Genovation’s Creating Green Cars Right Under Our Noses

I’ve been looking for an eco-friendly car and had no idea Rockville startup Genovation Cars, Inc. existed, never mind that their administrative offices and research facilities are on East Gude Drive.

Anyone looking for vehicles costing less than $30,000 that run on less than 4 cents a mile, will find their car at Genovation™.

Genovation is a low-budget alternative to those who want a conventional-looking electric vehicle, but without dishing out the dough for a Volt or a Tesla. The company is developing cars with green bodies, green frames, and green interiors by researching the use of bamboo, flax seed and other natural fibers for the composite body panels. They also hope to use the resin from soybeans to reduce the use of petrochemicals used for fiberglass by 80%. Their intent is to use recycled steel for the frame.

This week the company selected and contracted with American Dynamics Flight Systems (ADFS) of Jessup, Md. to perform the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis of Genovation’s G2 electric car. These will be plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), a combination of battery technology that can be efficiently charged when plugged into a standard electric outlet coupled with a traction motor that propels the car with a smooth, powerful feel. Back in May they selected and contracted with Tata Technologies to design and prototype its G2 model. Tata Technologies’ parent company, Tata Motors, recently purchased the Jaguar and Land Rover automobile lines from Ford Motor Company.

Founded in 2007 by Andrew Saul, the scion of Washington, D.C. real estate mogul B.F. Saul II, Genovation also modifies pre-owned 2000-2004 Ford Focus sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks, removing their internal combustion powertrains and replacing them with complete electric drive components. The conversion, called the Genovation G1, costs $22,000 plus tax, with the vehicle delivered five months after ordering. The process starts with a $2,500 down payment, and a clean accident-free Focus has to be supplied by the customer. Otherwise the company will provide a Focus base car for $6,000 if a customer does not want to hunt for a used Focus.

Long term, it is Genovation’s goal to operate from a business plan that attains profitability building only 1,000 units a year through manufacturing “pods” that require only a few robots, a departure from the Detroit manufacturing model. To achieve this goal Genovation plans to rely heavily on small teams of well-trained employees. “With this model, we can be nimble and market driven in order to react to where there is a demand and volume is achieved through deployment of multiple pods,” said Mr. Saul.

I must agree that Genovation differentiates itself from its competition with a better understanding of its clientele, because I’m concerned about spikes in the future cost of gas and want to be as green-conscious as possible, but I also want a sports car and I can’t find one I can afford!

Genovation tells us “One hundred years ago, there were nearly 100 electric car manufacturers in America. By 1920, nearly all were extinct. Now they’re roaring back with a vengeance.” We certainly hope so!

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