ZENN
| ZENN | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Manufacturer: | ZENN Motor Company based in Toronto, Canada |
| Also known as: | Feel Good Cars |
| Production Years: | 2006– |
| Class: | NEV\LSV |
| Length: | 3.1 m |
| Width: | 1.6 m |
| Height: | 1.4 m |
| Charging connector: | Extension cord to standard domestic 110V outlet |
| Charge time | 80% - 4 hours, 100% - 8 hours |
| Curb Weight: | 1,200 lb (544 kg) |
| GVRW: | 1,705 lb (773 kg) |
| Battery type: | lead-acid batteries |
| Range: | 30–50 miles |
| Maximum speed: | 45 km/h (25 mph) |
| Doors: | 3 door hatchback |
| MSRP: | $12,000–$16,000 |
ZENN (Zero Emission, No Noise) is a 2-seat battery electric vehicle currently in production and built by ZENN Motor Company designed to qualify as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. It has a range of up to 35 miles (56 km) and does not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
The vehicle is based on the Microcar MC2, and produced under license from Beneteau Group. The Microcar brand is sold in Europe, with a diesel engine.
Electric power is stored in six 12V lead-acid gel batteries, which has a recharge cycle of 8 hours. Valve regulated (low maintenance) lead-acid wet cells are available at extra cost.
Also optional are a retractable fabric sunroof, air conditioning, audio entertainment center, and AC motor, stated to be better for hill climbing. The 2008 model has a standard AC motor.
On January 16 2007 EEStor, Inc. announced plans to ship 15 kilowatt-hour Electrical Energy Storage Units (EESU) to ZENN Motor Company by end of 2007 for use in the ZENN electric vehicles. This will make the ZENN the first production vehicle to use EESU. As of April 30 2007 ZENN Motor Company owns approximately 3.8% of the equity of capacitor developer EEstor, after an investment of $2.5M US.[1]
Licensing agreement with EEStor
EEStor was founded in 2001 by Richard D. Weir and Carl Nelson, former senior managers in disk-storage technology at IBM and Xerox. The Company maintains a low profile, but others in the automotive and CleanTech communities are calling their storage technology ‘game changing’. Such a breakthrough has the potential to transform the energy sector and the automobile industry in particular.
The following is how the EESU will compare to other batteries used for electric cars[citation needed]
| Ceramic EESU | NiMH | La(Gel) | Lithium-ion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (pounds) | 300 | 1716 | 3646 | 752 |
| Volume (cubic inches) | 4541 | 17,881 | 43,045 | 5697 |
| Discharge rate | 0.02%/30 Days | 5%/30 Days | 1%/30 Days | 1%/30 Days |
| EV Charging time (full) - 100% charge | 3-6 min | >3.0 hr | 3-15 hr | >3.0 hr |
| Life Reduced with deep cycle use | none | very high | high | very high |
| Hazardous Materials | none | yes | yes | yes |
| Temperature vs. effect on energy storage | negligible | high | very high | high |
ZMC entered into an agreement with EEStor dated August 24 2004 (with subsequent amendments dated November 26 2004, September 30 2005, August 8 2006 and January 22 2007) to acquire in perpetuity the worldwide exclusive rights to use EEStor’s EESU in the following markets:
All-electric 4-wheeled personal transportation uses for vehicles with a curb weight up to 1,400 kilograms (3,100 lb), net of the battery weight, and For golf carts and similar-styled utility vehicles, and The aftermarket conversion of any internal combustion passenger vehicle to electric drive
The EEStor Technology Agreement also provides ZMC with non-exclusive, worldwide use to manufacture higher horsepower and heavier vehicles.
City ZENN
The cityZENN is planned to be a fully certified, highway capable vehicle with a top speed of 125 kilometres per hour (78 mph) and a range of 400 kilometres (250 mi). 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 at the point of use. The Zero Emission, No Noise[citation needed] cityZENN will be designed to meet the transportation requirements of a large percentage of drivers worldwide. It is due to be launched in Fall 2009. Also according to Ian Clifford a normal household outlet with 110 volt supply can fully charge the EESTor powered CityZENN in 4 hours for a 250 mile range and a normal household outlet with 220 volt supply can fully charge the EESTor powered CityZENN in 2 hours for a 250 mile range. CityZENN target price is around $25000 - $30000. [2]
Legalization in Canada
Although the company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and the car manufactured in St- Jérôme Canada, the vehicle was first introduced in the United States. Federal regulations set up by Transport Canada to approve low speed vehicles (LSVs) for public road use excluded the ZENN and other Neighborhood Electric Vehicle from Canadian roads. ZENN's battle with Transport Canada over LSV regulations have been well documented in Canadian News. [3]
The ZENN car met all the regulatory requirements in the United States, the same regulations adopted by Transport Canada in 2000. Since August 16 2000 British Columbia has allowed LSVs on its roads, however this exception to the federal law was set up for large farm equipment. Although the ZENN is technically legal in B.C., the cars would have to be equipped with warning signs and yellow flashing lights to distinguish themselves as slow-moving. It took 2 years of political red tape before ZENN received it's National Safety Mark from the Canadian Ministry of Transport. The safety mark was granted after a report by the CBC[4] caused public outcry against the governments lack of interest in environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel vehicles.
In Ontario, LSVs can be used on roadways within provincial or municipal parks and conservation areas (when driven by an authorized park employee), or on private property.
On June 17 2008, Quebec announced a pilot project for the ZENN, which will allow residents of Quebec to finally drive ZENN in Canada.[5]
Awards
In the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006, ZENN received the highest overall rank in the Urban Car category.
Gallery
See also
References
- ^ Ehrlich, David (2008-03-31). "Zenn Gearing up for EEStor-powered car". Cleantech Group. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
- ^ zenncars.com - Ian Clifford discusses the ZENN, EESTor.. - June 02, 2008
- ^ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080526.FUELS26/TPStory/Environment
- ^ [1]
- ^ http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/industrials/enn-motor-company-evaluating-canadian-expansion/-1441685563
External links
- ZENN Motor Company
- The Challenge Bibendum Paris 2006: wrap-up
- Low-Speed Vehicle Pilot Test FAQ
- Support for legislation change in Canada to allow Zenn Cars to be sold here.