South Korean EV Company to Open Two Production and Distribution Facilities in Pennsylvania
25 September 2009
South Korea-based CT&T Co. Ltd., intends to open two production and distribution facilities in Pennsylvania. (Earlier post.) Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell made the announcement at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
CT&T makes low- and mid-speed, short-distance neighborhood electric vehicles that pass crash tests required for regular passenger cars. The vehicles sell for about $12,000.
As the demand for electric vehicles grows, the Governor said, companies and universities like CMU will be called upon to develop more efficient and economical batteries, while the nation’s electrical infrastructure will need to be upgraded to accommodate vehicles in need of a recharge.
The company is focusing on sites on the Delaware River in Philadelphia for its initial Pennsylvania location. Company executives visited five prospective sites in the Pittsburgh region yesterday, including two within the city. While in Pittsburgh, CT&T executives also met with experts in battery and fuel technology from Carnegie Mellon University, which is engaged in a range of research initiatives to support the growth and development of electric vehicle technology.
CT&T has been exporting to China, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and the United States since 2005. The company says cities with large municipal fleets offer a considerable initial market opportunity, with the electric car as a low-cost option for parking authorities, parks and recreation departments, and similar agencies with short-distance, low-speed vehicle needs. CT&T has a contract to supply 4,000 neighborhood electric vehicles to California police organizations, which will use them as downtown parking supervision vehicles.
Good news for Pennsylvania and the NEW e-CAR industry in USA. Starting with a limited performance, low cost BEVs, is the way (the first step) to develop future electrified vehicles mass production.
BEVs size and performance will grow as the technology matures, specially improved on-board e-storage units. We did not get 250 kph, v-8, eight speed automatic transmission, +++ ICE vehicles in the first decade.
City parking tickets agents do not need a 6000+ lbs Hummer. These very small, low cost e-units would do the job at much lower cost and without GHG. Police forces could also use those small BEVs to mount automated high precision radar/cameras, to detect offenders and people that have not paid their license and tickets. Similarly equipped police cars have captured over 1000 offenders an hour, at strategic locations (close to major bridges etc) in our city. At an average of $450 per offender, the BEV + radar + automated camera equipment are all paid for within one week. In cities where the police force do not want to cooperate, an outside contrator, with special agents, can easily be mandated to do it. Every large city could use up to 1000 small BEVs so equipped. Everybody would benefit.
Posted by: HarveyD | 25 September 2009 at 10:06 AM
This is more like it. The capital to afford federal crash tests, low $12,000 entry price, and highway speed capable as better batteries are released.
Posted by: kelly | 25 September 2009 at 03:13 PM
France's Bolloré electric 2010 Bluecar will use Pinifarina's BO 4-door sub-compact units. This beautiful small BEV will have 250 Km e-range per charge and lease for 330 Euro/month, starting in March 2010. Batteries are made by Bolloré. Only about 1000 of the current 6500 applictions will be met by end of 2010.
One more step towards vehicle electrification.
Posted by: HarveyD | 26 September 2009 at 10:02 AM
At least for 12,000 you could tie a Honda EU1000is generator unit onto them. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 29 September 2009 at 02:30 AM
The nations electrical infrastructure will not have to be upgraded at all for millions of such vehicles. A simple timer controlled plug will be enough to delay charging until cheap power is available. FireFly batteries are almost adequate for such vehicles. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 29 September 2009 at 02:36 AM