EDrive Systems Launches New Plug-In Hybrid Technology; Technology
Allows Hybrid Owners to Fuel Cars From a Home Electrical Outlet
LOS ANGELES, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- 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) 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(R) 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 DATASOURCE: EDrive Systems LLC CONTACT: Katie Romans, +1-916-240-8077, for EDrive Systems LLC Web site: http://www.edrivesystems.com/ http://www.energycs.com/ http://www.clean-tech.com/ http://www.valence.com/
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