Forget the Tata Nano, Oklahomans can get a new electric car for $865!

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

When automotive talk turns cheap, the most common vehicle that comes up is the Tata Nano, which currently holds the title as the Cheapest New Car in the World and is only available in India. So, Americans, how would you like to snag a brand-new electric car for the low, low price of just $865 right here in the United States? If you happen to live in Oklahoma, you can do just that... sort of.

There's plenty of fine print, naturally. For instance, the electric car in question, the Kandi Coco, is really a Low Speed Vehicle (or LSV) that is capped by law to a top speed of 25 miles per hour and restricted to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less. And yes, it's made in China and looks something like half a Smart Fortwo. Still, the Coco carries an MSRP of $10,599 and you may be able to score one dirt cheap thanks to a couple of available state and federal rebates.

The first deduction comes from the federal government and cuts the price by $4,435. Next, the State of Oklahoma deducts another $5,299 from the starting price for a total rebate of $9,734. Do the math, and that equals one Kandi Coco for $865 – but only if you live in Oklahoma, and only if you make the purchase before the end of the year. Now... go out and get that giant red bow before it's too late. And don't forget about the free EV option.


[Source: Kandi via Automobile Magazine]

World’s Largest Battery-Powered Truck Comes to U.S.

Written by Timothy B. Hurst

Smith Electric Vehicles to build electric trucks in Kansas City

Company officials at the UK-based Smith Electric Vehicles announced on Friday that they will begin manufacturing “The world’s largest battery-electric-powered truck” at a new plant in Kansas City, Missouri.

The battery-powered Newton will be the first vehicle to be produced at the new plant, but starting next year, the plant will manufacture an electric version of the new Transit Connect light-duty vehicle in collaboration with made by Ford Motor Co.

The Newton cruises at a top speed of 50mph, carries payloads up to eight tons and can last up to 150 miles on a single charge. The Newton also has a wheelbase of 3.9 meters and a turning radius of 14.15 meters, allowing it to make tight turns and making it ideal for urban applications.

Available in a range of body styles to meet specific customer needs, the Newton can even be fully refrigerated.

According to manufacturers, the Newton is perfectly suited for “depot-based fleets, engaged in lower-mileage, multi-drop collection intra-city operations on congested roads.” In short, don’t expect these to be taking the place of 18-wheel tractor trailers, but do expect to see them being used as delivery vehicles, logistics vehicles in and around airports, and as service vehicles around town.

The Kansas City location was one of several vying for the new plant, but the $3 million in tax incentives for Smith from the state of Missouri helped seal the deal.

Company officials said the new facility would create 200 green collar jobs within three years, with the first round of new hires receiving a starting wage of $44,236 annually. The company hopes to begin rolling Newtowns out of the new Kansas City plant by the third quarter of 2009.