety certifications will likely keep this one away from city streets.

DIGITAL DRIVE FOR THE STARK

The patent pending D1G1TAL DR1VE achieves an unmatched level of integration never before available, making it the simplest and most complete solution for any company manufacturing electric vehicles. Utilizing the Remy HVH motor, the D1G1TAL DR1VE starts with proven motor technology that delivers industry-leading torque and power density and has over a billion miles of proven reliability. A proprietary compact IGBT-based controller is bundled with all necessary high voltage components and is mounted on an anti-vibration chassis within the unit. Up to 1150 N-m of torque is delivered through a gear-driven final drive and built-in differential. The entire system uses a patent pending cooling and lubrication system, delivering winning results in intense international competition. The D1 is slated for delivery in Q2 of 2011, for under $8999. Additional models, including a high performance version, are currently under development.

TAC Motors selects the D1g1tal Dr1ve for their upcoming Stark

Flybo I SAW THIS VEHICLE AT THE GUANGZHOU, CHINA EXPO IN JULY 2012. CORRESPONDENCE WAS MADE BETWEEN MR. KING AT friendsksw@ hotmail.com. MR. KING CLAIMED THERE WAS AN ORDER OF 30 UNITS FROM THE USA BUT WOULD NOT DISCLOSE WHO PURCHASED THEM. THE VEHICLE IS WAY UNDERPOWERED AND HAS A 48V INSTEAD OF 72V.

Technical Specification EEC NO. e11*2002/24*1225*00 Person Quantity 2

Dimensions FB-EV01 Dimension(L*W*H) 2295*1330*1720mm Wheelbase 1595mm Tread front/rear 1030/1050mm Curb Weight 550kg Payload 200kg Front/Rear axle F/R 265/471 kg Electric Motor Type Separated excited DC motor Power 3.1 KW Rate Voltage 48 V Rated Current 100A Rated Torque 8.28 Nm Rated Rotate speed 3600 r/min Battery Type Lead-acid gel maintenance-free battery Battery Life Recharging for 500 times Distance per Charge 60km Max Speed 40km/h Tire 145/70R12

MOON BUGGY 1

DUE TO THE UNSAFE UTILITY TERRAN VEHICLES (UTV’S), I DESIGNED A UTV THAT WAS 12 INCHES WIDER AND APPROXIMATELY 4-6 INCHES LOWER THAN MOST UTV’S GIVING THE VEHICLE A LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG). WITH A LOWER CG, OF COURSE, THE VEHICLE IS MUCH SAFER. THE 12 INCH WIDTH STRIP IS BETWEEN THE TWO SEATS FROM FRONT TO BACK. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO PUT BATTERIES FOR AN ELECTRICAL VEHICLE.

It was learned last week that Federal safety officials are investigating the Yamaha Rhino, which has been linked to 30 deaths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) decision to investigate the Yamaha Rhino was based on accident and death reports involving the vehicle as well as the high number of product liability suits that have been filed by people who claim they were injured using this product. Unlike another class of off-roaders all terrain vehicles (ATV’s), are subject to safety standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has not set safety standards for vehicles like the Rhino, which it classifies as a utility terrain vehicle, or UTV. Off-road vehicles are involved in hundreds of accidents every year, critics say the Yamaha Rhino is even more likely to be involved in one particular type of mishap - rollover accidents. Critics allege that the Yamaha Rhino is top heavy and it has tires that are extremely narrow.

Moon Buggy THE MOON BUGGY WAS CONTRACTED WITH A STUDENT FROM ART CENTER COLLEGE IN PASADENA. ART CENTER COLLEGE IS FAMOUS FOR AUTOMOBILE DESIGN. THEY CLAIM FIFTY PERCENT OF AUTOMOBILES IN THE WORLD ARE DESIGNED BY THEIR GRADUATES. THE NEW VOLKSWAGEN IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. THIS VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES WIDER THAN THE UTV’S THAT ARE SOLD BY KAWASAKI, POLARIS AND YAMAHA. DUE TO THE MANY ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS FROM THE UTV’S OVERTURNING, MAKING THE VEHICLE 12 INCHES WIDER SOLVES TWO PROBLEMS: IT GIVES LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY, AND IT GIVES A PLACE FOR THE BATTERIES FOR THE ELECTRICAL VEHICLE BETWEEN THE SEATS INSTEAD OF PLACING THEM UNDER THE SEATS.

Renault TWIZY Europeans have really taken a liking to Renault’s electric offerings, with Germany in particular registering impressive sales figures, for niche cars like EVs. During the first five months of the year, more than 1000 Twizys have been sold in Germany - a large chunk of the 4,500 total European sales figure. It is also worth noting that, according to www.goingelectric.de, the German customers preferred the more powerful, faster and more expensive version of the Twizy in the detriment of the 45 km/h version which costs €6,990 ($8,600). The 80 km/h version costs slightly more, at €8,490 ($10,500), but it seems that it is the better choice of the two. Even after factoring in the cost of the battery rental program, which detracts between €50 - €75 ($62 - $93) from your bank account every month, the car is still a good deal, as running costs are insignificantly low.

MY ELECTRIC VEHICLE (MEV), LONDON, UK It was no wonder that when GM decided to sell off Hummer many parties were interested in licensing the ‘look’. In some countries, such as China, a Hummer is still a status symbol. But all bids fell through, money could not be secured and in the midst of it all a small company called MEV, My Electric Vehicle, secured GM’s official licensed product Hummer seal of approval. They proceeded to take what was wrong with the Hummer, notably size and poor efficiency and reduced it to the max…quite literally! There was no way that the Hummer could have been electrified efficiently retaining its size; Raser Technologies tried and failed to market the product competitively. So when MEV decided to shrink wrap the HX Concept packaging around their 2 seater golf cart platform a little magic happened. Not only was the issue of size and weight addressed but the outdated and much criticised poor fuel consumption eradicated. What you end up with in MEV’s HX™ and HX-T™ is the best of both worlds really, the fun ‘bling’ looks of the Hummer and a relatively guilt-free electric vehicle. Yes we know not all electric cars are clean, but anything is better than 10 mpg + toxic emissions.

MARSHELL DN-4F/DN-4C MARSHELL IS ONE OF TOP ELECTRIC CAR MANUFACTURERS IN CHINA, WHICH HAS CAPACITY FOR FRAME, FIBER GLASS, PAINTING, INJECTION MOULD. TOOLING MOULD IS MADE IN HOUSE, AT THE TWO FACTORIES IN GUANGDONG AND SHANGHAI; BASED ON STRONG QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS AND PRODUCTION CAPACITY, MARSHELL WILL BE YOUR BEST PARTNER IN CHINA FOR ELECTRIC CAR BUSINESS. I CORRESPONDED WITH KAREN AND VERA OF MARSHELL CO. AND E.J. JOO OF VCTECH MOTORS IN SOUTH KOREA. VCTECH MANUFACTURES AC MOTORS WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED WORLDWIDE AND IN THE USA TO THE GOLF CART INDUSTRY. THE MARSHELL VEHICLE IS WAY UNDERPOWERED AND UNDER VOLTAGE. I AM LOOKING AT THE POSSIBILITY OF VCTECH SUPPLYING A MOTOR AND CONTROLLER AND INSTALLING IT IN THE MARSHELL VEHICLES. IT WILL BE EITHER A 5.6 OR 7 KW MOTOR. I WOULD HOPE THERE WILL BE ROOM FOR A 72V BATTERY SYSTEM. IF THIS OCCURS, I WOULD FLY TO SHANGHAI TO TEST THE VEHICLES.

THE NEMESIS BY SUPERLITE CARS

The Nemesis is an ideal track-day car for driving schools, individuals and driving clubs. Powered by the popular and reliable Suzuki Hayabusa 1300 cc engine (and now, with VW 2.0 power as an option), the car has an incredible power-to-weight ratio that, like all Superlite cars, combines with advanced suspension design for great handling, and fast track speed. In fact, the suspension on the Nemesis was designed from the ground up with maintenance in mind, so each corner has identical components (they are just flipped to mount on the other side). This simple design makes it less expensive to repair a damaged car, as only one set of part numbers needs to be stocked. The Nemesis holds an International Design award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. This prestigious award was also shared with new Aston Martin One-77 Sports car, and Mercedes Benz SLR Stirling Moss edition. They are the world’s most prestigious global awards for new product design. The award-winning Nemesis is more than just great design and performance. Safety was a prime consideration in the design and manufacture of the car. Because of the exoskeletal design, the chassis features superior front, side & rear protection. The chassis also features integrated a large, tall roll hoop with rear stay, at a height that even NBA stars won’t exceed, making ideal for driving schools that see a very wide range of drivers. Other safety features include collapsible steering column, centralized fuel tank with optional fuel cell, over-sized brakes & a cooling system that is behind the driver, so burns from coolant leaks- even in a crash- are a thing of the past. Quick to Build. The kit is designed and supplied with mounting brackets and virtually all parts required to complete the vehicle. Just add engine package.