Is there a Tico-made electric car in your future? There just might be

By Carol Vaughn, ICR Community Reporter for Perez Zeledon

November 28th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) – Just when you thought that Costa Rica’s beaches, rainforests, exotic animals, and peace-loving people might be the most magical things you’ve ever experienced, comes CambYoCar:  a homegrown electric car invented by Jesse Blenn, of Las Tumbas de Baru, Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica.

What?  Yes, Jesse Blenn, a 58-year old expat from Kansas, USA, former airplane mechanic and blimp-design consultant, has invented Costa Rica’s first electric car called CambYoCar.  And he invented it on his fruit farm in southern Costa Rica, using mainly balsa wood and aluminum.

Mr. Blenn has designed a simplified car frame and power train which can be assembled in most auto shops, from balsa wood and aluminum, instead of expensive imported steel, which requires costly heavy machinery.  We’re thinking Costa Rica cottage industry here – jobs for lots of folks – and balsa seems to grow just about everywhere.

The more elaborate parts of the car will be manufactured in the CambYoCar factory, an abandoned guava jelly plant between San Isidro de El General and Dominical, on the Pacific side.  Mr. Blenn has incorporated his ample skills as an airplane mechanic as well as borrowed techniques from airplane design to make this unique car design.  He eventually hopes to export basic kits to enable cars to be built anywhere, in under one week of work each.

Hold on, is this for real?  Mr. Blenn says he is forging ahead with the support of private investors, his own money, and an award his wife’s company won for seed capital from the Banca Para el Desarollo: 30% Free; and 70% a low interest loan.  Help in administering the funds will come from UNA Incuba, the business incubator of the Universidad Nacional, who will also help with marketing strategies.

Blenn plans to begin selling CambYoCar for $22,000, in early 2015.

Interesting features of CambYoCar will be, according to Blenn:

Driver sits in middle of car; better visibility and safety; car seats four people comfortably.

Optional four wheel drive.

Standard ground clearance of 8”, adjustable by air.

Standard 2:1 reduction gear engaged for steepest slopes.

Electric door closings.

Projected heads-up display instrument panel.

Use of renewable teak and pejibaye wood for interior trim.

Designed for 35 mph crash tests, using aviation-type energy absorbers.

More information is available at www.CambyoCar.com 

Carol Vaughn

Carol Vaughn is an Inside Costa Rica Community Reporter covering Perez Zeledon.

Carol Vaughn holds a Master’s Degree in Performing Arts and is retired from a career as a tap dancer and teacher. She moved to Costa Rica two years ago from Washington, DC, and settled into a cabin on the banks of the Quebradas River in Perez Zeledon.

She also blogs for AngloINFO and is a volunteer Warden for the US Embassy for Perez Zeledon, helping out fellow Americans in emergencies.

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