ZENN Motor Company is dedicated to enabling emission-free, energy-efficient transportation. Working with EEStor's electrical energy storage units (EESUs) under development, ZMC aims to enable OEM and Tier 1 partners to deliver advanced electric transportation solutions to their customers. The Company has a Technology Agreement with EEStor that provides certain exclusive rights to purchase and deploy EEStor's EESU technology, which are detailed in the Company's AIF.
In 1998, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recognized the need for small, neighborhood-only vehicles that did not go fast enough to merit full certification as conventional automobiles. So NHTSA created a new classification called LSV, or Low Speed Vehicle, presently street legal in 44 states.
But that was 10 years ago, and gasoline was $1.10 a gallon, so no one paid attention.
Design
The vehicle is based on the Microcar MC2,in production in France since the early 2000s, and produced under license from Microcar's parent company Bénéteau. The Microcar MC2, and the short wheelbase MC1, are sold in Europe with 500cc diesel engines, and are considered "Quadricycles" there.
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 AGM cells were available at extra cost initially, then included as standard equipment in later models.
Also optional were a retractable fabric sunroof, air conditioning, floor mats, and audio entertainment center. The vehicle originally was built with a DC motor and GE controller, and in 2008 was modified with an AC motor and Curtis controller. The AC motor was stated to be better for hill climbing, initial acceleration, and overall performance.
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. In a July 2009 interview, CEO Ian Clifford stated that EEStor anticipate "deliver of production prototype EESU to us by the end of 2009".
In 1998, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recognized the need for small, neighborhood-only vehicles that did not go fast enough to merit full certification as conventional automobiles. So NHTSA created a new classification called LSV, or Low Speed Vehicle, presently street legal in 44 states.
But that was 10 years ago, and gasoline was $1.10 a gallon, so no one paid attention.
Design
The vehicle is based on the Microcar MC2,in production in France since the early 2000s, and produced under license from Microcar's parent company Bénéteau. The Microcar MC2, and the short wheelbase MC1, are sold in Europe with 500cc diesel engines, and are considered "Quadricycles" there.
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 AGM cells were available at extra cost initially, then included as standard equipment in later models.
Also optional were a retractable fabric sunroof, air conditioning, floor mats, and audio entertainment center. The vehicle originally was built with a DC motor and GE controller, and in 2008 was modified with an AC motor and Curtis controller. The AC motor was stated to be better for hill climbing, initial acceleration, and overall performance.
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. In a July 2009 interview, CEO Ian Clifford stated that EEStor anticipate "deliver of production prototype EESU to us by the end of 2009".
In most areas—federal LSV standards can be, and often are, amended locally—the LSV must be capable of a minimum speed of 20 mph and a maximum of 25 and can be driven on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or less. But most LSVs, the ZENN included, can go faster if you know which computer chip to change or which wire to cut. Reportedly, the ZENN can reach 40 mph, and many LSV owners make the modifications.
Inside, the ZENN’s thin cloth-covered seats are tolerable, and overall interior trim and build quality aren’t that bad. It’s plenty roomy for two adults, and there’s 13 cubic feet of storage space in the rear, accessible beneath the hatchback. Power windows, keyless entry, carpeting, and a heater are standard. The optional JVC stereo ($295) is fine, as is the air conditioning, “a $2200 value” that ZENN, at this writing, is including at no charge.
Inside, the ZENN’s thin cloth-covered seats are tolerable, and overall interior trim and build quality aren’t that bad. It’s plenty roomy for two adults, and there’s 13 cubic feet of storage space in the rear, accessible beneath the hatchback. Power windows, keyless entry, carpeting, and a heater are standard. The optional JVC stereo ($295) is fine, as is the air conditioning, “a $2200 value” that ZENN, at this writing, is including at no charge.
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