ZENN Car
|
Submitted by bob on Wed, 20/02/2008 - 4:34pm.
|
|
|
Posts: 112
Joined: 26-10-2006 |
A letter I wrote to Transport Canada: After researching and looking at electric cars for my short commuting distance, I found the ZENN car. I have since found that I cannot buy and use this Canadian product in Canada and that Transport Canada is looking at amending current regulations that would forbid this vehicles use in Canada. (Reference: Canada Gazette Vol. 141, No. 51 — December 22, 2007, Regulations Amending the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (Low-speed Vehicles)). Send comments here: Matthew Coons, Senior Regulatory Development See pierre's blog here: http://www.ourfernie.com/blogs/canada-kills-electric-car |
|
Joined: 26-10-2006
Out of Office AutoReply: Zenn car Inbox X
Coons, Matthew to me
show details 4:37 PM (1 hour ago)
Reply
I will be away from the office from Feb. 14 through Feb. 22, 2008
If you are commenting on the proposed LSV amendment, your comments will be considered prior to any final amendment being published in the Canada Gazette Part 11. Please note that the proposed amendments do not preclude the provinces/territories from legislating use of these vehicles, but rather clarify the intent of why the class was created.
For any urgent matters, please contact Dan Davis at 613-998-1956.
For media related questions, please call 613-993-0055.
So it looks like we must lobby the Provincial Govt.
Joined: 17-06-2007
Electric cars stalled in Canada
Published: March 16, 2008
TORONTO, March 16 (UPI) -- A Toronto manufacturer alleges the government is using regulations to block sales of its electric cars in Canada.
National Canadian regulators dragged their feet before finally requiring provincial approval for the electric cars built by ZENN Motor Co. and Transport Canada has also proposed language for low-speed cars that suggests they may be unsafe, Zenn founder Ian Clifford alleges. That's tantamount to a conspiracy by government officials, he told the Canwest News Service.
"I'm mystified," the company's chief executive officer said. "I've heard certain bureaucrats at Transport Canada, say to me, if it's the last thing they do, they're going to keep low-speed vehicles off the road."
Federal officials have denied any wrongdoing, Canwest reported.
Joined: 25-08-2006
It's weird how Ontario's economy is running into difficulties due to their manufacturing sector taking a big hit - (mainly automotive industry, I hear).
The government should be pumping tax credits and tax breaks into helping these ZENNs get built - tweak the factories a bit to match the ZENN schematics, or at least the frames or something.
Instead, we get constant obstruction blocking our second industrial revolution. The government needs an enema.
Joined: 25-08-2006
Rick Mercer did a segment on this car. It sounds like they are legal in BC. (The only province so far). They also say it's only $12,000! I wanna get one.
Joined: 15-06-2007
This sounds too good to be true... an electric car that recharges in about the time it takes to fill a gas tank. No doubt it will cost a whole lot more than the current model.
ZENN Plans Highway Capable Electric Car
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 28, 2008) - ZENN Motor Company Inc. held its Annual Meeting at which time management updated shareholders with Company progress in 2007 and detailed future plans for EEStor implementation including specifications around a highway capable, fully electric cityZENN!
ZENN Motor Company's business will expand to include highway capable vehicles and international markets:
Target Launch of the cityZENN, powered by EEStor: Fall 2009
The cityZENN is planned to be a fully certified, highway capable vehicle with a top speed of 125 KPH/ 80 MPH and a range or 400 kilometres/250 miles. Powered by EEStor, the cityZENN will be rechargeable in less than 5 minutes, feature operating costs 1/10th of a typical internal combustion engine vehicle and be 100% emission-free! The Zero-Emission, No-Noise cityZENN will be designed to meet the transportation requirements of a large percentage of drivers worldwide.
"EEStor's game-changing energy storage technology is in the advanced stages of commercialization", stated Ian Clifford, Chief Executive Officer. "EEStor has publicly committed to commercialization in 2008 and their first production line will be used to supply ZENN Motor Company."
ZENN Motor Company also plans to expand its low-speed product lineup for the 2009 model year with a four-passenger and a utility LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle). Both products will dramatically increase ZMC's available target audience and potential market for LSVs.
The Company also plans to work with strategic OEMs to offer a ZENNergy drivetrain, powered by EEStor, in various vehicle platforms as ZENN branded vehicles. ZENNergy drive systems will also be developed for the retrofitting and conversion of existing internal combustion vehicles to electric drive. The Company's initial target for these retrofit kits will be large, high-profile fleet opportunities.
In order to capitalize on all future growth opportunities, the team has been diligently working on building awareness of the ZENN brand - with overwhelming success. ZENN Motor Company has garnered an impressive amount of international media coverage, and it is clear from both its customers and retailers that the Zero-Emission, No-Noise message resonates clearly with its target market. The current ZENN LSV is recognized as a leading, cost-effective, zero emission vehicle for urban travel.
The team has been assessing the relative merit and opportunities of different key markets globally and is defining the planned roll-out sequence including discussions with established dealer networks in major markets around the world.
The growing electric vehicle market represents a dynamic, truly global opportunity and ZENN Motor Company is excited to be a key player. In addition to the Company's exclusive technology agreement with EEStor for new vehicles up to 1400 kg (curb weight), and the global rights to ALL retrofit conversions of existing internal combustion vehicles to electric, the Company is also an equity investor in EEStor. EEStor's energy storage technology is THE key enabler of many clean technologies today: renewable energy; grid load-leveling; consumer electronics and security applications are ALL looking for a 'better battery.' EEStor is the enabler.
"I founded ZENN Motor Company with the vision of it becoming the global leader in zero emission vehicles, and that vision is being made a reality by the entire team at ZENN Motor Company and our energy storage partner, EEStor," stated Ian Clifford, Chief Executive Officer. "We have laid the foundation of a sustainable business with explosive growth opportunities. We are well-positioned to capitalize on the global imperative for zero-emission vehicles."
Joined: 15-09-2008
I sure wish they would sell these cars in Manitoba Canada. Right now the gas is $1.47.9 a litre which is ridiculous. If they would put these cars on the road people could save so much money which could be put back into the economy not to mention saving the environment. If the Government would remove its head and breathe some air......they would realize that these cars are the future and are the same class for safety as motorcycles, bicycles and scooters which are all on our city streets !
You would think when we are in the midst of an election one of them would be trying to promote saving environment and selling a car that is CANADIAN MADE!!!
Joined: 15-06-2007
The ZENN Will Make Its Canadian Debut on Saturday, October 4th, 2008 in Saint-Jerome, Quebec
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Sep 16, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- ZENN Motor Company Inc. ("ZMC" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the Canadian debut of its all-electric ZENN in the province of Quebec. Following the announcement by Transport Minister Julie Boulet of a three year province-wide pilot project enabling the sale of low-speed vehicles (LSVs), ZMC has obtained a Retailer license to enable direct customer sales from its factory in Saint-Jerome, Quebec.
To celebrate its Canadian debut, ZENN Motor Company is hosting a launch event for the made-in-Quebec, zero-emission, no-noise ZENN at its Saint-Jerome manufacturing facility on Saturday, October 4th. All prospective consumers who signed up for ZMC's waiting list via its website will be invited to test drive the ZENN, meet ZMC officials and enjoy the momentous event of bringing the first commercial electric low-speed vehicles to the Canadian market. This launch event will mark the first day of sales operations and the Company will be taking orders and deposits on a first-come, first-served basis for the first ZENN deliveries in Canada.
"The all-electric ZENN is proudly manufactured in Quebec and it is certainly fitting that its Canadian debut is in this highly progressive province that is committed to supporting zero emission transportation solutions," stated Ian Clifford, CEO of ZENN Motor Company. "This represents an exciting milestone for ZMC as this is the first time we can actively market our vehicle at home where the car is produced."
ZENN Motor Company plans to market the ZENN through a unique factory-direct approach. Retail operations for ZENN Motor Company will be based in Saint-Jerome and will offer customers the opportunity to not only see first-hand how their new vehicle will be constructed, but to also meet the people who will be building their ZENN.
The ZENN is a fully featured all-electric low-speed vehicle that offers consumers a guilt-free driving experience. The ZENN represents everything good about personal transportation: it's stylish, fun and socially responsible. The ZENN cruises at a federally regulated top speed of 40 km/h and can travel on roads with posted speed limits of 50 km/h. Featuring generous seating for two plus 13 cubic feet of storage, the ZENN is perfect for those short local trips to pick up groceries, drop off dry cleaning or rent a movie The ZENN provides a range of 50-80 kilometres per charge and 'topping up the tank' is as easy as plugging in your cell phone. The cost of driving a ZENN is less than 2 cents per kilometre and as little as four hours of charging will provide 80% capacity from a completely 'empty'tank'. The ZENN has a retail price in Quebec of $16,900.
The ZENN will be officially launched at the Company's manufacturing facility at 921 Chemin de la Riviere du Nord, in Saint-Jerome, on Saturday, October 4th at 11:00am. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will commence promptly at 11:30am and interested consumers who would like to attend and test drive a ZENN are asked to register by clicking on the following link:
http://guest.cvent.com/i.aspx?1Q,M3,301b6f7e-3cbc-480a-a4b6-6ec9bf2c4a7d
Joined: 15-06-2007
Vancouver poised to allow electric cars
Canwest News Service
Published: Monday, September 29, 2008
VANCOUVER -- The electric-car movement is gaining momentum in Canada, with Vancouver set to become the first major Canadian city to allow the zero-emission vehicles on its streets.
If the bylaw to allow low-speed electric vehicles is passed by city council this week, Vancouver will become the second city in the country to adopt the little green cars.
The first to make it legal for the cars to travel on its roads was Oak Bay, a bedroom community of Victoria, which recently passed a bylaw.
"This is great -- it's a movement," said Don Chandler, president of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association. "It's been like the perfect storm. So much is happening at all levels."
The Vancouver bylaw, if passed on Tuesday, will allow low-speed electric vehicles to travel on any city street with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h or lower.
Ontario and Quebec currently have a pilot program to consider wider use of the cars, also known as "neighbourhood electric vehicles."
Joined: 10-06-2007
we should get Fernie to make the same bylaw, Fernie is the perfect place for it, we should make this part of the election platform for being the Mayor of Fernie
Joined: 15-06-2007
B.C. should allow low speed vehicles on all streets
Craig McInnes, Vancouver Sun
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Somewhere in Ottawa, officials with Transport Canada are gnashing their teeth in frustration today.
Their campaign to keep low-speed electric vehicles off the road suffered a setback in Vancouver this week.
Low-speed electric vehicles, also known as LSVs, LSEVs or neighborhood zero-emission vehicles, are light, plug-in cars and trucks that have been in use in the U.S. and other countries for more than a decade. They are not designed to head out on the highway. They are, however, the only kind of electric car you can buy here now.
We have been building them in Canada for several years, but effectively keeping them off the roads here despite the promise they hold as a much greener alternative to the automobile for short runs around town.
The vote by city councillors on Tuesday night to allow LSVs to mingle with ordinary traffic on streets with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less makes Vancouver the first major municipality in Canada to give the environmentally friendly vehicles a green light, following similar action by the much smaller Victoria suburb of Oak Bay.
Vancouver will not be the first major city in Canada where these vehicles will be operating, however.
Confused? You're not alone. The confusion stems from the provincial policy on low-speed electric vehicles that seems almost designed to perplex.
While Quebec has launched a three-year pilot project in allowing LSVs to operate on any street in the the province with a speed limit of 50 km/h, the B.C. government in its wisdom abandoned a promise to do the same and instead left the decision up to individual municipalities. That means even with Vancouver's blessing, LSVs will be of limited use to anyone who has to cross into any other municipality that doesn't follow suit.
The province put the brakes on after Transport Canada issued recommendations that LSVs be used only in institutional settings, such as universities or hospital grounds.
It's a curious stance for a provincial government that's supposed to be serious about cutting greenhouse-gas emissions.
Read the full story