THINK(TM) has delivered its first U.S.-built cars to the state of Indiana for use in its government fleet. The 15 vehicles, which were shipped from THINK's manufacturing facility in Elkhart, IN, will be the first electric passenger vehicles with American-made, lithium-ion batteries used in a U.S. fleet operation.
The California Air Resources Board recently approved the THINK City as a zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV). The approval paves the way for THINK to sell the all-electric THINK City in California, 12 other states, and the District of Columbia that have adopted California's ZEV requirements.
"CARB certification is critical for fleet sales, not just in California, but in the other CARB states as well," said THINK Spokesperson Brendan Prebo. "These states make up more than 35 percent of the automobile market in the U.S. and represent a significant share of the fleet market."
"We've made a strategic decision to target initially the many millions of fleet vehicles in operation in the U.S. market," said THINK CEO Barry Engle. "These fleets can jumpstart vehicle electrification in America's cities and help push the industry past early adopters into mainstream consumer markets. Fleet sales will drive up vehicle and battery production volumes and drive down costs, which will benefit retail consumers."
The economics of electric vehicles for fleet operators in terms of cost of ownership are highly positive. With defined travel routes and centralized recharging and service, fleets are the natural platform to launch this new industry.