Westward Industries is interested in bringing French Mia EVs to Canada http://www.driving.ca/cars/This+event+electric/8035614/story.html [image] This event was electric By Andrew McCredie, Vancouver Mar 1 2013
[image http://www.vancouversun.com/cars/8035616.bin The lead Volts Andrew McCredie/png ] A couple of unusual EVs make special appearance The thing about parades is you never know what’s coming around the corner. That’s part of the appeal. So it was Sunday morning at Dueck Downtown on Terminal Avenue in Vancouver when I showed up to check out the marshalling of an electric vehicle parade hosted by the car dealership in conjunction with the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association [ http://veva.bc.ca ] (VEVA). Turned out that not only was the Volt I’m driving as part of a long term test for my Driving...Unplugged column/blog pencilled in as a parade participant, I’d be leading a pack (a shock?) of EVs from the dealership across the Second Narrows to Deep Cove. What’s more, I was introduced to a Manitoban who had travelled across the Prairies to what he figures is the land of milk and honey when it comes to electric vehicles. Rob Rose is a Winnipegger on a Mia mission, and no it doesn’t involve flying into enemy territory and bringing soldiers home. Rather, it involves coming to friendly territory in search of markets for an electric vehicle, specifically, the French-built Mia. Rose is a principal investor, and factory landlord, of the company that produces the gas-powered G0-4, a successful three-wheeler used extensively throughout the States as a parking enforcement vehicle. The Manitoba company behind the GO-4, Westward Industries, has been trying to build an all-electric version. “We spent a lot of time and money trying to convert them to all-electric power with no success,” explained Rose. “Then one day I came across a MIA on the Internet and it was exactly what we were looking for.” That is, an all-electric small vehicle with centre seating for the driver, sliding doors on each side and a good cargo hold. And ideal for couriers and parking enforcement. Rose contacted Mia Electric in France with interest in bringing the cars to Canada, but was initially rebuffed: “They told me they weren’t ready for North America. But when they found out we were the guys behind the G0-4 they changed their minds.” After much investment — and paperwork — Rose took delivery of two Mias in Manitoba. The only other Mia on the North American continent is at a U.S. military base in Florida. As big a job as it was getting the unusual EVs into the country, getting them registered has proven a larger task still. “We gave a big presentation to Manitoba government representatives and those from the provincial insurance company and realized they weren’t quite ready for this,” Rose explained.“I told them I’d come back in a few years when they are ready, and I’m off to British Columbia.” According to Rose, B.C. is the place where “it’s all happening” for EVs. “We have one charging station in Manitoba. It’s at Manitoba Hydro’s offices and there is never a car at it because no one knows how to use it,” he noted, adding he’s heard B.C. will have 600 charging stations by springtime. “Pretty soon I’m going to be able to drive one of these Mias from Kelowna to Tijuana, Mexico.” Well, that is when he convinces ICBC. For the past week he and a broker have been hard at work attempting to register and insure the two Mias. “They told me I had to find a second serial number on the vehicles,” said a clearly exasperated Rose, who had already spent hours looking for the first serial numbers. Unlike North American cars, where the serial number is on the front windshield, the French electric vehicle’s numbers are under a flap behind the back seat. So much for B.C. being EV friendly. Rose is undeterred though, and as of press time was hard at work to introduce yet another electric vehicle model to the province. [© The Vancouver Sun] ... http://westwardindustries.com/contact-us/ WESTWARD INDUSTRIES [email protected] 613 Marion Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R2J0K2 T: 204 594 4100 F: 204 231 2607 http://www.vancouversun.com/cars/Chevy+Volts+lead+charge+during+electric+vehicle+parade+Mias/8034305/story.html ... electric vehicle parade, but two Mias MIA ... Rather, it involves coming to friendly territory in search of markets for an electric vehicle, specifically, the French-built Mia. Rose is a principal ... 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