Think Provides 100 Electric Cars to Austrian EV Project

01 April, 2009 01:10:00

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Think has signed a deal with the Austrian government to deliver 100 TH!NK city electric cars as a part of Vlotte EV project.

The government initiated the Vlotte project which includes dedicated use of 100 electric cars as an important part of this plan to achieve environmental targets.

The project was launched in the region of Bregenz this month with the purpose to fully demonstrate EV functionality as well as to understand electric cars’ future impact on the electric grid. This initial project will become a role model for similar electric vehicle projects to follow in Austria.

"This is the first project of what could become several similar government supported projects in Austria in 2009. We are very encouraged to see the Austrian government and Vlotte take an active role in the transition to electric mobility" said Richard Canny, CEO of Think.

The Vlotte Project will introduce 100 TH!NK city
electric cars to fully demonstrate EV functionality
as well as to understand electric cars’ future
impact on the electric grid.

Deliveries of the first new TH!NK city EVs to Vorarlberger Kraftwerke in Bregenz took place end February. The total project is for 100 cars, of which Think expects to provide the majority of the vehicles. The cars will be used by utilities, municipals and several fleet operators.

"The future belongs to the electric vehicle. With the "Vlotte" (www.vlotte.at) project, we are making a reality today of something that is still discussed as future of mobility elsewhere. The Vlotte project is regarding mobility as an innovative energy service. This is a first example of the future link between the transportation sector, utility companies and information technology" said Dr. Eveline Steinberger, Managing Director of the Austrian Federal Climate- and Energy fund. The initiative promotes climate-related and energy-related research in Austria.

Think plans to launch its $31,000 TH!NK City across European cities this year and in the U.S. in 2010, but due to global economic crisis it has been searching for funding.

Earlier this month, the company said it plans to open a new electric car plant and technical center in the United States and has also signed a MOU with Dutch city of Amsterdam to deliver up to 500 TH!NK city vehicles in 2009 to ElmoNet, a subsidiary of Mobility Service Netherlands.

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