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EDrive Systems Launches New Plug-In Hybrid Technology; Technology Allows Hybrid Owners to Fuel Cars
3 May 2005
A gas-optional hybrid technology that enables hybrid vehicles to be plugged in and charged by a conventional 3-prong, 110-volt home electrical outlet will be released today by EDrive Systems LLC, a consortium of advanced vehicle technology companies.
EDrive Systems LLC will present and demonstrate its cutting edge EDrive technology as applied in a Toyota Prius on Monday, May 2 through Tuesday, May 3 at the Clean Cities Conference being held at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
By combining gasoline power with electricity from a home recharge, an EDrive-equipped vehicle can average 100 to 150 mpg for roughly the first 60 miles of the day, compared to 45-55 mpg for a conventional Prius. The vehicle also has the capacity to run in "electric-only" mode at neighborhood speeds, resulting in zero emissions.
"The EDrive proves that locally produced, potentially renewable electricity can displace gasoline today. Why should we have to wait a decade or two for the hydrogen economy?" asks Greg Hanssen, a partner in EDrive Systems LLC and chief engineer of the EnergyCS development team that led the technology innovation. "It really is the ideal fusion of the clean and conveniently home refueled electric vehicle with the state of the art gasoline hybrid technology. Renewable power with unlimited range."
And, the timing couldn't be more urgent ...
In his recent energy proposal, President Bush called for vehicle technologies that reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, a historically conservative group of 31 former national security officials recently wrote a letter to the President characterizing America's dependence on foreign oil as a "looming national security crisis." They went so far as to endorse the use of "plug power," referring to hybrid vehicles that could potentially be plugged in.
EDrive technology, an after-market installation, uses one-half to one- third of the gasoline used by a conventional hybrid, offering a proven solution to this looming crisis.
"The EDrive benefits both our environment and our national security," said Pete Nortman, EDrive Systems LLC partner and President of EnergyCS. "It enables environmentally responsible drivers to operate zero emissions vehicles locally, and every time the system is charged, it displaces over half a gallon of gasoline."
Of particular significance for the Los Angeles basin, automobiles have been cited as the primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. With the public "buy-in" of EDrive, consumers will gradually be weaned off the pump and enjoy the air quality benefits offered in the medium-term.
"Regardless of whether they use hydrogen fuel cells or batteries, the cars of the future will be powered by electric motors, period," said Seth Seaberg, a partner in EDrive Systems LLC and CEO of Clean-Tech LLC, distributor of the EDrive system. "The technology that gets us there while reducing emissions and oil dependency will effectively change the way people think about getting from point A to point B."
EDrive, which has worked with a variety of entities around the United States to bring clean fuel technologies to the marketplace, has teamed with lithium-ion battery manufacturer Valence Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VLNC - News) to bring its safe, cutting-edge saphion lithium technology to the public.
As the level of investment in EDrive continues to grow, more products will enter the market at increasingly competitive prices. In the meantime, interested parties should contact EDrive directly as product pricing has not yet been established. EDrive LLC aims to have an affordable retail option available to consumers by 2006.
More information will soon be available on the EDrive web site at http://www.edrivesystems.com .
The EDrive product is engineered by EnergyCS and distributed by Clean-Tech LLC, using Valence Technology, Inc. battery technology.
Energy Control Systems Engineering provides leading edge consulting, design and prototyping services for system integration, management and monitoring of electrochemical energy systems such as batteries and fuel cells. Based in Monrovia, CA, EnergyCS is focused on and particularly interested in applications in the areas of EV and HEV transportation and alternative energy on systems from 24 to 400+ VDC. http://www.energycs.com
Clean-Tech LLC is a Los Angeles-based automotive systems integrator, focusing primarily on off-road, light and medium-duty vehicles. Clean-Tech develops, builds and commercializes advanced low and zero-emission vehicle powertrain systems, including hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV), battery-electric (BEV) and hybrid (HEV) drive systems for installation into auto manufacturer or purpose-built chassis. Clean-Tech also retrofits auto manufacturer internal combustion engines with compressed natural gas fuel systems. In addition to providing installation and maintenance services for CARB- and EPA- certified, commercial, off-the-shelf conversions, Clean-Tech sells systems of its own design under a range of trade names. http://www.clean-tech.com
Valence Technology is a leader in the development and commercialization of Saphion® technology, the only safe, large-format Lithium-ion rechargeable battery technology. Valence holds an extensive, worldwide portfolio of issued and pending patents relating to its Saphion technology and Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. http://www.valence.com
Media Contact: Katie Romans
(916) 240-8077
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Source: EDrive Systems LLC
Source: PR Newswire
All trademarks and copyrighted information contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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