Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Lightweight, Th!nk (Think)
Norway electric car sales hit record as Buddy finds buyers
The cheap price of gas may be hurting the sales of some electric vehicles (EVs) in America, but the same can not be said for Norway where gas is only down to $5.18 a gallon. Electric car sales have doubled in the past year, hitting an all-time high in November. As if to punctuate that feat, the opening days of December have seen Norwegian electric company Hafslund take delivery of 10 copies of the Kewet Buddy, bringing that car maker's numbers up to 190 for 2008.
After some false starts the Th!nk City is finally rolling out of the factory doors, contributing greatly to the sales rise. Although they have only moved 111 units so far this year, that number is expected to greatly increase in December. Indeed, the demand should soon outstrip supply as the factory only has the logistics in place currently to build 10 a day. The Oslo dealership sold 19 of the lithium-powered cars last Tuesday alone. Hit the jump for video of a bunch of Buddies boogieing about the town. Thanks to Sindre for the Norwegian help!
Gallery: Kewet Buddy EV
Gallery: Th!nk City
[Source: e24 / Hegnar Online]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kert 9:49AM (12/07/2008)
"Only 111" units? That is significantly more than Tesla has produced, isnt it :)
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jake 1:54PM (12/07/2008)
Tesla is at 118 already in terms of production(though some are still sitting in the garage awaiting delivery).
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/tesla-roadster/1624-production-status-17.html
Though of course it's hardly a fair comparison between a cheaper higher volume car like the Th!nk and the Roadster, which is intended for lower volume production.
oollyoumn 10:21AM (12/07/2008)
I would love to have an EV. An NEV would not cut it since my daily drive is 40 miles each way. I'm considering a electric cycle, but all I have found can not make 40 miles at 70mph.
If anyone knows of an EV that can manage 50 miles on a charge in a variety of temperatures, and also maintain at least 55mph, please let me know.
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GoodCheer 10:13AM (12/08/2008)
ACPropulsion eBox
Not quite as much as a Tesla (especially if you find a good used Scion with a blown motor or something).
nads 10:59AM (12/07/2008)
Anyone else notice that ABG is going hard with this myth that electric sales are down in the US? This is a flat out distortion and lie.
From DailyTech, which ABG is using as a source to push their baseless lie that gas prices are the reason electrics are down:
DailyTech:
"MCEV, the largest electric car dealer in the Pacific Northwest, has seen sales decline to 1-2 vehicles a month, down 80% from earlier this year. Buzz Duell, General Manager of MCEV, blames not only gas prices, but the economy as a whole. "No one wants to spend money right now", he says. Not only are individual buyers cutting back, but corporate and government sales -- which make up a large percentage of MCEV's revenue -- are also being impacted."
...
"Sales of traditional cars have also declined, but not as sharply. According to tracking company Autodata, sales are down 37 period from the same period last year."
http://www.dailytech.com/Electric+Car+Sales+in+Freefall+Industry+Risks+Collapse/article13601.htm
Now, here is THE ONLY PART of the article that even references low gas prices says:
"Larry Shriner, Chief Financial Officer of Zenn Motors, an electric car manufacturer based in Canada, says government "needs to get engaged to give the industry some momentum". Shriner doesn't necessarily favor gas price supports, but he says government needs to ensure "people stay focused" on the benefits of electric car technology."
Nowhere in the article is there a suggestion that the primary reason for the downturn is low gas prices. Its a flat out lie to suggest this as the primary reason. In fact, the article highlights the economic downturn is causing corporations and the government (who the non-highway speed electrics are marketed toward) to cut back on spending. Gee do ya think that if corporations laid off $1.2MILLION workers over the last 3 months, they're still going to go out and buy a Zebra?
We know you guys are dead set against any federal push for electrics but to lie to readers is outrageous and pathetic.
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Domenick Yoney 5:47AM (12/08/2008)
There have been disappointing EV sales of late for some manufacturers. As far as I know there haven't been any extensive surveys done examining the cause or extent of the situation. so whether it's all down to gas prices is not necessarily clear which is why I used the modifier "may". Obviously the downturn in the economy could more to blame. I didn't mention specifically the economy in this article because pinning the exact reason for slow EV sales wasn't the point of my story. I only mention gas because the prices in Norway are still relatively high and they're EV sales are doing just fine. Some EV companies in America are still doing fine as are conversions.
Also, as far as I know, there is no ABG policy of being "dead set against any federal push for electrics". Personally, I think the government has an important role to play encouraging the use of emission free vehicles as well as renewable sources of energy and developing energy storage capacity.
Richard 11:26AM (12/07/2008)
Looks like there's plenty of room on that roof to put a solar panel and run the heater. Could recharge it a little as I assume the lightness of the car needs less energy to make it go.
I think that low gas prices are a factor in making people wait for a breakthrough high efficiency vehicle. Since it's now affordable again to drive your gas guzzler, it doesn't make sense to go out and buy an electric car. That's what ABG is saying. You needn't read a sole source article to see this, you just need to look at Europe. Their, still, high gas prices aren't making people buy regular fueled cars.
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nads 12:39PM (12/07/2008)
Richard, ABG is saying low gas prices are the CAUSE for lower sales in electrics...where there is no evidence to support it, and it is not even suggested in the original article they used to make this claim.
The fact is those ZAP electric sales are down because their primary buyers (corporations) are making cuts. To take that and then suggest (without evidence) that its due to low gas prices is a distortion and lie, though its interesting that this distortion plays into arguments made by other ABG writers here (like Sam Abuelsamid) who have suggested that we should set a minimum higher price for gas while NOT mandating EVs in return for bailout money. To deliberately mislead readers for the purpose of making them buy into your flawed arguments is, as I said before, outrageous and pathetic, in addition to being unethical.
Stan Wellaway 11:40AM (12/07/2008)
oollyoumn - the Smith Ampere does 70mph, and over 100 miles between charges. As long as you don't mind it being a van. See http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com
Only rhd at present, but lhd version coming to the USA at easter - with a Ford badge on the nose..
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oollyoumn 12:39PM (12/07/2008)
Thank you! The spec are thin, for example, while it may be able to do 70mph and a "top range" of 100mile, it is not clear if it can go 100miles at 70mph (assuming their mile is 5280ft).
A van is overkill for my needs, but I will definitely keep an eye on this one.
Stan Wellaway 8:43PM (12/07/2008)
I think a lot more detail of the Smith Ampere will be forthcoming when Ford commence promoting it in the USA in March.
Sindre Berg 2:02PM (12/07/2008)
Oollyoumn: Have you read about the Think ? It is not a NEV, it has a range of 180km, can do 65mph and it's safetywise as a normal small car. Most cars do get reduced range if you run them at high speeds for a long time.
Sindre
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oollyoumn 6:26PM (12/07/2008)
I have read about the TH!NK many items since before Ford owned them. I believe you are referring to the City. This is a car that is high on my list, but it is not clear exactly when it will be available in the US.
Joe B. 1:37PM (12/08/2008)
Europe is ahead of the U.S. in EV car adoption. They have the right policies to encourage EV consumption. Carbon tax on car emissions, tax free toll roads and free parking for EVs, and high gas taxes are contributing to EV sales.
There is no doubt EV sales will increase. The dip in EV sales in the last month may have to do more with financing than gas prices. There are high gas taxes in Europe. Gas in Europe is significantly more than in the U.S.
Another reason for the dip in EV sales may also have to do with consumers having more choice. The Th!nk City, for example, has been paraded around London but it is not available yet. The City is the only crash tested car to past European and U.S. standards. Would you purchase an existing EV option or wait for a City if you valued safety?
The Th!nk Ox (pronounced ooooh-x) is the car that will generate a lot of excitement in my opinion.
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nothanks 5:35PM (12/08/2008)
Norway's Th!nk City only began rolling off the assembly line for sale in late November. Kinda makes you look silly when you imply they have been rolling off all year.
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Robin Kidney 10:18AM (2/12/2009)
Why aren't there any Kewet Buddies imported in the U.S.?
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Domenick Yoney 10:52AM (2/12/2009)
They would have to be restricted to 25 mph in most states unless they could pass crash tests.
gogo 6:04AM (3/23/2009)
it`s a good start.maybe you´d like a better start if the cars apears a litle bit more atractive.they were born in stormy night or what?
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