Five Passenger TH!NK Ox Introduced at Geneva Auto Show

Norwegian car maker TH!NK unveiled a new model, a five seater, the TH!NK Ox, at the Geneva Auto Show. The production model is said to closely resemble the concept car. The base model Ox, scheduled for production in 2011, will have a range of about 125 miles (200 kilometers) on a charge and a top speed of about 80 mph (130km/hr).

A crossover, the TH!NK Ox is an electric five-seat car close to the size of a sport utility vehicle but lighter and more aerodynamic.

In a related announcement GE said it is ramping up its efforts to enable global electrification of transportation by investing in $4 million in TH!NK and $20 million in A123Systems. GE is now A123’s largest cash investor. TH!NK has signed a commercial supply agreement with lithium-ion battery manufacturer A123Systems. The A123 supply agreement provides TH!NK with patented Nanophosphate™ lithium-ion batteries for the TH!NK City, now in production at the company’s factory in Norway. Think is delivering TH!NK City cars in Norway, with international sales to follow later in the year.

We see many important opportunities emerging from our new relationship with GE. This relationship will help TH!NK – the manufacturer of the first highway-approved electric car in mass production – to stay at the forefront of electric vehicle technology.

--Jan-Olaf Willums, TH!NK CEO, at the Geneva Auto Show

The following was adapted from the TH!NK website for the concept car. I would not expect all of them to appear in the production car:

An unpainted and recyclable exterior and a 95% recyclable interior material, is made possible through the ABS and PP interior systems. A solar panel in the roof keeps the vehicle’s interior cool when the engine is switched off, or can even supply enough power to run the sound system on the beach.

The base model of the TH!NK Ox will have a 60kW electrical powertrain, capable of accelerating to 100km/hr in less than 8.5 seconds.

The TH!NK Ox Platform design allows two different standards of battery packs:

• High stack: two compartments, allows use of low cost, high range sodium batteries
• Low stack: gives space for flat Li Ion packs, allows lower/upper frame for sports car and flat flow applications

The Li-ion batteries can be charged to 80% capacity in less than an hour with a high power, off-board fast charger. Charging the TH!NK Ox from zero to a fully charged state from a standard 230V/16A European outlet, will take approximately 12 hours using the onboard charger.

Batteries account for 350 kg of the cars total weight of 1500 kg.

Full specifications can be found here.

The Ox is a platform concept, designed for electric drive vehicles, for both the European, North American and Asian markets. Several models are possible in the future. The MPV version is suggested as a taxi with a larger luggage space. It is designed for easy entry and exit, and a spacious and easy access luggage trunk. The coupé and sports versions have a larger battery capacity for higher performance. The sports version would have a higher top speed and a range extended to up to 450km, a range also relevant for the taxi version.

TH!NK has more than 17 years of experience in developing and producing electric vehicles. Today, 1,200 TH!NKs are driving on Norwegian roads. The new TH!NK City is a fifth-generation electric vehicle assembled in Norway. Series production of the TH!NK City car started late last year and the first cars will be delivered to Norwegian customers. At the Geneva Show, it announced the TH!NK City’s launch in selected markets in Europe later this year. The capacity of its first assembly plant in Aurskog, outside Oslo, is presently being increased to 10,000 cars per year, which Think expects to reach during 2009.

Although it will not be on the market until 2011, and the price is unknown, the TH!NK Ox would appear to be the first electric vehicle that could easily replace many cars now in use.  With an optional battery pack that would extend the range to 270 miles (450 km) it could be used for most needs. 

Comments

[George Bruce]

As a marketing matter, I think they need a better name than "ox" at least for the English speaking markets.

[Alex]

Bad power/weight ratio. Too heavy.

[bigTom]

Alex: It sounds like you would be a potential customer for the "sports" version, which it claims will have higher performance (and you can bet a higher price tag).

[Don B.]

Yeah! Why Ox?! "Ox" is something you would name a small truck or utility vehicle. Does the vehicle (minus batteries) weigh 1150kg due to safety devices...or are the recyclable materials heavier than "normal" production stock?

Don B.

[monte lamer]

I love the name Ox. It wasn't long ago when every family had their own ox that was the beast of burden. Transport,food, wool, and tilling the field. A good provider the Ox. Butter, Milk, and Cheese. Perhaps the todays ox will be the new beast of burden. Simple and close to the earth. How lovely! I want an Ox. I also think the manufacturer should make a deal with and American Auto company like Ford or Chev to use an American factory to begin a North American assembly line. Sincerely

[Alex]

@bigTom:

Sorry bigTom I ride bikes only.

[Bill]

Zap vehicles run on electricity, release 98% fewer pollutants than gas cars and require NO GAS or oil changes! Good option, help the environment

[PM]

Green energy is definitely the best solution in most cases. Technology like solar energy, wind power, fuel cells, zaps electric vehicles, EV hybrids, etc have come so far recently. Green energy even costs way less than oil and gas in many cases.

[PM]

Green energy is definitely the best solution in most cases. Technology like solar energy, wind power, fuel cells, zaps electric vehicles, EV hybrids, etc have come so far recently. Green energy even costs way less than oil and gas in many cases.

[Lloyd Weaver]

I agree with George Bruce above, too heavy. And are those batteries as recyclable as lead acid? Weight = price, which looks like too high up for the average person.
How about this spec: An EV with 226 MPGe diesel fuel equivalent, 4 passenger high-streamlined composite construction, powered by 24 KW lead acid (100% recyclable) battery pack. Should cruise about 260 miles at 60 MPH with driver only (80% battery pack conversion factor). Calculations also show 0-60 in 8.2 seconds (driver only), 11% slope at 45 mph, top speed 120 mph. Cost per mile including 93,000-mile battery replacement is 2.89 cents/mile at 15 cents per KWH (assumes 85% charging efficiency). Battery replacement about 93,000 miles, about 358 charge cycles per batter pack using 12V deep cycle batteries. I know I want one. For more info call Lloyd at 1.207.721.9949.

[NiraliSherni]

Great looking vehicle and if it can actually have that optional battery pack, that range of 450 kms is awesome! I really think that electric vehicles are the transport for the future and it seems that more and more auto manufacturers round the world are realizing this.

[Auto Transport]

5 passenger? That seems like way too many for that small car.

[oilfield equipment]

i agree with this last comment. wow 5 people in this car.

[Auto Transport]

So how does the TH!NK compare to the Prius or Chevy Volt?

[Brain]

Green energy is definitely the best solution in most cases.

[windpowercost]

Your articles is sublim. I like reading you. Keep on! Thanks to go green energy: http://www.windpowercost.org

[windpowercost]

Green energy will be more and more popular,I have a dream to own a car like this.

[Arian]

It seems like the landscape for auto transportation is rapidly changing. We are entering an age where we don’t have to rely on gas as a tool of transportation. Soon gas powered vehicles will become obsolete, and people will only use electric powered cars and trucks as their primary form of transportation.

[Lead Acid Battery]

I second that, i'd love to own a practical green car.

[truck rental]

Stylish Vehicle ! The name OX is stylish and easy to pronounce. I love its name . More Over, The OX is looking one of the trendy car. I hope it will get lot of customers. How energy it will consume ? What is its average ?

[Red Wine]

Consumption of ethanol - the type of alcohol present in alcoholic beverages - in small doses has been linked to several health benefits such as lower risk of diabetes and heart disease. In a study conducted by the Danish Epidemiology Science Center at...

[Bicycle Headlights]

Well now, I was searching for blogs on fitness or health when i came across this post. Although not exactly what I was expecting I will give it ****.

[Android Tablet PCs]

I love the name Ox. It wasn't long ago when every family had their own ox that was the beast of burden. Transport,food, wool, and tilling the field.Android Tablets A good provider the Ox. Butter, Milk, and Cheese. Perhaps the todays ox will be the new beast of burden. Simple and close to the earth. How lovely! I want an Ox. I also think the manufacturer should make a deal with and American Auto company like Ford or Chev to use an American Android Phone factory to begin a North American assembly line. 2945abc45 0422 Sincerely

[アニメ 販売]

a North American assembly line. 2945abc45 0422 Sincerely

[Filipino Car Lease Broker Los Angeles]

I'd buy that car!

[Dentist Hollywood]

I like that is has 5 seats and is electric, not bad looking either.

[Air Purifier]

I like that is has 5 seats and is electric, not bad looking either.

[Rug Cleaning Los Angeles]

Who knew that Norway was so awesome? Glad to have Norwegian blood in me. :)

[Therapist New york]

It's 2011, is this around? I would purchase one of these.

[fish tv]

So this is already available in Norway and is it now being driven in Europe? When will it make it to the US??

[Tours in Venice]

Looks like an auto show that I would go to.

[Furniture Stores in Los Angeles]

By now they must have taken over Norway! I'd love to visit Oslo and rent one.