A Canadianized Chinese
The Maya 300 is actually based on a Chinese car, the Chana Benni, whose design can be credited to styling specialists at Italy's Bertone. The Benni is manufactured by Chana International Corporation in Chongqing (province of Sichuan).
Over there, the car is powered by a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Electrovaya will purchase Bennis with no powertrains so as to fit its electric motor, SuperPolymer battery pack, onboard charger and all the electronic hardware necessary to make them work.
Ontario's ZENN Motor Company uses a similar approach to produce its electric two-seater in a Saint-Jerome, Quebec, plant. Engineless units are bought from French automaker Microcar before final assembly is completed. The ZENN retails for $16,900.
Other electric cars in sight
The Maya 300 won't be the sole vehicle to use SuperPolymer batteries. Last September, Electrovaya got a signed agreement that will see Norway's Miljøbil Grenland AS supply batteries for a new, global-scale electric car. This car will be the Indica EV manufactured by Tata Motors, from India. It will be unveiled next March at the Geneva Motor Show. This will be the result of a partnership agreement Tata agreed to with Electrovaya in October of last year, after its British division (Tata Motors UK) acquired a 50.3-percent share in Miljøbil.
A few months earlier, in May 2008, Electrovaya negotiated another business agreement, this time with Phoenix Motorcars, for the supply of batteries and development of products and manufacturing systems. The California-based firm is trying to sell electric-powered SUVs that are derived from Korea's SsangYong Actyon (much in the same way as the Maya and ZENN).
Unfamiliar company
Electrovaya was established about 20 years ago by Sankar DasGupta, still Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jim Jacobs. Back then, the company was merely a R&D office.
Electrovaya is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) since 2000 and now employs nearly 100 people.
In addition to research, development and production of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in a wide range of industries, including the automotive, aerospace and public health sectors, Electrovaya sells external laptop batteries and a digital PC tablet called Scribbler for mainstream use.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
The Maya 300 is actually based on a Chinese car, the Chana Benni, whose design can be credited to styling specialists at Italy's Bertone. The Benni is manufactured by Chana International Corporation in Chongqing (province of Sichuan).
Over there, the car is powered by a 1.3-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Electrovaya will purchase Bennis with no powertrains so as to fit its electric motor, SuperPolymer battery pack, onboard charger and all the electronic hardware necessary to make them work.
Ontario's ZENN Motor Company uses a similar approach to produce its electric two-seater in a Saint-Jerome, Quebec, plant. Engineless units are bought from French automaker Microcar before final assembly is completed. The ZENN retails for $16,900.
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| The Maya 300 is actually a reworked, rebadged Chana Benni from China. |
Other electric cars in sight
The Maya 300 won't be the sole vehicle to use SuperPolymer batteries. Last September, Electrovaya got a signed agreement that will see Norway's Miljøbil Grenland AS supply batteries for a new, global-scale electric car. This car will be the Indica EV manufactured by Tata Motors, from India. It will be unveiled next March at the Geneva Motor Show. This will be the result of a partnership agreement Tata agreed to with Electrovaya in October of last year, after its British division (Tata Motors UK) acquired a 50.3-percent share in Miljøbil.
A few months earlier, in May 2008, Electrovaya negotiated another business agreement, this time with Phoenix Motorcars, for the supply of batteries and development of products and manufacturing systems. The California-based firm is trying to sell electric-powered SUVs that are derived from Korea's SsangYong Actyon (much in the same way as the Maya and ZENN).
Unfamiliar company
Electrovaya was established about 20 years ago by Sankar DasGupta, still Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jim Jacobs. Back then, the company was merely a R&D office.
Electrovaya is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) since 2000 and now employs nearly 100 people.
In addition to research, development and production of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in a wide range of industries, including the automotive, aerospace and public health sectors, Electrovaya sells external laptop batteries and a digital PC tablet called Scribbler for mainstream use.
photo:Matthieu Lambert
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