Category Archives: Batteries

Prototype Hydrogen Powered Utility Vehicles Developed

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A development team led by the Atlanta-based Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) has developed two hydrogen powered utility vehicles for the Department of Defense’s Defense Logistics Agency.  Other members of the team include the Center for Electromechanics (CEM) at The University of Texas at Austin, vehicle manufacturer Columbia ParCar, the Gas Technology Institute, and fuel cell producer Hydrogenics.  The electric utility vehicle uses a hybrid configuration with a 8.5kw fuel cell, ultracapacitors and a hydrogen supply.  The vehicle performance will be evaluated for one year at a military facility.  Initial testing of the vehicles indicates a range of 300 miles, far exceeding the typical 30-50 mile range of electric utility vehicles currently on the market.  Learn more:  Utexas.edu

News Briefs

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Wheego On GSA Schedule – Wheego Electric Cars recently announced that the irWheego Whip LSV is now on the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule 23 for LSVs. Learn more: PRWeb.com

Ruff & Tuff Has New COO – Ruff & Tuff Electric Vehicle has named Shane Michelli as their new COO.  Learn more: Theoutdoorwire.com

Electrovaya Adds Former GEM CEO – Electrovaya has named Bruce Coventry as Vice President of Operations.  Electrovaya is a developer and manufacturer of lithium ion battery systems for the clean transportation, smart grid power, consumer and healthcare markets. Learn more:  Marketwire.com

Technology News

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HighFlex Solar Product

HighFlex Solar's flexible panel

HighFlex Solar – This early stage startup produces flexible lightweight solar panels for a variety of uses including for the automotive market.

The flexible panels dispense with the ‘glass sandwich’ approach used by most photovoltaic module vendors.  Treves [the CEO] claims that this allows for a six-percent increase in power generation because of increased transmissivity. This also potentially allows a lot more of the environment in — so Treves has to prove that the product can handle thermal cycling, impact and UV.

Learn more:  Greentechmedia.com

Lithium Air Batteries – Companies large and small such as IBM and PolyPlus of Berkeley, CA are working to develop lithium air batteries which could potentially greatly increase the power to weight ratio of lithium based batteries.  PolyPlus uses a ceramic membrane that allows oxygen to pass but not water which would be a problem given the highly reactive nature of lithium.  IBM is on track to develop a demo battery based on their technology for a full-size car by mid-decade.  Learn more:  Forbes.com

Vehicle Reviews

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Here are a couple of electric vehicle reviews covering both ends of the STOV spectrum.

Tazzari Zero
Tazzari Zero

The first is a review of the Tazzari Zero, a high end, sporty commuter vehicle.  Priced at $31,000, the vehicle is capable of highway speeds but has not completed DOT crash testing, and therefore is a high priced low speed vehicle.  Learn more:  Foxnews.com

The second review is of the Polaris Ranger EV, a recent entry into the electric utility vehicle segment.  The Ranger EV is based on the chassis of the gas powered Ranger 400.  It features a 11.5kw battery pack of Trojan batteries, a 30hp motor and a range of 25 to 50 miles depending on the driving mode selected.  Learn more:  Hortweek.com

Battery News

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Worldwide Battery Joins Trojan Battery Network – WorldWide Battery Company recently joined its superior network of master distributors to oversee distribution of Trojan Battery products in the states of Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. WorldWide Battery. WorldWide Battery currently owns and operates six distribution centers spanning a total of over 75,000 square feet of space.  Learn more:  Trojanbattery.com

Fairplay To Use Fullriver AGM Batteries – Fairplay Electric Cars will offer its new EVE LSV Deluxe Limited model exclusively with AGM batteries manufactured by Fullriver Batteries.  The vehicle features an AC motor.  The Fullriver AGM batteries will also be offered as an upgrade in all models of Fairplay cars, including the HOSS for commercial industrial use, the Legacy Golf products and the popular EVE low speed vehicles for street use.  Learn more:  Fullriverdcbattery.com

Electric Truck Developments

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ZeroTruck Corp. – The company’s ZeroTruck, an all-electric zero emission medium duty truck based on the Isuzu N series chassis, was recently added to the GSA schedule for government purchasing. The ZeroTruck features a low cab-forward design, a fully automated transmission, a range u to 100 miles and is fully highway capable. The vehicle is available at Central Truck Center of Landover, Maryland and through select Isuzu dealerships in California, Colorado, North Carolina, and New York. Learn more: Your-story.org Comment: While in theory a vehicle like this could offer competition to utility vehicles that are displacing pickup trucks in certain market segments, at a cost of over $100,000 this is not likely to happen anytime soon. – Marc Cesare

Electric Motor Cars – The company has just introduced a two-seat electric pickup which is based on the Dacia Logan. Dacia is a subsidiary of Renault and the trucks are built in Romania. The company reports the vehicles may be assembled in Florida or Iowa in the future. The pick up sells for $33,950 and van and station wagon versions will also be available. The vehicles are powered by nickel sodium chloride, “ZEBRA” batteries, which will charge in 3 hours on 220 volts or up to 8 hours when powered by 110 volts. The company claims a range of 260 miles and reports that around 100 vehicles will be available in about one month. Currently three dealers distribute the vehicles. Learn more: Trucktrend.com

Zap – According to this post Zap is rolling out a larger electric truck for industrial and fleet use. Learn more: Hybridfriends.com

India Electric Truck Market -Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Reva Electric Car Company are planning to launch electric trucks and passenger carriers in the sub-one-tonne segment. Tata Motors has developed an electric version of the Ace which could debut soon. M&M, likewise, is working on a variant for the recently launched 0.9-tonne Maxximo.  The sub-tonne segment in India numbers 100,000 vehicles annually.  The companies are targeting applications for large shopping mall and residential complexes, airports and  intra-city transport.  While there is no mention of  exporting the vehicles to other markets , previously Tata and GEM announced they were working on an electric version of the ACE for the US.

Learn more:  Thehindubusinessline.com

Flux Power Chosen As Wheego Battery Supplier

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Last week Flux Power of Vista, CA was chosen by Wheego Electric Cars to supply batteries for the Wheego Whip LSV as well as their full speed electric vehicle, the Wheego Whip LiFe FSV, which they expect to ship this summer.

Flux Power will provide Wheego Electric Cars with advanced energy systems that combine high power and energy density with excellent safety and life cycle performance. These systems include Flux Power’s “Cell Guard™” Technology that extends the life of lithium batteries.

Flux Power combines Lithium based batteries with their proprietary management system and claim to greatly extend cycle life.

Learn more: Businesswire.com


STOV Technology Developments

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I came across some new technology developments that have potential applications in the STOV market.

EV Platform for STOV Applications

Trexa EV Platform

The first is a new lithium-powered all-wheel-drive platform developed by Trexa.  One area the company is specifically targeting with the platform is STOV for commercial, military and municipal fleets.  The platform is made with with carbon steel tubing, aluminum and fiber-reinforced thermoplastics.  Trexa claims the lithium iron phosphate battery system is capable of range up to 105 miles with dual motors and a top speed of 100 mph.  The platform features a built-in 6 kW charger  that recharges the batteries in four hours and has the flexibility to accommodate other charging options.  Learn more:  Blueplanetnews.com

Ultracapacitor Cells for EV Applications

Ioxus, Inc. has introduced a new family of electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLC) for transportation and utility applications.  The company claims the 1,000-, 3,000- and 5,000-Farad (F) ultracapacitors are smaller in size with increased energy and power density than others on the market.  The products can be used as the only energy storage device or in combination with other devices such as batteries.  According to the company the 1,000F unit offers the same maximum power as competitive 1,200F products with 24% less volume.  This size is targeted towards golf-car type vehicles and utility vehicles.  Learn more:  Greencarcongress.com

Company News

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Global Electric Motorcars – Has produced a commercial to promote their vehicles and the federal tax incentives that are currently available for them.  Learn more & see the commercial:  Zachmarion.com

Valence Technology – Has won a $3.1 million contract to supply the Tanfield Group’s Smith Electric Vehicles with lithium iron magnesium phosphate batteries for their electric trucks.  The company also supplies batteries for Tanfield’s joint venture in the US, Smith Electric Vehicles US Corporation, that makes similar trucks.  Learn more:  Streetinsider.com

CT&T – Bavarian Luxury Auto Sales LLC has become the first dealer to carry their vehicles in South Carolina, the e-Zone LSV.  Learn more:  Poastandcourier.com Comment: – What is interesting is that while CT&T has generated a lot of press I have not come across too much hard evidence related to actual vehicle sales.  This may be  a start. – Marc Cesare

Company News

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Nivel Holdings – At the end of 2009 Nivel Holdings completed their acquisition of Jake’s Carts, a leading provider of lift kits for the golf car market.  The company has become a subsidiary of Nivel Parts.  Learn more:  Golfcarnews.com

Kandi Technologies Corporation –has entered into an alliance with China Potevio/CNOOC New Energy and Power, Ltd. and Tianneng Power International, Ltd with a goal of mass producing electric vehicles. The alliance combines the IT equipment and service of CNOOC, battery production from Tianneng Power International, vehicle production from Kandi as well as governmental support.  Kandi produces the COCO LSV.  Part of vehicle concept focuses on easy battery removal and replacement and battery rentals.  Learn more:  Worldmarketmedia.com

Ameritex – will supply canvas doors for GEM vehicles.  The company is a division of Taylor Made which designs and manufactures windshields.  Ameritex is trying to diversify their business which has suffered from the downturn in the marine industry and is investigating the resort, consumer, recreational vehicle and golf cart industries.
Learn more: Tampabay.bizjournals.com