Classic Mini Moke is an EV for the Austin Powers Set

The electrification of classic Austin Mini models continues with the simple, ruggedly-built Moke. Thanks to the good people at Moke America- and some cheap battery technology from China- the classic, paramilitary mini is making a zero-emission comeback!

Moke America starts with the classic Mini design been in production (off and on) since 1964, but stuffs it full of a 95 Nm three-phase electric motor and lithium batteries. The resulting power train is good for a 25 MPH top speed and a ninety mile (optional) range, with an impressive (probably?) 60% claimed maximum gradeability.

Confession: I’m not 100% sure what gradeability is, and I’m not Googling it.

In any event, the 25 MPH should get your attention here, because it’s what enables the Moke as a Low Speed Vehicle, or LSV. LSVs like the electric GEM (classified as an NEV, in some states- for Neighborhood Electric Vehicle), are allowed on public roads but don’t have to adhere to the same strict emissions and safety standards that “regular” cars and autocycles have to.

Speaking of autocycles, Moke America is asking for early adopters to plunk down some pretty heavy deposits on their LSV, despite not listing any dealers or showing pictures of too many finished cars. That part of this should feel pretty familiar to anyone who’s been following the ongoing trials and tribulations of the
saps good people who put deposits in on Elio Motors’ autocycle. With that in mind, maybe wait until you can actually visit a dealer and take an electric Moke out for a test drive before plunking down more than $15,000 on one.

Or, you know, do what you want. You’re an adult. If you do decide to put a deposit down on one of these electric Mokes, definitely scroll down to the comments section and tell us about all about that choice.

Source | Images: Moke America, via Autoblog.

This weekend, someone just might buy the 100,000th electric car in the US

It's tough to know for sure how many plug-in vehicles have been sold throughout the US, but if anyone has been keeping count, it's the fine folks at Plug In America. And, according to them, somewhere in America this weekend, maybe, someone will buy the 100,000th electric car. PIA says it expects the "historic milestone" to happen by Monday, May 20, 2013.

This isn't counting golf carts or GEMs or any of the old-school EVs, things like the EV1 or the first-generation RAV4 EVs. No, PIA is only tracking vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt and Tesla Model S that have come along in the last two years or so. We know Nissan has sold over 25,000 Leafs in the USand the Volt has sold more than 36,000 as of the end of April. That leaves 40,000 more from the likes of Tesla, Fisker, Ford and all the others we write about all day. PIA is promoting the event with the #PIA100K hashtag and notes that plug-in vehicles are approaching 48 percent annual growth, so the next 100,000 can't be too far away.

Show full PR text

Polaris to buy Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM) from Chrysler

The GEM e2 two-passenger vehicle features six 12-volt flooded electrolyte batteries and a range of up to 35 miles on a charge. Click to enlarge.

Polaris Industries Inc. will acquire low-speed electric vehicle manufacturer Global Electric Motorcars LLC (GEM), a wholly-owned Fargo, N.D.-based subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC.

GEM is a recognized leader within the low-speed vehicle market, with approximately $30 million in sales during the 2010 calendar year. Since the company was established in 1998, it has placed more than 45,000 electric-powered vehicles on the road worldwide. GEM has developed business-to-business sales expertise within the fleet and government vehicle markets, and has core competencies in make-to-order vehicle fulfillment and mobile service support.

GEM cars are used by local, state and national government agencies, resorts, master-planned communities, universities, medical and corporate campuses, as well as by sports teams, taxi-shuttle services and individual consumers.

The six GEM passenger and utility models are legal on most streets with posted speeds of 35 mph or less. GEM cars are eligible for incentives and tax credits from clean-air districts and other governmental agencies. To date, GEM cars have driven more than 450 million emission-free miles.

GEM provides Polaris with an established position in the low-emission small vehicle market and supports Polaris’ strategy of penetrating on-road market segments poised for growth. We are excited about the outlook for growth within this market space, and are looking forward to developing even stronger growth prospects for the GEM business.

—Scott Wine, Polaris chief executive officer

With annual 2010 sales of US$1.991 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris RANGER Side X Side vehicles, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use and has recently introduced a new on-road electric powered neighborhood vehicle.

The agreement to acquire GEM will officially close within the next 60 days once Polaris secures the required state sales certifications to sell GEM products. During this interim period, since Polaris will not yet have officially acquired GEM, operations will proceed as usual and Polaris will continue to learn and understand the GEM business through information exchange.

Following this interim period, Polaris will be in a position to outline specific plans for the GEM business.

Source: Green Car Congress