The company was created by a few Canadians and is based out of Toronto. The team fealt like the electric car was something smaller companies can finally develop to get their foot in the door and compete with other big car manufacturers.

image from zenn motor company

And they were right, we are now starting to see smaller companies emerge like ZENN and Tesla in making great new electric cars.

The Zenn is a great choice over the Tesla because it is more affordable. The Zenn has a starting price of around $15,000 whereas the Tesla starts in the $50,000 range. The Zenn might be more affordable but you will be able to notice the differences as it comes with only a 50km driving range. That’s not very far. Couple that with the fact that is it only has a top speed of 40km/hr and you have more of a road worthy golf cart than car. You couldn’t drive one of these on the highway, but then again that is not what they are intended for.

Regardless of its flaws, if all you do is drive around your small town running errands than this might be the best car for you. In Canada, purchasing a Zenn will automatically qualify you for the $4,000 tax credit. That’ll bring the cars price right down to $11,000. Not that bad.

For more information on how to get a Zenn visit the Zenn Motor Company.

Image: ZennMotors.com

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 Zenn Electric

Mitsubishi MIEV 2009 - Image: Jyle Dupuis

Mitsubishi has launched its Drive@earth project, whereby they have committed to develop a fully environmentally friendly driving experience. That means electric! The new line up of EV (electric vehicle) cars are impressive, like the Mitzubishi MIEV 2009.

The car features some great new idea’s in motor-vehicle concepts. Like the in-wheel motor stator and powerful lithium-ion batteries. The stator isn’t a new idea as it has been used in electric trains for decades, but it has been a difficult technology to harness for cars. Cost is the primary setback for electric technology. But if you are committed to doing your part for the environment they are worth every penny.

If you do decide to go EV make sure that your electricity comes from a renewable source, example: wind, hydro, geo-thermal, … If your power company generates electricity with coal or other fossil fuels it kind of negates the purpose of the EV.

More info on the Mitsubishi MIEV at Wikipedia.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mitsubishi MIEV 2009

Tuesday, July 22nd – San Jose McEnery Convention Center, Hall 3

6p – 7:30p Exposition Hall Open
7:30p – 9p Speakers

– Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, Google.org, and former Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy

– Mark Duvall, Program Manager, Electric Transportation, Electric Power Research Institute

– Chelsea Sexton, Executive Director, Plug In America, and former General Motors EV1 Specialist

 More Info Here

Source: PRNewswire

Post from: EveryJoe

San Jose – July 22, Public Night @ Plug-In 2008

I had to laugh at this quote though…

 “Make no mistake – we are not a niche player with a car only for the rich and famous. As our agreement with the state so clearly demonstrates, we are building a high volume ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE, manufactured in California for mid-range family use. And we aren’t going to stop there. We will continue on and build even more affordable cars. You are witnessing the debut of a new car company, a company unlike all others, a company with a disruptive technology, a company dedicated for the exclusive production of Zero Emission Vehicles,” said Ze’ev Drori.

Can middle America really afford a $60,000.00 car?? Eh, I’m cheap. Maybe it’s just me.

At the very least, it’s nice to see Tesla continuing to develop autos that are bringing attention to the electric/zero emissions market, and spurring interest (and action) from larger companies. Well, except Ford. You know how they are.

Source: Gizmag.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Introducing the Tesla Model S

The Th!nk city should be available for sale by the end of next year. It offers an affordable (and adorable!) option for drivers who want to seriously cut their emissions while still providing the range and speed drivers can’t find in today’s EVs.

Source: Wired

Images: Th!nk

Post from: EveryJoe

110 – 65 – 25? Th!nk’s Winning Combination

Tesla’s got a fight on their hands now that luxury car design genius Pininfarina, creators of the Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati Granturismo, joins forces with the Bolloré Group to create a new electric car.

The French-based Bolloré Group developed a high-performance lithium metal polymer battery used in the BlueCar prototype. The car is planned to travel 155 miles per charge, with seating for four, and a top speed of 80 miles per hour.

They say the Pininfarina auto will be ready by 2009, and begin leasing in Europe, the US and Japan starting around $700 a month.

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL2138653520071221
http://jalopnik.com/336642/pininfarina-and-french-company-to-develop-electric-car http://news.monstersandcritics.com/business/news/article_1382568.php/French_Italian_companies_to_develop_all-electric_car http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/10/06/video-french-electric-la-bluecar-in-action/

Post from: EveryJoe

Pininfarina and Bolloré Group to Release Electric by 2009

However, not all electric cars are built this way. Newcomers – specifically the Aptera and the Volt – as well as older models like Toyota’s Rav4EV, were roadworthy as passenger vehicles, not just as cycles. They are true Electric Cars … as some EVs demand they are “vehicles” specifically to avoid this confusion. Is it enough? As they gain in popularity, I think – personally – some consumers will need to have this pointed out to them. It isn’t enough to look a little different, they actually need to be told “this is not a car, and isn’t built to the same standards.”

It’s important to distinguish between different models when considering safety features. Just because something passes federal safety standards doesn’t mean it’s passed safety standards for traditional cars. Just as importantly, being “all electric” doesn’t mean it falls below those standards either.

My favorite electric car that puts safety first?

The Aptera.

From the website …

Knowing the public perception of motorcycle safety, we made the decision to make safety a fundamental part of the design of our vehicles. For example, the Typ-1 roof is designed to EXCEED rollover strength requirements spelled out in FMVSS 216 for passenger vehicles. The doors EXCEED the strength requirement spelled out in FMVSS 214. We decided not just to meet many of the specs for passenger vehicles, which are set above and beyond the requirements for motorcycles, but we chose to exceed them whenever possible. Just a few of the many parts of the safety systems on the Typ-1 are airbag-in seatbelt technology, a front subframe and a firewall that redirect energy around the occupants.

How much is this costing? Less than $30,000.

Granted, people drive bikes and motorcycles on roadways every day without sacrificing their choice for the sake of improved safety features, but they don’t have a false sense of security either. NEVs and low-speed EVs have contributed to the advancement of the electric car, but when evaluating whether to buy one or not, we need to see each of them for what they truly offer.

Post from: EveryJoe

A word on EV safety

He blogged about his impending doom here.
Hey, I have a fifth grade niece, so I feel for him. Kids in that age bracket can be vicious and they can smell BS a mile away. They’re also the first ones to point out (yes, even worse than the press) why what you’re planning won’t ever work … NEVER … and they don’t even care if they’re right. lol

Best of luck Mr. Agassi!

If you don’t know who this guy is, well, shame on me. Shai Agassi is the man who has vowed to make battery-operated electric cars an accessible option by developing a network of charging stations. Not only that, he raised $200 Million to make it happen. :D See more at his company website, Project Better Place.

Post from: EveryJoe

San Jose Students to Meet Shai Agassi Today

From ABQJournal …

Dennis Snyder, president and general manager of Rich Ford, said, “We looked at a number of electric vehicles and felt that the Miles cars are high-quality automobiles that offer enough power and range to meet fleet buyers’ needs. Overall, it seems like a great fit for our market.”

Post from: EveryJoe

Miles electric cars hit Albuquerque, New Mexico

A wave of electric dreams are coming out of the Tokyo Auto Show. How many will continue to maturity is the big question. That, and why? Why now? Did Toyota kick people into eco-mode with the popularity of the Prius? Have oil prices finally lead people away from gasoline? What is the motivation behind this new great race … and when will someone make a model I can use AND afford??

Mitsubishi, and Nissan and Renault announce electric cars to debut by 2010.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mitsubishi, Nissan, Renault develop their own electric cars