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Barefoot Motors has first green ATV

FORMER ZAP PRESIDENT EYES $8 BILLION MARKET FOR UTILITY VEHICLES

SEBASTOPOL – What happens when rising demand for heavy-duty utility vehicles collides with soaring fuel prices and anti-pollution initiatives?

According to former Zap executives Max Scheder-Beischin and Melissa Brandao, the answer is obvious: an electric ATV.

Market research convinced the two that the time is right to challenge the traditional gas-powered off-road vehicles used by farmers and ranchers to check irrigation systems, herd cattle and generally get around the spread.

"Gas-powered ATVs are up to 10 times more polluting than cars, and they're a noisy, obtrusive presence in rural areas," said Mr. Scheder-Beischin.

"Replacing a single gas-powered ATV with ours is the equivalent of taking four cars off the road."

Yet the market for heavy-duty, as opposed to recreational, ATVs is growing by 6 percent a year, the fastest-growing segment of an $8 billion global market for ATVs. The average farmer has five or six.

"They've replaced tractors, pickups and even horses as the major means of transport on a farm," said Ms. Brandao.

Mr. Scheder-Beischin, president of the electric car developer Zap between 2005 and 2007, and Ms. Brandao, formerly Zap director of consumer products, determined that lithium battery technology is up to the demands of farm use.

"With our Earth Utility Vehicle there's less noise, less heat and zero emissions," said Ms. Brandao.

Electric utility vehicles are not new, she pointed out. Forklifts have been powered by electricity for years.

A green ATV will initially be costlier than a traditional model. Until Barefoot acquires efficiencies of scale, an electric ATV will sell for $12,000-$15,000 instead of the $9,000-$10,000 charged for conventional ATVs.

But the savings on fuel will run at least $1,000 a year, maintenance is significantly lower and there are potential rebates or eco-friendly incentives from the California Air Resources Board.

"It's the perfect solution for farmers," said electric vehicle pioneer and Zap Zero Air Pollution founder James McGreen.

"Farmers don't travel great distances, but they need a lot of torque, which the Barefoot vehicle delivers. The ATVs aren't in constant use so they're easily recharged. And if you have a solar system, as many wineries now do, you can close the energy loop completely," he said.

The Barefoot partners, aided by science show Mythbusters host Jamie Hyneman, built a prototype, which is being beta tested on the varied terrain of Sonoma County.

"ATVs put humans out in nature, so why would people want to go there with a noisy, polluting machine," said Mr. Hyneman.

"I'm familiar with new battery and motor technologies and helped Barefoot put together a prototype in a very short time. I want to help bring them to the point where people will wonder why they ever considered using a gas-powered ATV."

With investment capital – Barefoot is seeking $1 million to $2.5 million – the partners hope to have five to ten prototypes in beta testing locally between the second and fourth quarter of 2008. The higher level of funding would take them from initial prototypes to production, slated for 2009.

"Our intent is to assemble here in Sonoma County, if we possibly can," said Ms. Brandao.

Mr. McGreen, who advised Barefoot on the production aspect, sees no reason why it shouldn't happen.

"Assembling high-quality vehicles is a clean operation and good source of jobs. It also guarantees quality control. I'd love to see the vehicles built here," he said.

The Sonoma County Farm Bureau is eager to connect Barefoot with beta testers, according to bureau director Lex McCorvey. "We're very intrigued with what they have. If they can work with farmers to work out the bugs, they'll have a success."

Barefoot was a finalist in the recent California Clean Tech Open, which has opened doors to the clean-tech and venture communities in the state.

Advisory board member Karen Skelton, former advisor to Al Gore and Tesla Motors, has been championing Barefoot's cause in Sacramento.

In the environmentally aware North Bay, where organic and biodynamic farming is growing by 30 percent a year, the green ATV is sure to be embraced.

"Sonoma County is an extraordinary place to grow this company. It's the greenest county in the country," said Mr. Scheder-Beischin.

"We feel good about working to make it even greener."

For more information, visit www.barefootmotors.com.

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