Think sets out US ambitions

Oslo-based electric car company Think Global is bringing its highway-capable vehicle to North America. The firm plans to ship its first US car next year after a pilot programme with selected customers. Prices will be roughly the same as a Toyota Prius, executives have said.

The company's Think City car has a top speed of 65mph and a range of 110 miles, which operations manager Vicki Northrup said makes it suitable for more than just inner city driving.

"It's ideal for urban downtown areas, but even the average soccer mom running around doing errands during the day will find it useful, rather than burning up carbon on five mile trips here and there," said Northrup.

She added that there is defined target demographic for the vehicle, arguing that the company hopes to attract interest from corporate fleet vehicles, residential users and the government market. "Until this point they haven't had a highway-capable vehicle to purchase with their fleets," she said.

The car, which has been crash tested in Europe, is awaiting a crash test certificate in the US. Think North America will initially take shipments of cars from Norway, but Northrup sees opportunities to open multiple manufacturing plants in the US.

The Menlo-Park, California-based subsidiary is half-owned by the Norwegian parent company, while cleantech venture firm RockPort Capital Partners is sharing the other half equally with Kleiner Perkins Caulfield and Byers.

The vehicle, which is starting production in Europe now, uses a sodium battery. Think Global is in talks with lithium battery technology companies A123 and EnerDel, which could indicate a future change in chemistry. The firm is also planning a larger four to five seat electric vehicle to be released by 2011, which it unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.