TH!NK made some splashes at the Washington Auto Show at the end of January. The EV automaker announced a partnership with AeroVironment Inc. on EV demonstration and commercialization projects in the United States. TH!NK plans to incorporate AeroVironment’s fast-charging system into future models of the TH!NK City EV. The company’s fast-charge unit uses a protocol from Tokyo Electric Power Company that streamlines electrical current for faster charges. TH!NK hopes that the AeroVironment charging unit can make its City EVs more convenient for drivers on the move. The presentation in Washington, D.C. indicated that recharging to 80% of battery capacity would take a mere 15 minutes.
The TH!NK/AeroVironment Inc. collaboration goes beyond appealing to the passenger EV market. TH!NK is making a play for corporations and government agencies with large vehicle fleets. The TH!NK City EV with a fast-charging unit could also be used in shopping centers and malls by security personnel. TH!NK and AeroVironment Inc. will likely work with operators of parking garages nationwide to match fast-charging equipment with EV charging units.
TH!NK also announced its selection of Indiana-based EnerDel as the sole supplier of batteries for City EVs produced in the United States. EnerDel already supplies 60% of the batteries for the automaker’s 1,500 City EVs in Europe. Geography also played a role in this selection as TH!NK just selected Elkhart, Indiana as its next production site. By committing to EnerDel for its American run of City EVs, TH!NK is streamlining its production processes while using batteries from a proven manufacturer.
These decisions by the Norwegian automaker boost an already exceptional product. The City EV has developed significantly in the past decade, now achieving 70 miles per hour and a per-charge range of 100 miles. Consumers in northern Europe have flocked to the City EV thanks to its diminutive size, reliability and simple charging interface. These attributes are increasingly favored by American consumers who have lost interest in big trucks and SUVs. By working with components companies in the United States, TH!NK is also appealing to consumers interested in seeing their vehicles produced in America. These latest steps by TH!NK should pave the way for City EVs to hit American streets en masse in the next few years.
