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Zenn electric cars cleared for Canada
November 5, 2007 - by David Ehrlich, Cleantech Group
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Toronto, Ontario's Zenn Motor (TSX: ZNN) has been selling its electric low speed vehicles since late 2006, but it's had to go south of the border to do so.
That's about to change, as the company just received approval from Transport Canada.
"It frees the way to sales in Canada, but now we have to deal with each province. It's not a cakewalk by any means," Ian Clifford, CEO of Zenn Motor, told the Cleantech Group while on business in Texas.
Clifford is in the Lone Star State to meet with secretive energy storage developer EEStor, based in an Austin suburb. Zenn holds 3.8 percent of EEStor after investing $2.5 million in the supercapacitor company in April.
Zenn's car now meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, but it's left up to the individual provinces to decide whether to approve the use of the car on public roads, and British Columbia is currently the only province that allows the use of low speed vehicles, or LSVs.
LSVs are limited to operating on roads with speed limits of up to 35 miles per hour, and the cars can't have a top speed of more than 25 mph.
The Zenn, or zero emission, no noise, vehicle is a three door hatchback with a range of up to 35 miles and an 80 percent recharge time of 4 hours.
Take a look at a couple of the cars here >>
The company makes five or six cars a day at its factory in St. Jerome, Quebec, but Clifford said they've got the capacity for "thousands and thousands" of vehicles at the plant.
Dynasty Electric Cars, a Delta, British Columbia-based electric LSV maker, recently decided to move its operations overseas, leaving Zenn Motor as the only company building electric LSVs in the country.
Clifford said he has no plans to move, but he had almost given up on selling to the Canadian market.
"They were insisting that we had to basically certify that we would not offer our vehicles for sale on mixed use roadways, which is completely contrary to the way the legislation is written," said Clifford.
Transport Canada issued its approval for Zenn's use of a National Safety Mark even though Zenn plans to market the car for use on local roads. But the agency said it plans to inform the provinces that it does not believe that LSVs should mix with regular vehicles, citing safety issues.
"They're not certified to meet any safety standard that other cars are certified to meet, the crash-worthiness and component testing," said Transport Canada spokeswoman Jessie Chauhan.
She said the reason the Zenn was not previously approved was because the company's micro-car platform, imported from France, did not meet Canadian safety standards.
"We sent the company a letter on April 11, 2007, indicating which items the micro-car platform had to be stripped of," said Chauhan. She said the agency received written confirmation from the company last week that it would comply with the platform safety concerns.
The Zenn is already used on local roads in the U.S., where LSVs are approved for use on low speed public roads in 43 states, including New York, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, Washington and California.
"Everything from somebody living in a controlled, gated community, to somebody living in a downtown, urban core, to someone living in a town, to someone living on an island using the vehicles," said Clifford.
He said the company expects to start selling its cars in Mexico in early 2008, and that it's in talks about the possibility of European sales.
Zenn also plans to offer vehicle conversions, swapping out combustion engines for electric, as part of its licensing deal with EEStor.
Zenn holds worldwide exclusive licenses for EEStor's supercapacitor for used car conversions as well as for new small and medium-sized low speed and highway capable vehicles.
The EEStor supercapacitor cells are said to use barium titanate coated with aluminum oxide and glass to achieve a level of energy capacitance claimed to be much higher than what is currently available in the market.
If the technology works as suggested, about $9 of electricity—delivered by trickle charge at home, or in five minutes by specialized equipment—could give the capacitor sufficient energy to drive a small car like the Zenn 500 miles, or 800 kilometers.
"The Achilles' heel of the electric vehicle industry is clearly about energy storage. It's not about drive systems, it's not about vehicles, it's about the ability to store adequate amounts of energy safely and cost effectively in a vehicle platform," said Clifford.
Zenn has an option to put up to an additional $5 million into EEStor if it meets testing milestones, which are to measure how much energy can be stored in the EEStor production materials.
Copyright © 2007 Cleantech Group LLC. All rights reserved, including right of redistribution.
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Comments
I like the ZENN
Submitted on January 23rd, 2008 by Paul Gillingham (not verified)I had not heard of the ZENN before today. A friend told me about it and I had to check it out on the web. It looks fabulous! My wife and I have a Toyota Camry Hybrid and are somewhat satisfied with it. The car is terrific, but we still have to fill up the gas tank! I am going to lobby my MPP and my MP here in Toronto to get the road regulations changed so that we might be able to buy one of your cars and use it. Keep up the great work. As soon as we are able to buy your car, I will install solar panels or a windmill to help keep the charge. Heck, I am already working on these ideas.
Paul Gillingham
Electric Car
Submitted on January 31st, 2008 by Pat Markey (not verified)He Paul I was thinking of doing something similar in a business context. If you are really interested, we should meet some day to talk about ways of keeping and charge on the electric as I see that the future, Please respond to my e mail thanks hope to hear from you soon
Pat
Electric Vehicles
Submitted on April 12th, 2008 by EV Canada (not verified)For great info on Electric Vehicles
please visit www.evcanada.org
A Canadian based Campaign for Electric Vehicles, a campaign to promote the uptake of zero emission vehicles in Canada.
Please dont forget to include your petition.
Your support will help to make the diference.
Thank you
EV Canada.org
Allowing electric cars on canadian roads (excl.bc - as is okay)
Submitted on April 25th, 2008 by Cherie Wilson (not verified)Thanks EV Canada.org for providing the petition link to us Canadian's to campaign to allow electric cars on Canadian roads. It was an eye-opener that we weren't allow to drive electric cars in Alberta. And I was also very surprised to hear that the only province to allow electric cars on roads was in B.C. As such, I passed the information on to many, many family and friends and hope this issue disappears SOON as i have been looking into my vehicle options and considering switching to an electric vehicle in the near future.
The Zenn
Submitted on April 24th, 2008 by micheal legrange (not verified)Worthless and useless, I'll run your @#&^%! ass over if you get in front of me with one of these tree hugging turd hauling matchbox cars....
reply to micheal legrange
Submitted on April 27th, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)If you engage in criminal behaviour, you will end up in jail. Road rage is not the answer to your problems.
Reply to rude comment posted.
Submitted on May 23rd, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)Hey man, you sound like the kind of person who SHOULDN'T be on the road. Hopefully they'll raise gas prices so high so your cheque from the bowling alley you work at won't cover it for you any more. Then again, ignorant comments like yours conjure up images of some drunken stupid hillbilly in the back woods who's living in the 1920s that you probably didn't get enough education to even manage a minimum wage job in the first place. So which is it? Or are you just some idiot shmoe who has nothing better to do than fart around the internet and make stupid posts? This company is trying to do something positive for our economy and the environment. People like you have NO PLACE in the future of the world's gene pool. Have a nice day at the welfare office, retard!
your `letter'
Submitted on June 23rd, 2008 by franklin (not verified)Upon reading your comment, I was first tempted to reply in kind , but would require stooping to a level that would hurt my back. However, if I DID stoop that low , I'd get a great view of you in the gutter. You do your country proud.
matchbox cars
Submitted on July 21st, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)ohmygosh...this is a free world. I hope you are just joking around. Otherwise I people might think you are an ignorant bore. Live and let live, nonviolence, evolution not extinction!
Live on!
Mary Ann Lammersen
i love hugging trees
Submitted on October 4th, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)you must work for exon....ELECTRIC RULES
I emailed my MP and here's his reply
Submitted on June 12th, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)Thank you for your previous email and for raising your concerns about the licensing of the ZENN for sale in Canada.
The NDP is appalled at the hypocrisy of this government which claims to be so concerned about finding ways to meet the challenge while protecting the Canadian economy. What better way to show its commitment than to allow a Canadian developed innovation like the ZENN on our roads? Its refusal to do so is just one more indication of where this governments real interests lie - big business and big oil.
We have been raising the issue of the ZENN in parliament. Here is a Hansard excerpt:
Hon. Jack Layton (Toronto—Danforth, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, the minister can start by telling the truth to the House. The fact is the tax subsidies to these very large polluters stay in place for many more years under the plan of the government.
At the same time, it will not even allow electric car manufacturers, which produce clean cars right here in Canada, to be sold in Canada. That is how far-sighted the government is. A Canadian-built car, the ZENN vehicle, is already sold in the U.S., Mexico and Europe, but it cannot get on the road in Canada. Solar cars are available here.
Why will the government not do the right thing and support the (licensing of ZENN vehicles in Canada?)
Obviously the Conservative government continues to do the wrong thing in not supporting electric car manufacturers. I want you to know we feel that it is a priority to move towards these green forms of automobiles.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your concerns and comments. Please be assured that the NDP will continue to fight vigorously to ensure Canadians have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a clean environment to live, work, and play.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada’s New Democrats
Car + Cars
Submitted on June 21st, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)I just heard of this company today and I think it is a good step in the right direction but you really have to focus on a marketing campaign that would flood the airwaves and commercial time slots in order to gain a greater amount of influence. Since the introduction to the environmental crisis and the 2008 presidential election in addition to Canadian political opinion in regards to altering the patterns of pollution I think in the current situation you need an aggressive campaign to put forth advertisement that can gain influence on a massive scale. At the present period you need a massive short term gain. Picture Toronto, I personally have never seen a commercial regarding your company. Imagine if you put 3-4 commercials on the most influential networks just for a week. There could be a greater potential to gain a better standing within the markets considering the issue with the environmental crisis is at its peak in this age. The point of all this is its already 2008 and if you have been around for some time it doesn’t show
Zenn car range
Submitted on January 27th, 2008 by John Hamon (not verified)Due to current product available with limit to range and low speed it is difficult to make a discission to buy or lease one. However if you do want to get your car out to market, a thing or two could be clearified or modified.
A modest leasing package for one to two years with option to upgrade with EEStor energy pack. say in 6 moths when Martin Marietta has testing completed of actual production method. I have other ideas as well.
If you sould be interested please do not hesitate to call me 514-637-6381
I sincerly feel that since your car is all electric it could be sold in public places such as shopping centers. Which would highlight zero emmissions facts.and not allow the regular IC dealers groups to represent you with no ecological soul.
ZENN
Submitted on March 10th, 2008 by John K (not verified)ZENN is an amazing car ... Canada should allow Zenn to be sold everywhere in Canada !
Visit www.evcanada.org a web page that promotes the use of Electric Vehicles in Canada.
Making Zenn Cars legal to drive in Nova Scotia
Submitted on March 11th, 2008 by Russell Barton (not verified)Are you interested in a campaign to persuade the Government of Nova Scotia to permit the licensing and use of Zenn Cars on its roads? If you are I will send you a short draft proposal as to how it could be done(three pages). It will outline the strategy and principles that would be used to win road use in Nova Scotia. Once Nova Scotia is converted, we would concentrate on the rest of the Maritimes, using a similar strategy.
If you like the short proposal a more detailed one would follow.
I now am a published fiction writer but have been invoved for many years on a number of community development projects as well as having been a director in several industrial enterprises; plus many other activities that would make me a good fit to get Zenn Cars moving on our Nova Scotia highways
Russell Barton
Russell Barton
Zenn
Submitted on April 16th, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)Hi Russell
Yes, we are very interested on getting this car street legal in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia should be a leader in protecting the enviroment.
If we could convince Peter McKay, it may help.
Kindest Regards
Kurt Scheid
I am ready to make the leap to LSV
Submitted on March 13th, 2008 by Sonia Smee (not verified)Hello Zenn Car Community,
My nephew just told me about your car last night and I went throught the ceiling with hope. Only to crash this morning as I find, of course, that legislation is keeping the car off the roads.
However, with gas at $1.09 + and forcasts of it going to $5 and $6, and my current car on the ropes after a long winter of snow I'm ready to slow down and buy a Zenn. What a perfect way to come out of a long Ottawa Winter.
Now, my nephew also said that the price was fantastic. Hope this also to be true - so that Zenn isn't just the toy of the rich but accessible to anyone willing to slow down. How Zenn would that be?
I would think the public would be more than ready to accept LSV at this stage of the climate chaos game. It just needs some political will/which needs some marketing pressure. The commute to work just became a chuckle? How cool is that?
Soooo, let me know if there is anything I can do?
Many thanks,
Sonia Smee
accuracy of article
Submitted on March 13th, 2008 by David Secor (not verified)The above article states that Zenn is the only company in the US making LSV's. However, that is not a true statement. Global Electric Motorcars (GEM), a subsidiary of Chrysler Corporation also makes a low speed all electric vehicle quite similar to ZENN's car. The GEM car has been made in Fargo, North Dakota since 1998. I appreciate the Zenn car and its features and it appears that the Zenn car looks more like a regular automobile than does the GEM car. I think it is important to be up front and honest with potential customers and you may want to change your article wording because it discredits your article, even though your product is excellent. Good luck with the sales. I hope they sell so that the price of these vehicles can come down to between $5,000-10,000 which will be more affordable for the average wage earner in this country.
Zenn is based in Toronto,
Submitted on March 17th, 2008 by David EhrlichZenn is based in Toronto, Ontario.
Toronto continues to remain on the Canadian side of the longest unprotected border in the world.
Dynasty Electric Cars is based in Delta, British Columbia, also part of Canada.
So when Dynasty decided to move its manufacturing overseas, it left "Zenn Motor as the only company building electric LSVs in the country." With "country" referring to Canada.
The story is about Zenn's difficulties in selling the cars in its home country of Canada, and having to go "south of the border" to the U.S. to sell its vehicles.
Also, the Zenn is not our product. So while I appreciate your well wishes on our sales, we do not sell cars, we write news.
BUY ZENN!! (Zero Emission, No Noise)
Submitted on May 9th, 2008 by Soon to be user (not verified)Buy these cars!! They could help the earth a lot! If you think about all the pollution that goes in to the air coming from cars alone, imagine how clean and fresh the earth would be if the only pollution we had came from factories! This is a serious matter that nobody seems to care about but we need to do this for our own good! Personally, I want to live to see my children(That have not been born) grow up in a safe invironment without the fear of death at any moment by flooding, freezing, or natural disasters! Please help as much as you can by recycling, composting, and buying ZENN cars!
From,
Candace Miles. 14 years old, student at Mayfield S.S.
When and where?
Submitted on June 1st, 2008 by Serge Beauchemin (not verified)We are ready for this kind of transportation.
So, when?, where? and how much?
Some states still don't allow the LSV
Submitted on June 8th, 2008 by Wannabe Driver (not verified)States such as Massachusetts and Connecticut do not allow the LSV. The article mis-reports that Massachusetts allows these; I live here, they are not legal.
British Columbia
Submitted on June 16th, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)What is the outlook for a retailer selling these cars in BC? I want one!
How does the Zenn car do in winter?
Submitted on June 18th, 2008 by Maria D (not verified)I work 15 minutes by car from my house. I work early morning then I go back home to go back to work in the aternoon. When the weather permits I try to take my bike.
I would really love to buy a Zenn car. I live in St-Jerome , where they make the car. My worry though is come winter time, how efficient are these cars in our winter time? Can we us them during the winter at under 15 degrees? PLease let me know.
Sincerly yours, Maria D
Zenn will be accepted on Quebec road.
Submitted on June 18th, 2008 by C.B. (not verified)You can order your Zenn on Zenn web site.
http://www.zenncars.com/
zenn car
Submitted on July 6th, 2008 by lucie (not verified)Bonjour,
Hi,i am very impressed about this new technology, you wonder what the Government is doing. People think they own the earth,
we just least it. The earth and human life is not about money
but rather some intelligence and character. If you love the earth you should respect it, simple as that.
Where can we buy such vehicle?
Lucie
I want to buy an eletrtic
Submitted on July 21st, 2008 by Mal Hines (not verified)I want to buy an eletrtic car today and drive it in Ontario.
These posts are great and I
Submitted on July 23rd, 2008 by Unregistered user (not verified)These posts are great and I love the comment about the hillbilly with anger issues.
The electric car is the car for the future which will take the world by a storm in the next few years. The combustion engine will still be needed but only a small percentage of them will be needed. The government needs to get behind this technology as the auto industry has had 80 years of refining and improving the combustion engine which has had huge government subsidies throughout all the years. Remember Chrysler being bailed out by the US government.
I can't understand why government leaders in power don't want to see their country the leader in this industry. I'm sure Europe is ahead of us as their high taxes on gas has given them a huge incentive to find alternatives. They are so far ahead of N.A. in all areas of alternate energy. America is catching up fast but we could succeed with the right government incentives
Canada has cheap electric power which gives the country a huge advantage and the cold weather is not a problem either as most cold areas have the infrastructure for electic power due to the use of block heaters.
We need more R & D and production immediately. What's wrong with using the Truck plants which are being closed down.
Electric Cars
Submitted on August 18th, 2008 by Pat Silla (not verified)Where can I buy one of these cars, anywhere, anywhere in Canada? I live near St Jerome, I would be ready to buy one today. Harper, Dion, Layton and Duceppe, HELP
Zenn . . .do a media blitz
Submitted on August 20th, 2008 by Stacia Kennedy (not verified)I am so excited about the eeStor possibility, but Zenn you need to start a media blitz right now. I live on a very "green" island, and yet I find that no one I speak to has even heard of Zenn. I saw the Rich Mercer spot on the Zenn, but other than that, nothing. Once you let everyone know about them, the pressure will be on to the politicians for incentive programs and rebates and then they will sell like hotcakes. My next car will be a Zenn, and I'm sure that most boomers would say the same if they just knew about them.
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