The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Policy News

EVs are set to conquer the region of Bregenz over the coming months as the Austrian Government initiates its Vlotte project to prove the functionality of car electrification and assess practical impacts on national grids. Norwegian EV maker Th!ink is scheduled to deliver most of the 100 EVs for the Vlotte project.

As a first step to develop similar programs all over the country, the Austrian Government wants to prove that something which is still, in most cases, only debated, can be a reality today. The project is part of an overall national strategy to comply with previously scheduled environmental goals.

One in a line of EV projects

“This is the first project of what could become several similar government supported projects in Austria in 2009. We are very encouraged to see the Austrian government and Vlotte take an active role in the transition to electric mobility” said Richard Canny, CEO of Th!nk.

With zero emissions and efficiency averaging three times that of a traditional combustion engine, Th!nk city cars should make up the bulk of the 100 cars that will be used by utilities, municipal and other large fleets. The first Th!nk city EVs were delivered late February to electricity provider Vorarlberger Kraftwerke.

Collaboration between governments and EV makers

The Vlotte project is only one of current partnership proposals between governments and EV makers as similar projects have been debated in the UK and the US. Partnerships seem to be a key to develop smart grids whereby overload is avoided with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) as energy flows both ways.

"The future belongs to the electric vehicle. This is a first example of the future link between the transportation sector, utility companies and information technology," explained Dr. Eveline Steinberger, managing director of the Austrian Federal Climate and Energy Fund.

Th!nk planning US plant

In a mid-March announcement, the Norwegian EV maker made public its plans to have a production plant in the US. With a production aimed at 2,500 units in 2010, Th!nk is now part of the handful of EV makers ready to hit the market as of next year.

"Plans ultimately call for up to 900 employees and a capacity of 60,000 electric vehicles per year," said the EV maker which operates a plant near Oslo with a 16,000 units per year capacity.

The EV maker is in talks with eight different states to find where best to manufacture its vehicles. As such, this would initially create some 300 jobs and an extra 70 jobs in a joint technical center. Th!nk is also part of the EV manufacturers who are counting on US funds to reduce their installation costs.