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Think Receives Pan-European Homologation Certificate for TH!NK EV; MOU for 550 Units to Spain
13 May 2009
| Think signed an MOU for 550 units for Spain. Click to enlarge. |
At EVS 24, the Electric Vehicle Symposium (Norway, 13-16 May), Think announced that the TH!NK city electric vehicle has been granted the first pan-European homologation certificate for an EV. The new certificate first became available from 1 May 2009, and is intended to help accelerate the introduction of roadworthy EVs.
Think also has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deliver 550 TH!NK city EVs to the Spanish market. The first of the compact EVs will be delivered towards the end of this year.
EV Homologation. The new homologation certificate, which was issued to Think in the Netherlands, will help the company fast-track the introduction of the zero emission TH!NK city EV in all European markets. The car can now be registered in each European member state without additional national tests or approvals. This harmonization will result in reduced costs and lead-times for the manufacturer, importers and consumers.
To secure the new homologation certificate, each vehicle is tested for compliance with more than 40 directives, covering areas like response to impact, braking, lighting and emissions. Part of the type approval is the audit of the engineering and production process, to ensure that each vehicle produced meets the same standards.
The TH!NK city EV was already fully homologated for many European markets through the previous country-by-country NTA national certification process.
Spanish EV drive. Spain’s Industry Ministry is supporting the introduction of EVs in Spain, and is aiming to install electric car infrastructure in several cities, as well as subsidizing the government, municipal and private purchase of smaller EV fleets.
Ahead of the delivery of the 550 TH!NK city EVs, five of the vehicles will be delivered to Spain this summer for a demonstration program.
The Spanish government is providing 10 million euros [US$13.6 million] to support the early introduction of electric vehicles. I am delighted to see that Think’s cars are being delivered already this year, so we can prepare the ground for a fast transition to clean vehicles.
—Juan Luis Pla, Manager of Transport – IDAE - Ministry of Industry
The TH!NK city, has a top speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), accelerates from zero to 30 mph (48 km/h) in 6.5 seconds and has a maximum range of 112 miles (180 km).
May 13, 2009 in Electric (Battery) | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
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Anyone know what rating it got on Euro ncap?
Posted by: Scatter | May 13, 2009 at 12:49 PM
It is nice to see that TH!NK is still in business. They will capture a bigger market if they incorporate a very small fuel powered generator similar to the one in the Honda inverter generator sets. I assert again that no electric car should be without a fuel powered generator just to appeal to more people even if it is only for emergencies. Of course one could carry a Honda 2000is and a few liters of fuel, but it would be nice to run it whilst waiting in city traffic or having lunch. The OPOC would be a great engine if it were ever made. Even a RCV engine could work. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | May 13, 2009 at 07:41 PM
Range extenders could use smooth low speed high power engines that you hardly know are running. If they turn on and off to keep the batteries charged, the range issue goes away.
Posted by: SJC | May 14, 2009 at 11:06 AM
This poor little company has been so beaten down it's a wonder it still exists. A sad commentary on Norwegian support for electrification of transport. Probably the second richest country on Earth and they have yet to invest a Kroner in tiny Th!nk. They're Norway's only electric car outfit of significance.
Posted by: sulleny | May 14, 2009 at 05:37 PM