new 4 wheel vehicle certification (was Re: Sparrow II)

[Chris Maresca <ckm@crust.net>]

On Mon, 30 Jul 2001, Tim Clevenger wrote:

[snip]

> >As far as I can tell, at this point he is the ONLY manufacturer of fully
> >enclosed EVs that are actually available for purchase by individuals.
> 
> I wish there was some way around the four-wheel certification process--or at 
> least a way to make it affordable for entrepreneurs.  I think the Sparrow 
> concept in a two-seat four-wheeler would sell even better than the Sparrow.

Speaking of 4 wheel certification, what are the barriers to getting
something certified?

I seem to recall that the Zebra Motors (formerly Rennaisance Motors) sport
EV was built and licensed for $2 million, which is really nothing if you
are talking about a well funded startup, esp. since most of that was
probably R&D.

That would suggest that it's not that hard to get a 4 wheeled EV
certified.  It may be a pain and lengthy, but not expensive.  This might
be esp. true if the vehicle is not an ICE.

I think that the major problem may be that there is a lack of funding
available for EV startups.  In that sense, Corbin may be doing a world of
good by giving us a real-life example.  Same with Honda/Toyota and their
hybrids.

On a similar note, Weststart's (formerly CalStart) Alameda facility was
closed due to lack of funding.  That's a bummer, since the Bay Area is
very fertile ground for high tech.

Chris.

--
chris maresca
      internet systems architect -- www.chrismaresca.com

"linux, only up 133 days, because california has flaky power... "