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EV World Open Access Article
Th!nk city at EVS17, Montreal
When PIVCO faced bankruptcy, Ford Motor Company stepped in and bought control of the tiny Norwegian electric vehicle maker, making the Th!nk the centerpiece of a longer range strategy.

Ford Buys Th!nk EV Manufacturer

Born in Norway as the City Bee, PIVCO's Th!nk EV Gets New Lease On Life


By Bill Moore



Open Access Article Originally Published:

We have scheduled an EV World RealAudio interview with Ford on the company's acquisition of PIVCO. Watch for that interview in the near future

It's been said that "all good things come to those who wait" and in the case of the Th!nk EV and Ford Motor Company, this may very well prove the case.

When tiny PIVCO announced it was closing its doors last fall, having had its financial backers pull the plug on the Norwegian EV maker, it was rumored that the company could be bought for a song.

A few weeks later, a small group of investors including company employees, succeeded in buying the company's assets and announced they would resume production of the little, two seat Th!nk EV pictured at the right.

Then last week, Ford announced they had bought control of the company.

The Th!nk EV is a direct descendant of the City Bee used in the San Francisco station car program. Forty of those early prototype vehicles proved the merit of both the station car concept and the utility of small, rechargeable electric vehicles in urban commuter settings.

The Th!nk EV has a curb weight of 930 kg (1,130 kg max.). It measures 2,991mm (9.4 ft) in length, 1,563mm (5.2 ft) in width. Its wheelbase is 1,970mm (6.4 ft). It seats two passengers who are protected by both seat belts and dual air bags. Its top speed is 90 km/hr (54 mph) with a range of 100 km (60 miles). It comes with all the standard accessories and equipment including heated windshield and rear window glass, 3kW electric heater, provisions for adding a detachable radio/cassette player. The car's third door at the rear provides access to a .56 cubic meter (19.22 cubic ft) luggage space.

The vehicle is front-wheel drive, with manual rack and pinion steering. It has a 28 ft. turning radius. It comes equipped with regenerative braking and dual circuit assisted front disk brakes and rear drum breaks. The 155/70 R 13 tires are low rolling resistance-type to help extend the range of the car.

The Th!nk's electric power plant is a liquid-cooled 3-phase AC induction motor rated at a maximum output of 27kW. It's continuous power output is 17kW at 3,500 rpm. The car is rated to handle up to a 28% grade.

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8 comments so far...

15-Mar-2003
938 		   Rest in peace! In case you haven't heard the plug has been pulled on the Th!nk program. I have had my Th!nk for the last year and it has served me well in my commute to work in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was disappointed that I was not told the battery maintenance would be a cost out of my pocket when I leased the car. When I talked to Ford (both the dealer and corp after the sale) I was basically told tough, if you don't like it return the vehicle. I am saddened the entire EV program has died in California but don't believe it was because of lack of demand. The salesperson who leased my Th!nk had over 100 people on a waiting list. Hopefully, some day we'll be able to drive vehicles that don't require fuel that pollutes our planet and requires the need to invade other contries to support our thirst for petrolium.
Posted by: Steve Butler
09-May-2001
155 		   If only it were easy to acquire an alternative fuelled automobile. I visited Ford's main website and there isn't any information on purchasing or leasing their EV vehicles. Using 'Ask Jeeves' or Ford website's search function all I can get is fluffy blurbs on how green Ford is. All I want is information on purchasing/leasing one.
Posted by: Michael Ma
09-May-2001
156 		   If only it were easy to acquire an alternative fuelled automobile. I visited Ford's main website and there isn't any information on purchasing or leasing their EV vehicles. Using 'Ask Jeeves' or Ford website's search function all I can get is fluffy blurbs on how green Ford is. All I want is information on purchasing/leasing one.
Posted by: Michael Ma
17-May-2001
169 		   I just saw them at the Hertz Car Rental located in Palo Alto, California. They're cute and look great for my commuting needs, basically to school and work. I would love to have one, but it's too pricey at $25,000.00. $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 would be a fairer and more realistic price for a consumer like myself.
Posted by: Robyn Mizushima
22-May-2001
186 		   Love it! Would like to throw a jumper seat in sideways in the trunk much like the land rover. k
Posted by: kristi skelton
21-May-2004
3037 		   Has anyone had this car in -40 for a week long period without any ill effects?"
Posted by: Quinn Beale
25-Jul-2001
254 		   dEAR ev FRIENDS i LIKE TO PURCHASE A THINK VEHICLE SOON, WHERE CAN i BUY ONE AND wHEN? i APPRECIATE A RESPONSE thank you yOURS tanja
Posted by: Tanja wOODS
24-Nov-2001
373 		   I like the fact that it can do 54 mph. My concern would be the price for a 2 seater vehicle. I have many hills in this area, so if it can make it up a steep one- that is a plus. Like many others I'll probably wait until the technology becomes more commonplace and less pricey.
Posted by: Bruce Robinson
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