Electric car maker THINK announced plans to begin selling the THINK City electric car in New York and other select cities later this year.
THINK and the U.S. Department of Energy’s local Clean Cities chapter are working together to bring the THINK City electric car to customers in New York.
The New York City officials and several New York fleet operators had a chance to test drive the zero-emissions electric car at a drive event on Pier 7 in Brooklyn. The sophisticated lithium-ion battery system that gives the car its range and reliability is made in the U.S. by New York’s own Ener1, Inc., one of the city’s leading clean technology companies.
New York was tied with Chicago in the EV Ready-City Index released by THINK in January. THINK developed the index to measure which markets are most likely to begin and benefit from the transition to electric vehicles.
New Yorkers can see the THINK City in the EV Pavilion at the New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center April 2-11.
THINK City is a purpose-built, all-electric car designed for urban environments. It is capable of highway speeds and can travel more than 100 miles on a single charge with zero local emissions.
THINK has chosen EnerDel, the Indiana-based lithium ion battery manufacturer, to be the exclusive battery supplier for THINK City electric cars sold in the U.S. through 2012. EnerDel also will supply at least 60 percent of the batteries for THINK City electric cars sold in Europe.
THINK recently announced plans for a North American manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana, where the company will build the THINK City beginning early in 2011. The new facility will be in addition to THINK’s current manufacturing capability in Finland, where it has contracted with Valmet to build the THINK City.
