Archive for February, 2009

Here is the Whip in Charlotte, NC going through final dynamometer testing
for calibrating the shocks and springs for final manufacturing specs.

After co-founding Mindspring, McQuary takes over an electric car company

As told to Amy Barrett for Business Week

I always want to be part of something i think can have a major impact on society. My friend Charles Brewer founded [Internet service provider] MindSpring Enterprises in 1994. We wrote the business plan together and I came on board the next year. I was president for seven years.

By early 2007 I was a partner at a merchant bank when Bo Huff, founder of Ruff & Tuff Products, came to us for money to expand as a golf cart company. We weren’t very interested in that business, but Bo had a lot of great technology. We invested and I became CEO.

The green element is what really drew me to car design, and now I have an appreciation for the old classic cars. I caught the fever late in life. When I was growing up, my dad, who had been a mechanic, was a Ford loyalist. My mom used to say the only competition she had for his affection was a 1955 Ford Mainline. Now I find myself online studying hybrid cars and comparing them. I have a driveway full of electric cars—the Wheego Whip, two rejected prototypes we developed, and a Lexus hybrid. We still have a Honda minivan for the kids.

The Whip is the best electric vehicle in the world. I think the acceleration is going to surprise people. It’s a very peppy car. Although I’m the most conservative driver around. Whenever we go on a trip, I volunteer to drive, and my friends say, “No way. Don’t let Miss Daisy drive.”

Wheego Electric Cars Launches U.S. Dealer Network

Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Taking Applications from Dealers Now

ATLANTA, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ — WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS, a division of RTEV, Inc., one of the first companies to deliver a full line of recreational and street electric LSVs (Low Speed Vehicles), today announced the official launch of its U.S. car dealer network.

“In today’s difficult automotive market, more and more car dealers are looking for additions and alternatives to the traditional brands to maintain and grow their dealership business,” said Jeff Boyd, president of Wheego. “Electric vehicle adoption, fueled by volatile gas prices, increasing environmental awareness, and technological advancements puts the electric vehicle industry on the cusp of major growth as consumers are increasingly making more green-conscious buying decisions. Progressive car dealers are realizing this, and we’re receiving applications from a variety of dealers who also have other car lines such as Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Saturn, and Suzuki, and want to expand their product line-up and catch the wave of the emerging electric vehicle movement. No one wants to get left behind. We will launch our first car, the Wheego Whip in May with a target of 50 U.S. car dealerships appointed by then,” added Boyd. “These will be a combination of traditional car dealers as well as a new type of dealer who exclusively sells electric vehicles and combines several manufacturers such ZENN, ZAP, and MILES in one dealership.”

The first dealer test drives of the Wheego Whip were conducted in Ontario, CA in December, and there was unanimous praise for the car. Dave Kauffman, who is the Electric Car Specialist for EnVironmental Motors of Glendale, CA commented, “The Wheego [Whip] has great lines for a small car, and the nicest fit and finish I have seen yet in a production Electric Car. My driving experience was — I could not drive it enough. It is just like driving a conventional car except for the LSV speed limitation. The Wheego that I drove was 100 percent ready for the customer.”

“We have the best affordable electric car in the world,” said RTEV CEO Mike McQuary. “While I’m obviously biased, the feedback from the experts at our premier showing and test drive validated my belief. The assumption that electric cars are impractical for everyday transportation needs goes away once you see and test-drive the Wheego Whip. Instead the light bulb goes on, and people start to envision how this car can fit into their everyday life. Our Wheego cars will fill a middle market demand at the right time, and with a national dealer network to provide service and support. I think this is a great opportunity for progressive thinking car dealers to get in on the ground floor.”

Dealers can get information and applications at www.wheego.net or by emailing Jeff Boyd at jboyd@rtev.net.

About RTEV

RTEV is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The company’s two product lines are Ruff & Tuff (recreational) and Wheego (street). Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, former president of MindSpring and EarthLink ISPs, RTEV has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components that distinguishes the brand from other EVs and is the first EV company to deliver affordable LSVs to the marketplace through a national dealer network.

Media Contact
Kate Jay
Trevelino/Keller Communications Group
404-214-0722 x118
kjay@trevelinokeller.com

Test Drive Review of the Wheego Whip

By Dave Kaufmann, EnVironmental Motors Electric Car Specialist

Wheego has an AC-31 Brushless Motor (10 to 35hp) with a Curtis Controller, Regen braking and 96V (9/8V) AGM Batteries.  This Two Seater, Low Speed Vehicle is Front wheel drive with a fixed gear ratio transaxle.

The performance for this LSV is exceptional in every way; there is great acceleration, handling, stopping and range.

The Wheego I drove last week ran around at 35mph and had a range of about 40 miles and would charge over night. The Batteries have around 14KW and only use 10KW before it asks you to charge the batteries. I think the reason for this is to have a true 40 miles without sacrificing performance. In my opinion all electric cars should perform like the Wheego in regards to its batteries range estimate.

The interior is “GREAT”, sport like seats, loads of leg, head and shoulder room. There are three gauges that appeal to everyone’s needs. These gauges include, state of charge, speed and a small gauge that has mileage, trip, fault code indicator. This gauge is a nice addition that I haven’t seen yet. It has an “Eco meter” that lets you know by LED’s from green to red which will help you to extend your battery range buy monitoring your heavy foot, so you know when to ease up.

This Wheego has great lines for a small car, wide low profile wheels & tires and the nicest fit & finish I have seen yet in a production Electric Car.

My driving experience was, I could not drive it enough, and it is just like driving a conventional car except for the speed limitation.

The Wheego that I drove was 100% ready for the customer and I feel if they get the price right we finally have the right vehicle for the LSV market.

Available in May 2009- But we are taking deposits now. Be one of the first to own of these stylish, efficient cars!

Target Retail Price: $19,995

Wheego Website

Winnsboro, SC – Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Wheego Electric Cars, has applied for $15 million in low-interest loans under a new federal program to spur development of the next generation of U.S. fuel-efficient vehicles.

“We are very excited at the opportunity to be able to accelerate our production of electric cars that will provide an economic transportation opportunity to the volatility of gasoline prices, reduce carbon emissions, and ultimately help strengthen U.S. energy security,” said Wheego CEO Mike McQuary. “During this time of economic uncertainty, this special federal lending program is perfectly designed to keep the development of the electric automobile industry on track.”

Wheego applied for the funds under the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program (ATVMIP), which was established under Section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It is intended to spur development of fuel-efficient vehicles and components. The Department of Energy reported 34 applications were filed as of December 31, which was the first deadline for applications. The money is not related to the government bailout of the auto industry.

“While $15 million may seem insignificant versus the hundreds of millions that were applied for by other electric car manufacturers, it is testament to the fact that we are already significantly far along in our development. We will launch Wheego, our electric LSV in May of this year, and expect that we will have a full speed car on the road before the end of 2010. We also have a created a corporate culture that demands a frugal approach to development and manufacturing, and we think that this is crucial to being able to stay competitive versus other manufacturers,” said McQuary.

The Wheego Whip, which will be available through a network of dealers in the spring, is a two-seater that is targeted toward ecologically conscious consumers, and urban commuters who travel 30 miles or less on their daily commute.

“We had the unveiling of our Wheego Whip in early December, and have already received applications from all of the dealers who were in attendance, and
want to sell the car in their markets,” said Jeff Boyd, president of the Wheego division. “In my 25 years in the automobile industry, it was as excited as I have ever seen car dealers with any product premiere that I have been involved with. In these tough economic times, dealers have been looking for some good news, and this car looks like it could be it.”