Reading’s high school colors may be red and black, but one new business on Main Street is adding another color to the mix – green.

Dan Enxing, President of Subaru of Nashua, New Hampshire and co-founder with John Zaeder [...]]]> excerpted from an article by Paul Feely in the Middlesex East paper at HomeNewsHere.com.

Dan Enxing (right) and John Zaeder of Ecars in Reading have recently opened the first electric car franchise in New England. The duo stands next to the Wheego electric car. Photo by HomeNewsNow

Reading’s high school colors may be red and black, but one new business on Main Street is adding another color to the mix – green.

Dan Enxing, President of Subaru of Nashua, New Hampshire and co-founder with John Zaeder of Go Green Realty Trust in Hudson, New Hampshire, has opened an ECars of New England dealership at 281 Main Street in Reading, the former site of the Artists Frame Shop.

Zaeder and Enxing are looking to ride what they hope will be a growing wave of support for electric cars, in both sales and usage throughout the region. 

“It is the first new electric car franchise in New England,” said Enxing. 

Enxing became interested in the site after learning about it online.

“I was looking for suitable locations one day, and I came across this site,” said Enxing. “It seemed like there were some environmental challenges with it, and it seemed like a great fit.”

The dealership, located on a 36,340 square foot lot, specializes in sales of Wheego Whip cars, though hybrid cars from other companies are also sold there.

The Wheego Whip LiFe Full-Speed all-electric car recently became available for purchase. The Whip LiFe runs on a lithium battery pack, and will go approximately 100 miles on a charge. The sticker price on the Wheego Whip LiFe is targeted in the low $30K’s.

“That’s the highway version of the Wheego,” said Enxing. “There’s another version, meant for around town or city driving, that gets slightly less mileage per charge.”

With gas prices on the rise at the pumps again weekly, Enxing couldn’t be more excited about the future of the electric car industry.

“The price of oil is going to take off this spring,” said Enxing. “These are great cars. They look great, they have a lot of room inside – a tall man can fit inside comfortably. We have a lot of confidence in this. It will be the first new electric car franchise in New England, and we are excited.”

Wheego Electric Cars distinguishes itself from other electric vehicles currently on the market with its long running dry cell sealed (AGM) batteries, which require no maintenance and will not harm the environment. 

Its vehicles feature on-board high tech chargers and battery systems can allow travel up to 50 miles on a single charge – and plug in for a recharge on any standard home 120 volt electrical outlet.

Electric cars – What’s the fuss all about?

An electric car is powered by an electric motor instead of a gasoline engine. The electric motor gets energy from a controller, which regulates the amount of power—based on the driver’s use of an accelerator pedal. The electric car (also known as electric vehicle or EV) uses energy stored in its rechargeable batteries, which are recharged by common household electricity.

Unlike a hybrid car—which is fueled by gasoline and uses a battery and motor to improve efficiency—an electric car is powered exclusively by electricity. Historically, EVs have not been widely adopted because of limited driving range before needing to be recharged, long recharging times, and a lack of commitment by automakers to produce and market electric cars that have all the creature comforts of gas-powered cars. That’s changing. As battery technology improves—simultaneously increasing energy storage and reducing cost—major automakers are expected to begin introducing a new generation of electric cars.

The recent years have seen a remarkable activity in the global electric vehicle industry. Growing environmental concerns and an increase in oil prices in 2007-2008 provided manufacturers as well as consumers with ample thrust to accelerate the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs). 

Several major as well as small manufacturers ventured into the manufacture of electric vehicles, while a few others announced plans for the same. Technological breakthroughs have expanded the scope of electric vehicles considerably. These developments are expected to result in widespread acceptance of electric vehicles across mass markets.

The US presently constitutes the largest regional market for electric vehicles, accounting for more than 50% of the global market, as reported by the new market research report on Electric Vehicles. Nevertheless, growth is expected to emanate mainly from Asia-Pacific, with countries such as China and Japan setting aggressive production and sales goals. Sales of electric vehicles in Japan are projected to reach 433,000 units by 2012.

The company strives for a more environmentally responsible future, committing to [...]]]> from the CayCompass, January 23, 2012

 Wheego CEO Mike McQuary welcomes Richard Hibbard Auto Center. “Our cars are assembled in Ontario, California, just a few miles from [...]]]> ATLANTA (January 26, 2012) – WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS, a U.S. manufacturer of all-electric cars, today announced that Richard Hibbard Auto Center, in Claremont, California has been named a new Wheego dealer in Southern California.

 Wheego CEO Mike McQuary welcomes Richard Hibbard Auto Center. “Our cars are assembled in Ontario, California, just a few miles from Hibbard in Claremont. That area of California has great potential for electric vehicles, and Hibbard Auto Center is a trusted name in the auto business for both sales and service. They are just minutes from the Claremont Colleges, which boast top tier academics and a proven commitment to sustainability. We are happy to have Hibbard Auto join the team. They have our cars in their dealership now and are ready for test drives.”

Richard Hibbard Auto Center will showcase the Wheego line of electric vehicles at their second annual American Red Cross Blood Drive on February 3, 2012 from 10am to 4pm. A free BBQ lunch will be served to all blood donors, and to anyone bringing their car in for service at the Hibbard Auto Service Center. 

The Wheego LiFe comes fully-equipped with driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, power windows and locks, and optional air conditioning. The 115V lithium battery pack can be charged from a standard 120V outlet, a 240V outlet or any of the J1772 standard charging stations being installed in public locations throughout theUnited States. The LiFe travels approximately 100 miles on a single charge. It is available in red, white, blue, black, silver, and green. The Wheego LiFe is a two-seat subcompact car with fit, finish and features designed for today’s environmentally-conscious commuters. The LiFe starts at $32,995 and qualifies for a $7500 Federal tax credit and a $2000 California tax credit. 

Hibbard Auto Center will also carry the Wheego Whip low-speed vehicle, a subcompact car designed for campuses and government fleets. The Wheego Whip list price is $19,995.

About Richard Hibbard Auto Center

Richard Hibbard Auto Center is a family-owned business begun in 1981. They are located at 191 S Indian Hill Blvd in Claremont, California. For more information about Richard Hibbard Auto Center, visit http://www.richardhibbardautocenter.com/.

About Wheego Electric Cars

Wheego Electric Cars is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs).  Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, CEO and former MindSpring entrepreneur, Wheego Electric Cars has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components.  Wheego Electric Cars is one of the first EV companies to deliver affordable fully capable, street legal all-electric cars for everyday consumer use. The Wheego line of electric vehicles is emission-free, making them an ideal choice for consumers, fleets and businesses who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Wheego is headquartered inAtlanta,Georgia. The cars are assembled inOntario,California.

For more information about Wheego, visit the company website at www.wheego.net. To inquire about dealership opportunities,email info@wheego.net.

Contact:          

Richard Hibbard Auto Center: Jimmy Hibbard, jimmy@richardhibbard.com  909-624-4541

Wheego Electric Cars: Susan Nicholson, susan@wheego.net, 678-904-4795

Visit Wheego in booth 3765 to see the LiFe, set up a test drive, and learn more about becoming a Wheego dealer!

Les Seagraves, Wheego VP-Product Development, represented Wheego Electric Cars in a Plug-in Electric Vehicle display for the Georgia General Assembly’s Committee on Energy, Utility and Telecommunications.  The event showcased the latest technology in Plug-In Electric vehicles and charging stations at the Georgia State Capitol building on January 12, 2012.

Experts doubt year-old venture can survive as electrics-only business

After his two Lexus dealerships in Florida were sold to AutoNation in 1997, Richard Nimphie stayed for nine years to run them. But he wanted his own business, and one idea kept jumping out at him [...]]]> by Alysha Webb for Automotive News, January 9, 2012

Experts doubt year-old venture can survive as electrics-only business

Ana Maria and Richard Nimphie show off a Wheego Whip. Says Richard: "I took a calculated risk that this time EVs were going to be a thing of the future, not just a passing notion."

After his two Lexus dealerships in Florida were sold to AutoNation in 1997, Richard Nimphie stayed for nine years to run them. But he wanted his own business, and one idea kept jumping out at him — electric vehicles. A year ago, Nimphie opened Suncoast Electric Vehicles in St. Petersburg, Fla.

“I took a calculated risk that this time EVs were going to be a thing of the future, not just a passing notion,” he says.

The business model is risky. Suncoast is not tied to an established automaker — instead, it buys EVs from several small producers — and its product portfolio is tiny.

But it fills a need for new companies that lack retail networks. And because it isn’t a franchised dealer, it can sell over a vast area. Still, some experts are wary of its chances for success.

Suncoast offers a handful of EVs: the Wheego Whip low-speed vehicle, the Wheego LiFe, two Vantage commercial vehicles, a golf cart, and electric scooters and bikes. Prices range from $799 for an electric bike to $32,995 for a Wheego LiFe.

In its first year, Suncoast took deposits for 10 Wheego LiFe units and sold four Vantages and “a lot of electric bikes,” Nimphie says.

The store’s future probably will parallel the fortunes of electric-drive vehicles, experts say.

“He is selling electric mobility,” says Rebecca Lindland, director of research at IHS Automotive. “There is an opportunity because of the changes we are starting to see.”

A St. Petersburg, Fla., beauty salon owner uses a Wheego Whip from Suncoast Electric Vehicles to promote her business.

President Obama’s plan to have 1 million alternative-fuel vehicles on the road by 2015 should expand the market for EVs, she says, as could a more environmentally aware younger generation.

Still, the EVs-only business model is a long shot, says Lloyd Schiller, a dealership consultant in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“I would have a hard time making a business case for this,” he says. “Right now, Nissan and Mitsubishi are trying to sell EVs out of traditional dealerships, but I doubt any of their dealers could survive on Leafs and i-MiEVs alone.”

On the other hand, Suncoast can range far afield to find customers. The store has sold several Vantage vans to the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Petaluma, Calif., and is talking with several universities, Nimphie says.

Individual buyers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area include college students, retirees and small-business owners who want to project a green image. One local beauty salon owner wrapped her red Wheego Whip with her shop’s name.

“It is kind of an eye-catcher,” Nimphie says.

Suncoast partners with a local credit union for financing, and sells service contracts, Nimphie says. He takes gasoline-powered cars as trade-in vehicles, reselling the fuel-efficient models and wholesaling the rest. For spare parts, Suncoast has an arrangement with the manufacturers, Nimphie says.

He offers a mobile repair service for buyers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

“That alone sets their mind at ease and puts more credence into EVs,” he says.

Nimphie, 62, went to work for a fleet leasing company straight out of college in 1971. His father-in-law at the time, the late George Ballas, who owned Chrysler and Buick dealerships in Toledo, Ohio, was one of the first Chrysler leasing franchisees in the 1960s. He advised Nimphie to work in the leasing business.

Suncoast Electric Vehicles owner Richard Nimphie figures being an EV-only dealer will give him first shot at new products from EV companies looking to enter the market.

The move to sell electric cars was natural for Dan Enxing, who’s been plugged into the automotive industry for 25 years.

Now he and co-owner John Zaeder are set for a December soft opening of their first freestanding eCars of New England dealership.

Enxing [...]]]> by Carley Thornell for the Boston Herald, November 13, 2011

The move to sell electric cars was natural for Dan Enxing, who’s been plugged into the automotive industry for 25 years.

Now he and co-owner John Zaeder are set for a December soft opening of their first freestanding eCars of New England dealership.

AWAY WHEEGO: ECars co-owners John Zaeder, left, and Dan Enxing show off an electric Wheego ‘LiFE’ model in their Reading showroom, which will open next month. Photo by Patrick Whittemore

Enxing and Zaeder are transforming a Reading building blighted by petroleum contaminants into a sparkling new space where they’ll sell fuel-efficient used cars and serve as the state’s only authorized dealer for the two-seat electric cars made by Wheego.

The Facts
•    In 2007, the average combined fuel economy for cars and light trucks was 20.4 miles per gallon.
•    In 2007, 11,720 miles were traveled by the average vehicle.
•    In 2007, the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to total emissions for passenger vehicles [...]]]> by Gina Williams for Motorcycleaccident.org, November 14, 2011

The Facts
•    In 2007, the average combined fuel economy for cars and light trucks was 20.4 miles per gallon.
•    In 2007, 11,720 miles were traveled by the average vehicle.
•    In 2007, the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to total emissions for passenger vehicles was 0.977.
•    For every gallon of motor gasoline burned, 8.92*10-3 metric tons of carbon dioxide is emitted.
•    Gas powered motor vehicles emit:
•    Carbon monoxide.
•    Carbon dioxide.
•    Nitrogen dioxide.
•    Sulphur dioxide.
•    Benzene.
•    Formaldehyde.
•    Polycyclic hydrocarbons.
•    Lead.
•    Tiny suspended particles.
•    378 million gallons of motor gasoline are consumed in the U.S. each day.
•    Annually, 137,970,000,000 gallons of gasoline are consumed in the U.S.
•    Two-thirds of the oil consumed by the world is consumed by transportation vehicles.
•    One-sixth of the world’s oil is consumed  specifically by passenger vehicles
•    Car and truck tail pipe emissions are responsible for almost a third of the air pollution in the United States.
*All according to PBS, the Federal Highway Administration, and the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

The Effects of Gas Powered Engines
•    Carbon dioxide, the gas most dominantly emitted from motor vehicles, contributes to the greenhouse effect; it is responsible for 63 percent of the greenhouse’s increased intensity.
•    Nitrogen oxide causes acid rain.  NO2 makes up about 7.2 percent of the gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect; those vehicles with catalytic converters are responsible for almost 3.6 percent of the nitrogen oxide released.
•    Health effects:
•    Aggravation to heart and lung diseases.
•    Birth defects.
•    Cancer.
•    Irritation of lung tissues.
•    Lung Problems.
•    Negative impacts on organs, the nervous system, and blood.
•    E.g. Heart disease, lead poisoning, impaired mental functioning, etc.
•    Oxygen impairment to the brain.
•    Respiratory illnesses.

Why Electric Cars Are Better For the Environment
Electric cars, like the Wheego, are powered entirely by batteries.  Unlike gas powered engines and hybrid engines, electric cars emit no greenhouse gases, let alone environmental pollutants.  This is because they are run entirely by electricity and use no gas.  Electric cars’ batteries are made from lithium iron phosphate, which is less harmful to than environment than the traditional lead battery used in gasoline engine cars.

 “We will unveil the highway-ready Wheego LiFe at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo starting October 20th,” said John Felder, CEO of Cayman Automotive. [...]]]> ATLANTA (October 18,  2011) – WHEEGO ELECTRIC CARS,  a U.S. manufacturer of all-electric cars, today announced that Cayman Automotive of the Cayman Islands will receive their first Wheego LiFe this week.

 “We will unveil the highway-ready Wheego LiFe at the Chamber of Commerce Business Expo starting October 20th,” said John Felder, CEO of Cayman Automotive. “There is a great opportunity in the Islands for electric vehicles, and as the first all-electric dealer in the Cayman Islands, we are excited about introducing the Wheego LiFe to our eco-conscious residents.”

 The Chamber of Commerce Business Expo will be held at the Family Life Centre on Walker’s Road. It opens on Thursday, October 20^th with an Invitation-only Grand Opening from 5:30 to 8:30pm. The Expo is open to the public Friday October 21^st from noon to 8p.m. and Saturday October 22^nd from 10a.m. to 4p.m.

The Wheego LiFe comes fully-equipped with driver and passenger airbags, anti-lock brakes, power windows and locks, and optional air conditioning. The 115V lithium battery pack can be charged from a standard 120V outlet, a 240V outlet or any of the J1772 standard charging stations being installed in public locations throughout theUnited States. The LiFe travels approximately 100 miles on a single charge. It is available in red, white, blue, black, silver, and green. The Wheego LiFe is a two-seat subcompact car with fit, finish and features designed for today’s environmentally-conscious commuters. The LiFe starts at $32,995. 

About Cayman Automotive Leasing and Marketing Ltd

Cayman Automotive is located at 256 Crewe Road on Grand Cayman Island, and has been in business for 6 years serving the Cayman community. Plans are now underway to build a new state of the art sales and service facility to handle our customers in this growing and sophisticated market. There is also an authorized service center in Cayman Brac to handle our sister Island customers. The first all-electric dealership in the Caribbean, Cayman Automotive will offer a full line of six different all-electric cars and trucks. The company has plans to expand their operation to Bermuda. For more information about Cayman Automotive, visit the company website at www.caymanautomotive.com.

About Wheego Electric Cars

Wheego Electric Cars is an innovation-driven and environmentally-conscious manufacturer of Electric Vehicles (EVs).  Under the leadership of Mike McQuary, CEO and former MindSpring entrepreneur, Wheego Electric Cars has become a leader in the integration of advanced technology components.  Wheego Electric Cars is one of the first EV companies to deliver affordable fully capable, street legal all-electric cars for everyday consumer use. The Wheego line of electric vehicles is emission-free, making them an ideal choice for consumers, fleets and businesses who want to reduce their carbon footprint. Wheego is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The cars are assembled in Ontario, California.

For more information about Wheego, visit the company website at www.wheego.net. To inquire about dealership opportunities,email info@wheego.net.

TAMPA –

A version of the future arrived at eight city parking lots Wednesday.

Ten charging stations for electric cars sparked to life, marking the first time in Tampa’s history that such innovations were plunked down amid parking meters and pay stations.

It’s only [...]]]> by Keith Morelli for Tampa Bay Online, Oct. 13, 2011

TAMPA –

A version of the future arrived at eight city parking lots Wednesday.

Ten charging stations for electric cars sparked to life, marking the first time in Tampa’s history that such innovations were plunked down amid parking meters and pay stations.

It’s only the beginning, city officials and industry captains vowed.

Today, 10 stations. Tomorrow … who knows?

Cue “The Jetsons” theme.

“Meet Bob Buckhorn …”

Tampa’s mayor pulled up to the downtown Jackson Street parking lot in a borrowed, silent Chevrolet Volt, parked it next to the charging station, plugged it in and juiced up the fire engine red car.

“It’s as easy as that,” Buckhorn said.

Of course, nobody can predict what the future holds, but one vision is that electric cars will hum along Tampa’s urban landscape a decade or two down the road, and charging stations will be as common as parking spaces.

“We’ve got to reduce the carbon footprint,” Buckhorn said to a small gathering of city employees and reporters Wednesday morning. “We can’t keep doing what we’ve always done.”

He admitted later that the electric car industry is in a conundrum. People are hesitant to buy electric cars because of a lack of charging stations; and there are not many charging stations, which cost $8,000 each, because of the dearth of electric cars on the road.

Industry speculators are hoping that will change.

“My feeling is that electric vehicles will play a very important part in the future of transportation,” said Helda Rodriguez, president and co-founder of NovaCharge, the Tampa company installing the charging stations in the city.

“It isn’t the only technology we’re looking at, though,” she said. “Your vehicle has to match your lifestyle. Some vehicles will run with clean natural gas or another alternative fuel that may be available. But, electric cars will be a big part of fleets and most consumers’ lives. They do solve so many problems for us.

“I don’t envision an all-electric future,” she said. “The future will be a blend of many good technologies each serving a certain function. We have started moving in the right direction.”

The unveiling of the charging stations on Wednesday marked the first time such devices have been placed on city property. But they’re not the first in Tampa.

“We have every type of location,” Rodriguez said, “including corporate parking lots, restaurants, hotels, some shopping areas. It really runs the gamut. We have charging stations in some of the garages of the downtown high-rises, the office buildings.”

She said the hope is to have 150 charging stations in and around the city by the end of the year.

Thanks to a $15 million U.S. Department of Energy grant, there is no cost to the city.

Tampa won’t charge a service fee for use of the charging stations, but motorists will have to pay the normal parking fee in the public lots.

Typically, vehicles with drained batteries will need to be on the charger for four to six hours, Rodriguez said, to get a full charge. The Jackson Street lot charges $1.60 an hour to park.

“So if you’re crossing the Bay to work every day,” she said, “you can park your car where you work and leave it until it’s fully charged.”

Each charging station can power-up all types of electric vehicles from cars to scooters to Segways, Rodriguez said.

Ultimately, she said, the hope is that the industry will reduce carbon emissions from gasoline-powered vehicles and create jobs in the Tampa Bay area.

“We want to see a new burst in our economy with jobs for electric vehicle mechanics and sales people for this new industry,” she said.

The stations are in a network that allows NovaCharge to monitor which ones are being used and which ones aren’t. So, five or 10 years down the road, the company can identify where to install more stations, she said.

Richard Nimphie, owner of Suncoast Electric Vehicles in St. Petersburg, said his dealership has sold eight Wheego electric cars and has orders for several more. He said the total number of fully electric vehicles in use in the Tampa Bay area likely is fewer than 100.

Among the concerns of consumers is the lack of charging stations, he said. “Range anxiety,” he said. “They’re asking, ‘How far can I go on a charge?’ “

But most people who would use an electric car to commute to work wouldn’t need to worry, he said. Cars can go about 100 or more miles on a charge, he said, and 70 percent of working people only drive 15 to 20 miles to work.

“Most people live close enough to where they work that they can charge their cars at their homes overnight,” Nimphie said.

He said Hillsborough Community College just took delivery of an electric van, and his sales staff is constantly making proposals to municipalities across the state to sell them electric fleet cars.

Tampa’s fleet of vehicles has no fully electric cars but does include some hybrids, said Irvin Lee, director of Tampa’s public works department.

The city gets vehicles through a bid process, and manufacturers are welcome to offer up their electric models. But they just aren’t cheap enough to win bids, Lee said.

“We put out the specs and if Chevy wants to bid a Volt, I’m sure they could or would,” he said, “but it’s not going to be at a cost we’re looking for.”

A new Volt costs about $32,000 after a $7,500 federal tax credit.

Hillsborough County commissioners in June voted to install 10 charging stations across the county. Some went into parking lots of four libraries, a downtown parking garage and at the county’s Environmental Protection Commission headquarters.