Koreans to Make Tiny EVs in South Carolina

Korean automaker CT&T has big plans with its tiny e-Zone low-speed electric vehicle. The company announced recently it will invest $21 million to build its first North American production line in South Carolina. The plant will have a capacity of 30,000 EVs per year, but initial plans call for 10,000 EVs to be produced utilizing a single shift of 370 workers.

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is also thrilled with the idea of bringing green vehicles to his community, which he also sees as a boost in local economy.

"At the moment, these vehicles best work where people live, work and play in the same area — that's the best fit. The thing that I think is bothering the EV industry right now is the public wanting something that does the same thing that the petrol vehicle does, and that's not currently possible in an affordable method," Artie Perry, 2AM's chief operating officer, was quoted saying by the AP.

The first American-made, Korean-designed cars to roll of the new production lines at the South Carolina factory will start at $13,000 and are aimed at urban consumers. Well, with a top speed of about 45 mph, an option for a lithium-ion battery with a range of 70 miles per charge, the e-Zone could be a real hit on the American market.

"As you move yourself towards a fixed income, you can't take these radical turns in the upswing of what it costs you to operate your car," CT&T chief operating officer Joseph White said. Apparently, White sees a market of 38 million consumers whose daily driving patterns mesh with CT&T's vehicles.