Norwegian Company Plugging into US Electric Car Market
The word "electric" is electric in the auto world these days. Recent auto shows have been showing off new rides and improved technology.
Needless to say, the space is busting at the seams with competition and now it's going to get more crowded
A new player on the scene, the Norwegian electric carmaker THINK, is looking to penetrate the U.S. market. The company has been selling electric vehicles (EV) in Europe for 19 years and is looking to open an assembly plant in Elkhart, Indiana.
Chief executive officer of THINK, Richard Canny, was with Ford Motor Company for 25 years. In an interview with AFP, Canny explained how a small start up company is able to compete against some of the automotive giants in the marketplace.
“Unlike the market for conventional cars, the playing field is more level in the electric vehicle market," he said.
One of THINK’s investors, EnerDel, a subsidiary of ener1, will supply the manufacturer with lithium-ion batteries. EnerDel is the only manufacturer of commercial-scale, automotive grade lithium-ion systems with production facilities in the U.S. EnerDel has teamed with AeroVironment, a leader in Efficient Electric Energy Technologies.
THINK will work in concert with AeroVironment, on the new fast-charging station for the EV market. The fast-charging stations will be installed in major cities. For two to three dollars, the system provides an 80 percent charge in 15 minutes.
THINK manufacturing has sold over 1,600 EVs in Europe, and has lately has been selling the newer, THINK City models. The newer car has a top speed of just over 70 mph, with a full charge range of 100 plus miles. The automaker’s goal is to sell 20,000 vehicles a year in the U.S.
Cars will be built at there plant in Finland until the new facility in the U.S. is on line. Canny plans to jump start sales thru government and private fleets contracts. Private sales will follow as the EV market evolves.
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