Zenn to close Quebec electric car plant

Zenn Motor Company says it will close facilities in Quebec's Laurentians region, as it phases out production of low-speed electric vehicles.

The Toronto-based company indicated Monday it will close its St-Jrome, Que., plant in April 2010.

The facility, north of Montreal, employs 11 people.

Earlier this fall, Zenn said it was shifting production efforts from manufacturing electric cars to energy storage technology.

The company's Zenn LSV 2010 model will be the final version of the electric car it produces. The current Zenn vehicle Zero Emission No Noise is intended for urban commuters and applications such as resorts, gated communities, airports and campuses.

The Zenn vehiclehas been produced since 2006.

Earlier this year, Zenn was excluded from an Ontario electric car rebate program, which offers up to $10,000 when buying plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, because its cars have not been deemed safe for highway use.

The three-door hatchback can attain a speed of 40 km/h, with a range of up to 80 kilometres.

Zenn said it will continue to fulfil service requirements for the vehicles already sold.