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Two Kandi Pure Electric Vehicle Models Are Included in Shanghai’s Subsidy Policy

October 13, 2014 in Car sharing, China, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Politics

JINHUA, China – Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “Kandi”) (Nasdaq: KNDI ), today announced that the Shanghai’s local subsidy policy for renewable energy vehicles was released by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information after China’s National Day Holiday Week.

Two Kandi Pure Electric Vehicle Models Are Included in Shanghai’s Subsidy Policy for Renewable Energy Vehicles Image courtesy of Kandi Technologies

Two Kandi Pure Electric Vehicle Models Are Included in Shanghai’s Subsidy Policy for Renewable Energy Vehicles
Image courtesy of Kandi Technologies

There are three vehicle models chosen, two of which are Kandi’s SMA7000BEV and SMA7001BEV models. As a result, the purchaser of these two models in Shanghai will be qualified to receive both national and local subsidies. Additionally, these two vehicle models also qualify for free license plates in Shanghai. The license plates in Shanghai are auctioned to the public at an averaged price between RMB 70,000.00 to RMB 80,000.00 (USD 11,410.00 to USD 13,040.00) per license plate.

Mr. Hu Xiaoming, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kandi Technologies commented, “The approval of Shanghai’s subsidy policy will provide the incentive to further promote the purchase and use of electric vehicles. At Present, the service company ZuoZhongYou (Shanghai) Electric Vehicle Service Co., Ltd. has five EV Parking/Charging Stations at Jinshan District in Shanghai and over 400 Kandi Brand pure EVs delivered for both Car-Share Program and Long-term Group Leasing Program.”

“As the Car-Share Program continues to progress within the increasing network infrastructure, we believe this will better fit the residents’ needs and lifestyles while improving the city’s public transport efficiency,” Mr. Hu Concluded.

About the Car-Share Program

Zhejiang ZuoZhongYou Electric Vehicle Service Co., Ltd. (“ZZY”) is the first in market to initiate the public pure EV sharing program (the “Car-Share” Program). Kandi Technologies, through its 50% ownership interest in Kandi Electric Vehicles Group Co., Ltd. (the “JV Company”), indirectly holds a 9.5% interest in ZZY.

Individually driven pure EVs are used in the Car-Share Program. The charging/parking stations which provide a variety of services, such as charging, maintenance, battery recycling, are located at airports, train stations, hotels, business centers, selected residential areas and other places that are typically congested. A network system provides EV rental service to individual drivers in and around the city. It also provides EV maintenance and battery charging to self-service users. Lastly, a tracking system allows the Car-Share Program management to keep a close watch at the status and precise location of each vehicle. ZuoZhongYou (Shanghai) Electric Vehicle Service Co., Ltd. (“ZZY-Shanghai”), a wholly owned subsidiary of ZZY which was formally established on June 16, 2014 in Shanghai.

This Car-Share Program model has been implemented in Hangzhou since the second half of 2013, and has now begun to expand into other major cities in China.

The Group Long-term Lease Project is a lease model that uses enterprise, community or village as a lease unit and each unit leases a minimum of 100 EVs with a group lease term at a minimum of three years.

About Kandi Technologies Group, Inc.

Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: KNDI ), headquartered in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, is engaged in the research and development, manufacturing and sales of various vehicle products. Kandi has established itself as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pure electric vehicle (“EV”) products, Go-Kart vehicles, three-wheel motorcycles and utility vehicles (UTVs), among others. More information can be viewed at its corporate website is http://www.kandivehicle.com.

This article is an EV News Report repost, credit: Kandi Technologies.

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Kandi Technologies Plans to Launch Car-Share Program With Its Brand Electric Vehicles

October 8, 2014 in Car sharing, China, Electric Vehicles, EV News

Image courtesy of Kandi

Image courtesy of Kandi

JINHUA, China – Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “Kandi”) (Nasdaq:KNDI), today (10-2-14) announced that the Kandi-brand SMA7001BEV pure electric vehicle passed the Nanjing local inspection for the licensed plate at the end of September.

ZuoZhongYou (Nanjing) Electric Vehicle Service Co., Ltd. (“ZZY-Nanjing”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Zhejiang ZuoZhongYou Electric Vehicle Service Co., Ltd. (“ZZY”, which the Company indirectly owns a 9.5% ownership interest through its joint venture) has obtained the registration approval from the local State Administration of Industry and Commerce for the formation of ZZY-Nanjing. Upon the completion of the ancillary procedures for ZZY-Nanjing’s establishment, the Car-Share Program will be officially launched in Nanjing.

Located in Eastern China, Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, is about 300 kilometers or 186 miles from Shanghai in the northwest, and is one of the national renewable energy automobile pilot cities. Furthermore, both Kandi’s SMA7000BEV and SMA7001BEV models are eligible to receive not only the national government subsidy of RMB 47,500.00 (Approximately USD 7,738.00), but also the local government subsidy of RMB 47,500.00 (Approximately USD 7,738.00) from Jiangsu provincial government and Nanjing municipal government combined.

About the Car-Share Program

Zhejiang ZuoZhongYou Electric Vehicle Service Co., Ltd. (“ZZY”) is the first in market to initiate the public pure EV sharing program (the “Car-Share” Program). Kandi Technologies, through its 50% ownership interest in Kandi Electric Vehicles Group Co., Ltd. (the “JV Company”), indirectly holds a 9.5% interest in ZZY.

Individually driven pure EVs are used in the Car-Share Program. The charging/parking stations which provide a variety of services, such as charging, maintenance, battery recycling, are located at airports, train stations, hotels, business centers, selected residential areas and other places that are typically congested. A network system provides EV rental service to individual drivers in and around the city. It also provides EV maintenance and battery charging to self-service users. Lastly, a tracking system allows the Car-Share Program management to keep a close watch at the status and precise location of each vehicle.

This Car-Share Program model has been implemented in Hangzhou since the second half of 2013, and has now begun to expand into other major cities in China.

The Group Long-term Lease Project is a lease model that uses enterprise, community or village as a lease unit and each unit leases a minimum of 100 EVs with a group lease term at a minimum of three years.

About Kandi Technologies Group, Inc.

Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:KNDI), headquartered in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, is engaged in the research and development, manufacturing and sales of various vehicles. Kandi has established itself as the one of the world’s largest manufacturers of pure electric vehicle (“EV”) products, Go-Kart vehicles, three-wheel motorcycles and utility vehicles (UTVs), among others. More information can be viewed at its corporate website is http://www.kandivehicle.com. Kandi routinely posts important information on its website.

This article (10-2-14) is an EV News Report repost, credit: Kandi Technologies Group.

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Nissan Extends its Groundbreaking ‘Choimobi Yokohama’

September 24, 2014 in Car sharing, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Nissan

Image courtesy of Nissan

Image courtesy of Nissan

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd and the City of Yokohama revealed today (9-19-14) that they will extend the one-year trial run of the first large-scale One-way Car Sharing Service in Japan, called “Choimobi Yokohama,” for another year. The service, which kicked off on October 11, 2013, features Nissan’s New Mobility Concept electric vehicles. The program’s main objectives are to encourage low-carbon emission transport options, improve the quality of transportation in the city, and promote tourism. The data below illustrates the effectiveness of the first trial year of service.

Membership: 10,651 people (as of September 15). The original plan called for 10,000 members.

Number of stations: 63 locations, 131 stations (all as of September 15).

Member Profile

Average one-time use lasted approximately 16 minutes. Average distance traveled was approximately 3 km.

Comments from our users:
  1. “Before I knew it, I was using it for multiple hours every month. It comes in especially handy when I want to go around my neighborhood.”
  2. “Instead of it being a mere trial, I wish they would start this program up on a full-scale basis.”
  3. “It’s compact and easy to drive. And easy to access.”
  4. “This program has become a Yokohama landmark.”

Phase 2 of the car-sharing experiment, which begins this October, will use the data collected from Phase 1. By further improving the cooperation between local businesses, shopping centers, and public transportation in and around Yokohama City, the Car Sharing Service aims to establish a free-standing business model that can be implemented in the near future.

In addition, using the real-life data collected from Phase 1, Nissan will undertake a simulation exercise that will aim to improve management efficiency, reevaluate rates and further refine the general business model.

As the leader in Zero Emissions mobility, Nissan, working under the Ultra-Compact Mobility Certification System of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, continues to seek opportunities to harness the potential of ultra-compact EVs toward improvements in transportation means and quality of life.

Choimobi Yokohama Extension Facts

  1. Project duration: From October 1, 2014 (Wed.) to the end of September 2015.
  2. Cars: 50 units (planned) of NISSAN New Mobility CONCEPT
    • The number of units will be reduced from 70 to 50 to improve efficiency, based on actual usage.
  3. Pick-up/drop-off locations (car stations): 60 locations centered around the Yokoyama Station, Minato Mirai, and Kannai areas in Yokohama (total of approx. 110 parking areas).
    • Based on actual usage, the stations have been optimally positioned for improved efficiency
    • Please visit http://www.choi-mobi.com (in Japanese only) for more details.
  4. Driving area: Within the City of Yokohama
    • The vehicles are restricted from driving on expressways and highways
  5. Usage charge: We have introduced a new payment system for Phase 2 of the Car Sharing Service. There will be two options offered to suit the individual needs of the commuter.
    • Plan A: For those who commute to and from work, members of local corporations or people employed on a regular basis, a monthly fee of 1,000 yen will be required. Included in that fee is up to 50 minutes of service at no additional cost. Service that exceeds 51 minutes will be charged at the same 20-yen/minute rate as in Phase 1.
    • Plan B: For customers who may not use the service on a regular basis, such as tourists, the rate will be 30 yen/minute, with no monthly fee required.
      Member registration fee: 1,000 yen (Safety training and IC card cost included)

      • Plan A: 20 yen/minute with no additional costs up to 50 minutes/month. Monthly service fee: 1,000 yen
      • Plan B: 30 yen/minute. No monthly service fee.

    The existing fee structure will continue until October 21. From November 1, the new fee structure will be implemented. Currently registered members will be notified separately after October. From October 22 to 31, the Choimobi program will be temporary stopped for a system update.

    In addition, the Phase 1 membership period lasts until September 30. We will begin the registration process for Phase 2 at the end of October.

  6. Recruitment of sponsoring businesses

    We invite individual supporters as well as sponsorship from local businesses to develop and establish a sustainable business plan for this program.

Facts: NISSAN New Mobility CONCEPT

  • Electric-powered vehicle with lithium-ion batteries
    Maximum speed: 80km/h
  • Length: 234 cm, Width: 123cm, Height: 145cm
    Vehicle weight: 500kg; passenger capacity: 2 people

 

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.

This article is a repost (9-19-14), credit: Nissan.

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A New Type of Urban Mobility Project Launches in Grenoble, France

September 12, 2014 in Car sharing, Electric Vehicles, EV Campaigns, EV charging, EV News, Toyota

Grenoble – The clean city of tomorrow will see personal electric mobility harmoniously connected to public transport systems. By sharing this vision, five partners – the City of Grenoble, France, its metropolitan area Grenoble-Alpes Metropole, EDF and its affiliate Sodetrel, Toyota Motor Corporation and Cité lib – launched today a new service called “Cité lib by Ha:mo”.

This new service is innovative in several ways :

– It’s not just another car-sharing service. By offering a new type of mobility based on ultra-compact electric vehicles, the service aims to complement Grenoble’s public transport network with a solution for short-trips – including one-way trips – that can be planned as part of overall city journeys.

– The vehicles and the charging stations are seamlessly connected to the IT infrastructure of Grenoble’s transport network, offering both route planning and online/mobile app reservations.

– Users can pick-up one of the 70 vehicles and drop it off at any station near their destination without having to return it to the original pickup point. They will only be charged for the ride.

– It features 35 Toyota i-ROAD, the largest number in service in the world. The Toyota i-ROAD is an innovative, fun-to-drive three-wheel personal mobility vehicle equipped with revolutionary Active Lean technology that emulates the movements of a skier. The i-ROAD is as agile as a scooter with the enclosed-canopy comfort of a car. Thirty-five four-wheel vehicles, Toyota Auto Body’s COMS, will also be part of the project.

– The service eliminates the need to look for a parking place. In addition, the compactness of the vehicles makes it easier to plan and build parking and charging infrastructure.

With this new service, the Grenoble metro area continues its tradition of innovation and becomes the trial stage for what will be tomorrow’s urban mobility. “Grenoble draws its strength from its capacity to accompany emerging initiatives and turn them into successes for everyone’s benefit. By proposing a new clean mobility solution that complements bicycling and public transport, the trial ‘Cité lib by Ha:mo’ is in direct line with this tradition,” comments Jacques Wiart, Deputy Mayor in charge of Mobility and Urban Transport at the City of Grenoble.

Grenoble-Alpes Metropole, which runs the area’s public transport network, believes it’s important to promote the switch to different modes of mobility for trips people are obliged to make – for instance going to work, school, or running a business. This would substantially contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and improve air quality. “The project ‘Cité lib by Ha:mo’ is only a start, but we believe it has the potential to encourage our citizens’ active participation in the creation of tomorrow’s mobility, and it goes in the direction we want to take,” says Christophe Ferrari, President of Grenoble-Alpes Metropole.

EDF has been doing research and innovating since its beginnings and is very proud to participate in the Grenoble project by bringing its competencies in terms of electrical charging infrastructure and its know-how in energy management. “Energy transition leads us to create and develop innovative solutions for low-carbon mobility in order to improve the quality of life of people in local communities. That is the very meaning of this unique trial project for EDF and its partners,” says Jean-Pierre Frémont, Director of Public Markets for EDF. EDF Group’s participation in the project demonstrates its commitment to developing low-carbon mobility as a provider of electric mobility services. EDF Group, together with its affiliate Sodetrel, aims to support all its customers – public, corporate and private – to move towards environmentally-friendly, less noisy and CO2-free modes of transport.

Toyota is not only contributing the 70 electric vehicles to the project. It is also responsible for the car-sharing management system – called Ha:mo (for Harmonious Mobility) – which it has been piloting in its home town of Toyota City in Japan. Toyota considers that electric vehicles are part of the overall solution for low-carbon transport and are especially suited to short-distance, urban journeys. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles will prove more practical for longer trips. “This project came to fruition because all of its partners have the same aspiration – we all want to be a part of creating a future urban mobility. Urban mobility solutions will be a key growth area for Toyota in the future. We are very excited to be working alongside the people of Grenoble in solving urban traffic problems,” says Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation.

‘Cité lib by Ha:mo’ : a simple service accessible to Grenoble citizens

Having operated a car sharing service in Grenoble for nearly 10 years with 80 vehicles (petrol, hybrids, CNG and electric), Cité lib will manage the day-to-day operation of the new service. The additional 35 i-ROAD and COMS will double its fleet and offer a different type of service to its subscribers. “The main advantages for our existing and new users will be the ability to pick-up and drop-off at a different location, and the flexibility of a very small vehicle for short trips,” explains Martin Lesage, Director, Cité lib.

Who can use ‘Cité lib by Ha:mo’?

– Any person 18 years or older with a valid drivers’ license

– Users need to subscribe to Cité lib (www.citelib.com) online or by appointment at one of the three multi-modal transport offices in Grenoble

Where are the charging stations located?

– A total of 27 charging stations are in Grenoble, Fontaine, Gières, St Martin D’Hères, Seyssinet-Pariset, et La Tronche, close to tram, bus or train stops

– Each station is equipped with at least four spots for i-ROADs and COMS

– Some stations also feature one or two spaces for other EVs and PHVs

How do you reserve a vehicle?

– Once a Cité lib subscriber, you can download an app to your smartphone or tablet (Cité lib by Ha:mo in app stores) or to your PC from www.citelib.com

– With the app, users can see the locations within the city of vehicles that have sufficient charge to be used

– Once a user returns their vehicle to any station and plugs it back in, the vehicle’s battery will start charging and use charge will end

How much is the service?

– The service fee is geared towards short trips with a significant discount for annual subscribers to Grenoble’s transports (MetroVelo, TAG, Itinisere or even rail with TER)

Length of use Full fare Reduced fare
0 to 15* minutes 3 euros 2 euros
15 to 30 minutes + 2 euros (total = 5 euros) + 1 euro (total = 3 euros)
30 to 45 minutes + 1 euro (total = 6 euros) + 1 euro (total = 4 euros)
45 to 60 minutes + 1 euro (total = 7 euros) + 1 euro (total = 5 euros)
2 hours Total 11 euros Total 9 euros
4 hours Total 19 euros Total 17 euros

*charging occurs for each 15-minute interval

How much does the EV/PHV charging service cost?

– Once the administrative and badging cost of 25 euros is paid, plug-in vehicle users will be able to use the charging service for free until 31 December 2014. From January 2015, a pricing schedule will be offered with costs varying between 2 and 5 euros for an hour of charge, depending on charging speed (normal or fast). Charging time will be limited, especially during daytime hours, in order to discourage prolonged parking and allow maximum access to these parking spots.

‘Cité lib by Ha:mo’ will open to the public on 1 October 2014 for a three-year period. The project partners will use this trial to collect valuable data on technical aspects and user behaviours, thereby contributing to the future of mobility through a very concrete and practical initiative.

This article is a repost, credit: Toyota.

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Renault and Bolloré form a partnership in electric vehicles

September 9, 2014 in Battery Energy Storage, Car sharing, Electric Vehicles, EV News, Renault

Carlos GHOSN and Vincent BOLLORE During the signature of the agreement between the two groups, Renault and Bolloré, on the electric vehicle. Photo credit: Luc PERENOM Courtesy of Renault

Carlos GHOSN and Vincent BOLLORE
During the signature of the agreement between the two groups, Renault and Bolloré, on the electric vehicle.
Photo credit: Luc PERENOM
Courtesy of Renault

Following the letter of intent signed in September 2013, French groups Renault and Bolloré are joining forces to promote electric vehicles as part of three agreements relating to: 

  1. industrial cooperation: the Renault plant in Dieppe (Normandy, France) will assemble Bluecar electric vehicles for the Bolloré Group from second-half 2015,
  2. the founding of a joint-venture to sell complete electric car-sharing solutions in France and Europe,
  3. a feasibility survey, commissioned by the Bolloré group to the Renault Group, on design, development and production by Renault of a new urban electric vehicle with a 20 kWh lithium metal polymer (LMP) battery.

The development of electric vehicles is key to address environmental issues, particularly air quality and mobility in towns and cities.

Reducing environmental impact

In order to significantly reduce the environmental impact of cars, the development of electric vehicles and car-sharing is not an option; it is a necessary transformation.

The overall environmental impact of an electric vehicle is virtually half that of an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle*. Electric vehicles emit no CO2, smells or fine particles (excluding wear parts) in use. As a result, they significantly improve air quality and noise levels, particularly in the city. Without electric vehicles, improvements in urban air quality will be slow, driven only by the renewal of the ICE vehicle parc and by changes to regulations on pollutant emissions.

Electric vehicles are particularly enjoyable to drive. Since their launch, they have built up a customer base that includes both consumers and business fleets. The electric vehicle market has kicked off at a pace that is 20 times faster than the hybrid market in its time. Sales of electric vehicles are growing worldwide: + 100% in France, +250% in the USA, +50% in Germany (2013 vs 2012).

For this reason, the Renault and Bolloré groups have decided to build on their complementarity. The Renault group has expertise in the design, development and production of electric vehicles (ZOE, Kangoo, Twizy). The Bolloré group is a key player in electricity storage solutions, a field whose applications include car-sharing programs based on all-electric vehicles. This application is recognized today with the success of Autolib in Paris.

* based on a comparative study of Fluence ICE and electric, available on group.renault.com

1- industrial cooperation agreement

The Bolloré Group has commissioned Renault, European leader in electric vehicles, to gradually take over assembly of the Bluecar, formerly built solely in Italy. The vehicles will be assembled at the Renault plant in Dieppe (Normandy, France) from the second-half of 2015. For the Dieppe plant, this decision is an acknowledgement of its expertise and a promise for its future activity.

The Dieppe plant specializes in building vehicles in small series. It currently builds Clio IV R.S. and is set to build the future Alpine, scheduled for launch in 2016. The Dieppe plant will be able to rely on the expertise of the Renault group in electric vehicles to acquire the skills necessary to assemble this type of vehicle. A new final assembly workshop will be set up specially within the plant to build these vehicles. The Bolloré group will thus have access to a modern production tool tailored to its requirements and delivering a significant reduction in costs.

Blueindy car sharing, Indianapolis Photo courtesy of Blueindy

BlueIndy car sharing, Indianapolis
Photo courtesy of BlueIndy

2- founding of a joint-venture in car-sharing

With a number of cities now taking coercive measures to address air quality and congestion by limiting traffic, the Renault and Bolloré groups have decided to set up a joint-venture, whose aim will be to win and install complete electric car-sharing solutions in France and Europe. The Renault group will hold a 30% interest in the joint-venture, while the Bolloré group will own 70%.

As part of this agreement, from the second-half of 2014, customers using car-sharing networks in Lyon (Bluely) and Bordeaux (Bluecub) will be able to choose a Twizy, a vehicle that is different but complementary with the Bluecar, already available on a car-sharing basis in both Lyon and Bordeaux.

Renault vehicles will be gradually integrated with the car-sharing fleet to reach a proportion of 30% as quickly as possible.

3- feasibility study for a 3-seater bluecar

The Bolloré group has asked Renault to conduct a feasibility survey on the design, development and production in a Renault group plant in France of a smaller car than the existing Bluecar (three seats instead of four), able to support the expansion of car-sharing initiatives. This vehicle could also be sold to consumers, companies and municipalities.

This electric vehicle will ship with a Blue Solutions lithium-metal-polymer (LMP) battery with a capacity of 20 kWh.

This article is a repost, credit: Renault.

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