Positive News for Ellicottville
“Green” ATV Machines to be Manufactured Locally
By Jim Gill

Ellicottville, a former manufacturing center and currently a major tourist destination is the new home of EVS, an All Terrain Vehicle manufacturer formerly located in Waukegan, Illinois. Headquartered in Ellicottville, the company has the potential to bring manufacturing back to the area employing a large number of people as a manufacturer of transportation products using green energy. The announcement provided the Town and Village of Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County and members of the media in Western New York some long overdue positive news.

The official opening took place on Monday, April 13th as the former Illinois company Electric Vehicle Systems Inc.® under new ownership held its first news conference. Long time Ellicottville resident and CEO Bill Northrup along with executives from his new company were on hand as they officially opened company headquarters located in the North Park Industrial Center. Northrup discussed some of the products on display in the showroom area then provided a tour of the factory for Congressman Eric Massa, public officials and members of the media.

The company was founded eight years ago by two brothers in Waukegan, IL. who over the years developed proprietary electric technology for quiet, non-polluting all-terrain vehicles. They introduced the first electric, zero emission adult sized ATV with sufficient power and torque to handle extreme terrain with speeds up to 35mph. Powered by a 28 horsepower electric motor delivering 374 foot-pounds of adjustable on demand torque the EVS units provide more than three times the torque of similar sized gas ATVs.

With over 100 vehicles already sold mainly for recreation, there are a number of additional sales opportunities including, farm work, work around the home, construction, city law enforcement, sports, government security agencies, park and forest security and maintenance, golf courses, large industrial plants and the list goes on while supporting green energy and green technology. A fill up or in the case of EVS units a fresh battery charge is simply a matter of plugging the unit into the nearest 110 volt outlet and several hours later at a cost of approximately 30 cents you are ready to go!

During his opening address owner and CEO Bill Northrup commented “EVS is extremely happy to be open and operating in Ellicottville and Western New York, if we do what we expect, Ellicottville may become known for innovative green technology as much as outstanding ski resorts and all-season recreation.”

Member of Congress for the 29th District Eric Massa stated during his address “From my first day in office I have been supportive of green energy and green technology, Electric Vehicle Systems has created an innovative vehicle that will not only protect the environment, but will also help farmers to do their agricultural work in a carbon-neutral, cost effective way. As the only member of the Agricultural Committee from New York State, this advancement is very important to me and to our area’s significant number of farmers. Electric Vehicle System is a welcome addition to Western New York’s growing green technology field, and I’m happy to celebrate the grand opening of this facility and the creation of new jobs in the 29th Congressional District.

During the plant tour Congressman Massa donned protective headgear, had a brief lesson on the controls and after advising everyone to stand clear of the ATV took a spin out of the building and around the parking lot managing to return the vehicle to the point of departure unscathed. Later when everyone gathered in the conference room viewing futuristic designs and applications for the new technology, Massa mentioned a number of areas in Washington where he could be influential in driving sales for the EVS units including sending National Security Officials to the Ellicottville facility and arranging a demonstration of the units in the Capital City.

The EVS facility located in the former Stride Tool building is fully capable of handling all aspects of design, testing, manufacturing, sales and customer service with ample room for expansion as the business progresses. And while the company has a very unique product in the growing ATV market, they are already moving forward with new technology in designs and power including a patented in-line brushless motor and improved battery technology. One of Northrup’s future goals includes bringing the manufacturing of new technology for batteries and other parts in house, Congressman Massa offered assistance in gaining funding for this part of the business.

Currently EVS have distributors in eleven states and one located in the United Kingdom, the non-polluting ATVs sell for $7,000 retail, just slightly more than the standard gasoline powered units.