Think EV Coming to US

Norwegian EV manufacturer Think has plans to build a factory here in the States that can employ 300 people and roll about 16,000 lithium-ion-powered cars a year off the line, to start. The company hopes to ramp up employment to nearly 1000, including engineers, and make 60,000 cars a year eventually.

Think said in a press release that it is talking to reps from eight states, including hard-hit Michigan, about where to build the plant. It’s also applied for loans from the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program, but like any government process, it’s a slow one.

Green Car Advisor gave an update on the shaky process, due to Think’s filing for reorganization in Norway in late 2008. A spokesperson told Senior Editor John O’Dell that the company will press ahead with plans to build the cars in the U.S. whether or not its DoE loan goes through, and that it could be building demonstration and fleet cars here in limited numbers next year.