Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Manufacturing/Plants, Transportation Alternatives, American Electric Vehicle
The Kurrent is Kute but will it Konnect with Konsumers?
Is the sudden interest in neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV) good for EV movement? Are they helping advance the technology needed to introduce mainstream consumers to EVs? Is there really a strong market for $10,000 or $15,000 grocery getters and industrial-yard security cruisers? Those are questions the Kurrent, an absolutely adorable NEV that will be built by American Electric Vehicles in Michigan, will answer in the next few years. Company president Scott Thornton says he'll hire 50 to 70 employees for the new venture. The problem with NEVs is that laws prevent them from operating on roads with speed limits faster than 35 mph, and they're allowed to run only 25 mph top speed. Experts disagree on the size of the market potential. Thornton is looking at 15,000 a year. The president of GEM, another NEV manufacturer owned by DaimlerChrysler, says about half that. Other experts say NEVs face considerable competition from less expensive golf carts. Thornton is counting on innovation and marketing. He sees solar panels, electric boats and scooters as a way to grow the company. Right now he's hoping to ramp up to 500 a month by next year.
[Source: Howard Lovy / Oakland Business Review]
UPDATE: Read AutoblogGreen's interview with Thornton here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter 3:48PM (12/15/2006)
To me, these kinds of small EVs are not significantly more functional than a bicycle. 25mph top speed, short range, little luggage space.
With $10k you could buy a whole fleet of bikes and all of the luggage carrying accessories you'd ever want.
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Darin 5:55PM (12/15/2006)
I agree with Peter. I tend to bike for local trips, 3 seasons out of the year. Unfortunately, cycling doesn't appeal to the majority of the driving-age population (in North America at least).
Proof of that can be found in the city where I live: owing to its small size, cycling is a reasonable transportation option (the city dimensions are only about 7x10 km on a map). Yet it's not common.
NEVs could probably work for a lot of local 2-car (and some of the 1-car) households, for the people who insist on driving for short trips.
But I doubt they will ever catch on for urban driving unless...
- their purchase price is significantly less than the cheapest ICE runabouts (they're not);
- the price of gas/diesel rises high enough that operating costs favour small EVs over small cars (including battery replacement, which vendors rarely mention when touting their vehicles' "low" operating costs);
- people suddenly decide that vehicle emissions are a key purchasing decision;
- governments enact legislation that tilts the financial balance in favour of EVs (e.g. London, England's congestion charge & parking exemptions).
Ironically, NEVs are not yet even a legal option in my province (Ontario). So a friend and I are actually converting an old Metro into a cheap BEV runabout so ICE-less local trips, protected from the weather, are an option.
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Bill Connell 8:56PM (12/22/2006)
I imagine that the potential market is immense. The thinking is not to replace the automobile on the Interstate. The idea is to provide a compelling, efficient vehicle for use on college campuses, in planned communities, in retirement developments, and in industrial settings. I say, go get 'em, Kurrent!
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Starmond 2:15AM (5/09/2007)
It is the beginning of a revolution to save our planet from our selves. It is a must that we stop using toxic combustible fuels and the purchaser of an electric car is a pioneer in the effort to enhance the longevity of our species upon this sickened planet. We must enter a new Renaissance period if we are going evolve as both consumers and concerned citizens. To buy new innovative technology and approach electric, solar and other unspoken energy is just as important to our social evolutionary process of humans as was the beginning of the civil rights movement.
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Byron Thomas 3:47PM (5/15/2007)
Posts on this thread reflect the real issues about electric cars. First, we dont need electric cars with 300hp motors that can go 200 miles on a charge. In American, I foresee electric cars as the "2nd car", dad drive's an F150 to the construction site, and mom pops in the NEV to get milk and pickup JR after school. Or mom drives a RAV4 and dad has a futuristic enclosed electric trike to get downtown to the office. NEV 2nd car only needs a 10 to 30 mile range (or plug it in at work or school or the mall) so we save on weight and battery costs. Second NEV's need "decent acceleration" and go to 35mph not 25; thats coming. And of course, keep the cost below $10,000. (heck, the Chinese wholesale price of these are $2500 for the "3wheelers" to $5000 for the Gem copycats, plenty of room for profit, quality improvements, and faster acceleration). Thanks.
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Mike Netter 6:52AM (5/29/2007)
I like the idea of a Kurrent.... It's responsible, saving, and the right thing to do....
I will unfortunately have to wait for the four door or larger version; I will need transport for children and a baby seat cannot be put in the front seat. Thanks for taking the lead for Michigan.... Our auto companies have failed us here and don't seem to want the electric's.........
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Michael Travaline 10:23AM (6/02/2007)
If allowed on Toronto, Ontario, Canada City streets I would purchase one today...as a senior on a meager fixed income this would be a perfect fit for my transportation needs, less expensive to operate plus none polluting. I am sure that I will end-up replacing my 91 olds with an electric scooter (realizing it limits transportation to shorter distances on nice days) before a NEV is allowed on Canadian Streets. Politicians and Environmental activists Targets do not exceed rhetoric; else we would be able to purchase and operate economical EV on our city streets.
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Robert Thomas 7:58PM (6/24/2007)
I have been driving a GEM for the last 3 years and it's worked out great. It’s fun to just hope in and off you go. I like the Kurrent because of the styling. I’m thinking very seriously about buying one.
I will say that lead acid batteries take a little getting use to. If you run them all the way down you can damage them. It’s best to keep them charged up as much as you can so I plug in after every use.
Robert
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Dwayne 5:44PM (8/10/2007)
i agree that electric vehicles are a good way to go and that they shouldn't be for interstate use... at least not yet, but any vehicle no matter what, should be able to handle at least 50mph to keep up with modern traffic. otherwise they will be doomed to malls and security use. i would have one now if it could do that and be able to be a 4 passenger grocery carrying work machine. as for charging batteries a solar panel top for continuous charging would take care of that as well as the home charger. truth being until speed increases and better battery life and price is achieved as well as a more family friendly they will not sell as well. and as for as a bicycle goes, good exercise but i get wet when it rains and it doesn't hold a lot of groceries.
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Jay 3:12PM (11/06/2007)
Hi All and Robert:
I live in Baltimore.
I flew to Seattle to'test drive' the Kurrent.
I purchased it.
Coming to my house, soon.
best, Jay
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Tom Kelly 6:44PM (11/28/2007)
We've been driving the Kurrent in Berkeley since July 2007. It's a blast! Everytime we get in it, it feels like we're in a parade.
Not only that, we rarely use our gas guzzling Corolla anymore. Between the Kurrent, our bikes, public transportation, and the solar cells that put the juice in our batteries, we're healthier, richer, and reducing our carbon output. What's not to like?
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