The new Think City EV was launched in Europe this month at the 78th International Motor Show in Geneva. Think Global also showcased their future concept car, the TH!NK Ox, and announced a strategic partnership with energy giant GE.

The new Think City is the latest much improved version of the Norwegian-built electric car originally designed by Pivco and bought by Ford in 1999. Now back under Norwegian ownership at Think Global, the car has been totally re-engineered producing a car with an improved design, longer range and a four-star NCAP rating pending.

Think Global claim to have dramatically improved the battery range from around 50-60 miles to a much more respectable 105-125 miles using 28.3 kWh capacity Zebra sodium or lithium-ion batteries. The 95% recyclable TH!NK City meets all European and US safety requirements and is capable of a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h) with an acceleration of 0-50km/h in 6.5 seconds (0-80km/h in 16.0 seconds). A full recharge takes 10 hours (usually overnight) using a standard electric socket, and the battery can be topped-up at anytime.

The Think City drives like an ordinary (but plastic-bodied) super-mini. After the instruments and systems have initialised, turning the ‘ignition’ key gives the green light to go. Using a standard T-bar to engage the car in drive mode, the Think City is then ready to pull away using the accelerator as you would in a normal car. The main differences to get use to are the lack of engine noise (there isn’t one!), and the now audible suspension, tyre, surface and wheel bearing noise that increase with speed.

With production of the Think City already in progress (started in late 2007), the first batch of cars will be delivered to the Norwegian customers in the Spring of 2008, followed by the first International sales in Denmark and Sweden later in the year. The car is then due to be launched in the UK (right-hand drive), Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in 2009.

The forecast UK price is expected to be around £14,000 for the car plus around £140 per month lease for a ‘mobility pack’ that includes the costs of a replacement battery if needed. Although relatively high compared to other similarly sized cars, the price of the Think City can be offset against cost savings on fuel, parking, congestion and road tax. The 100% Congestion Charge discount could be worth over £2000 per year for commuters regularly entering London’s Congestion Charge zone.

Think Global have also announced a partnership with GE who have invested in Think and lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123Systems. GE Energy Financial Services and GE Global Research are backing electrification developments in the transportation sector as part of GE’s ecomagination initiative, the company’s commitment to help its customers meet their environmental challenges while expanding its own portfolio of cleaner energy products.

Think CEO Jan-Olaf Willums commented: “We see many important opportunities emerging from our new relationship with GE. This relationship will help Think – the manufacturer of the first highway-approved electric car in mass production – to stay at the forefront of electric vehicle technology.”

At the Geneva show, Think Global also took the opportunity to showcase the concept TH!NK Ox, the first five-seater electric car, which has similar design and environmental solutions to TH!NK city. The concept car features TH!NK connectivity; a platform of interactive applications for battery monitoring, drive- and energy optimizing, support and entertainment.

Sources: Think Global, Autocar

View the Think City on YouTube: Danny’s Contentment