Electric Car Blogging

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Legislation and Policy, Zap, USA

We recently told you about the Kentucky Senate side-show in which Democrats and Republicans both tried to get legislation started that would make it legal for low-speed vehicles (LSVs) to drive on some roads in the bluegrass state. Now, Governor Steve Beshear has stepped in and signed an executive order that allows LSVs on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less. Why would he do this? To encourage ZAP! to locate a factory there, of course. While a few weeks ago ZAP! had said there were no “formal conversations” about locating a manufacturing facility there, it certainly appears differently now. First clue: ZAP CEO Steve Schneider was on hand for the signing ceremony and took the governor for a spin in a Xebra afterward. Second clue: At that same event, Beshear also announced that state officials will work “hourly and daily” with ZAP!, a local businessmen Larry Cottingham and Randall Waldman, CEO of Integrity Manufacturing of Bullitt County to develop an incentive package to secure the building of the plant in Kentucky. Hit the jump for lots more news plus a bonus video.

[Source: McClatchy / Business First / Courier-Journal]

Continue reading Kentucky governor allows LSVs in hopes of luring ZAP! Alias factory

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Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Transportation Alternatives, China

To help China with its goal of hosting a “green olympics” the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has donated four lithium ion battery-powered buses for the effort. That brings the total number of electric buses in the Olympic fleet to 50. They are said to be able to carry 80 people at a time at speeds of up to 50 mph.and have a range of about 80 miles with the air conditioning engaged.The electric buses will use a large station during the games for parking and transfers as well as maintenance and battery charging. No word was given of the recharge times although we estimate the battery packs themselves to hold 130Kwh of energy.

The official buses are painted blue and green with the Olympic logo and will shuttle athletes between the Olympic Village and the Olympic Sports Venues. After the two weeks of athletic contests are completed the vehicles will officially enter the Beijing transportation system where they can officially carry people quietly about the city for (hopefully) years to come.

[Source: Gasgoo / UNDP China]

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