Zenn Motor Company Proposes cityZENN, Other Models for 2009

Zenn Motor Company unveiled a multi-product roll out plan at its annual meeting that will begin with the introduction of the cityZENN in 2009. This vehicle is different from other electrical vehicles in its use of an ultracapacitor instead of a battery as an energy source. Interested parties may not be able to find out much about the EEStor ultracapacitor prior to 2009 due to the company’s tight-lipped approach to public relations.



The reason why Zenn Motor Company is excited about cityZENN is that it eliminates the issues of low speed and battery capacity. The cityZENN is reported to have a top speed of 80 miles per hour that sets it apart from the competition. The EEStor ultracapacitor allows this car to travel up to 250 miles on a single charge to give commuters a practical zero-emission vehicle. One of the aspects of the EEStor ultracapacitor that Zenn is touting heavily is the fact that a full charge takes less than five minutes. These specifications seem a bit lofty for an electric vehicle with a new ultracapacitor with downward revisions likely after the first batch of cityZENN’s are sold.

Other news out of Zenn’s annual meeting includes new low-speed vehicles and the promotion of the Zenn drive train for retrofitters as well as customizers. A utility vehicle and a four-passenger sedan that travel at lower speeds will hit the market following the roll out of the cityZENN. An interesting development in Zenn’s effort to promote vehicles that produce minimal emissions and noise is the commercialization of the ZENNergy drive train. This fundamental part of every Zenn vehicle will be available for consumers who want to switch from internal combustion to electric automobiles.

Zenn Motor Company’s stream of new products shows the progress of electric vehicles in the global automobile market. The low-speed vehicle is purported to accrue 10% of the fuel and maintenance costs of a gas-powered car while dampening 100% of the engine noise. The first generation of cityZENN cars may experience some problems but the switch to an EEStor ultracapacitor shows a commitment to new ideas. The most encouraging aspect of the latest ZENN news is that the company is beginning to resemble a traditional motor company in terms of diverse offerings.