Via Press Release:
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C.–Daniel Island residents, Walt and Brenda Thorn, and their son Mark, owners of Lightning Bugz Low Speed Electric Vehicle Rentals, have developed the first solar powered CT&T low speed vehicle in the U.S.
According to Mark Thorn, Managing Partner of the company, “six CT&T c-Zones and a 14 passenger STAR Electric Bus were converted to solar using custom-made, 280 watt solar panels, which were added to or replaced the existing plastic roofs original to the vehicles.”
The primary reason for the conversion, according to Thorn, was to extend the operating range of the vehicles to make them more appealing for rental in large communities like Kiawah and Seabrook Island.
“While we have a good base of business there, the challenge in these markets has always been the distance between areas of interest and the higher speed limits, especially on Kiawah Island. Rental golf carts aren’t allowed on Kiawah. With the implementation of a small fleet of LSVs with solar roofs, we expect to extend operating range 
to a more desirable level,” stated Thorn.
Lightning Bugz is the largest LSV rental company operating in South Carolina with over 40 all electric vehicles that range from the highly popular c-Zone (6 to 8 passengers) to the only solar powered, 14 passenger electric bus for rental in the area.
Beginning its 5th season in business, the company specializes in rentals to vacationers on the Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes Resort, Sullivan’s Island, Kiawah Island, Folly Beach, Daniel Island, Edisto Island and Seabrook Island, as well as to a variety of corporate clients and wedding planners.
“We are primarily a rental company for electric vehicles. While we will help service the few CT&T used vehicles we and others have sold over the years, we don’t look for new service customers for other golf carts or LSV’s,” Thorn said.
Converting golf carts and LSVs to Solar isn’t practical for normal use due to the high capital cost, according to the Thorns.
