Think Secures Electric Vehicle Homologation and Major Spanish Order
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MORE: Think Unveiling-Geneva 2008;VIDEO
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – May 13, 2009: Think today made its mark at EVS 24, the Electric Vehicle Symposium (Norway, 13-16 May) by announcing several highly significant developments that consolidate its position at the forefront of electric vehicle (EV) production.
Firstly, the TH!NK city has been granted the first ever pan-European homologation certificate for an EV. The new certificate only became available from 1 May 2009, and is intended to help accelerate the introduction of roadworthy EVs. Fully equipped with ABS brakes, airbags and three-point safety belts with pretensioners, the TH!NK city meets all of the the primary safety requirements expected of modern passenger cars.
Secondly, Think has signed a memorandum of understanding 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
enthusiastically supporting the introduction of EVs in Spain, and is aiming
to install electric car infrastructure in several cities, as well as
subsidising 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 programme.
“The Spanish government is providing 10 million euros to support the early introduction of electric vehicles,” said Mr. Juan Luis Pla, Manager of Transport – IDAE- Ministry of Industry. “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.”
Richard Canny, CEO of Think, added, “The combination of government-led demonstration programs followed by incentives for consumer to purchase EVs is a pattern that leading governments around the world are following. It helps get EVs on the market, increases the scale for Lithium-ion battery producers and drives the cost of these batteries down”.
Think at EVS 24
Norwegian-based Think is demonstrating over
18 years of experience in EV technology at the EVS 24 event, of which it is
a Gold Sponsor. Ahead of the show, the TH!NK city took part in the Viking
Rally, a race dedicated for electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered
vehicles.
The route was effortlessly undertaken by the TH!NK city, which has a top speed of 65 miles per hour, accelerates from zero to 30 mph in just 6.5 seconds and has a maxiumum range of 112 miles.
To experience driving the TH!NK city, test drives will be available at the ’Ride and Drive’ sessions at EVS 24, while think reprentatives will be on hand to answer any questions.