CT&T Korea is planning to spread its zero emissions vehicles from
South Korea to the United States in the next few years. The South Korean
automaker will create an American subsidiary called CT&T United to produce
and market low speed EVs to American consumers. CT&T United is currently
searching for suitable space for a headquarters, R&D facility and
manufacturing plants. The company is focusing heavily on Southern states such
as Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama and South Carolina popular among
foreign automakers.
The flagship vehicles for CT&T United are low speed EVs
called the c-Zone and e-Zone. The c-Zone is a diminutive EV built on a golf cart
chassis powered by a 3.5kW electric motor and 8V battery pack. The more likely
player in the American market is the e-Zone powered by a 5.0kW electric motor. CT&T
United will offer the e-Zone with a choice of a 72V lead-acid battery or an
equivalent lithium polymer battery. The e-Zone is capable of reaching 35 miles
per hour with a maximum distance of 41 miles for the lead-acid battery and 68
miles for the lithium polymer battery. CT&T United plans to sell these
models for prices between $8,000 and $16,000 USD.
CT&T Korea is juggling a number of projects while trying
to develop a presence in the United States. The automaker has a contract with
T3 Motion to produce 4,000 e-Zones for police departments in the United States.
CT&T Korea has applied to the U.S. Department of Energy for a loan to cover
expenses of producing its first line of e-Zeons. The company is working with
Japan-based PUES Corporation to design, test and sell inverters and in-wheel
motors for electrical vehicles worldwide.
Former Nissan executive Young Gi Lee could not have imagined
how quickly his new venture would have expanded when its doors opened in 2002.
In addition to produce c-Zones and e-Zones globally, CT&T Korea will market
its batteries and components to aftermarket customers. CT&T’s successful
collaboration with South Korean universities in developing low-speed EVs will
be replicated with foreign universities to develop highway-capable EVs. The
success of the CT&T United venture depends largely on this last development as American
consumers want EVs that move faster than 35 MPH.
