Altairnano to get tested in Designline hybrid buses
The lithium titanate batteries by Altairnano has been tried in powerstations, trucks and even a dragster and will soon have the opportunity to prove their metal in a hybrid bus application. The company has announced that they have received an order for four demo battery packs by the innovative bus maker Designline International, who will shell out a hefty $540,000 for this initial order. While one of the 44 KWh packs will be used for modular testing, the other three will be installed in Ecosaver IV buses (pictured above) where they will be matched up with micro turbines from Capstone Turbine Corp. Designline have been using lead-acid batteries in their drivetrains and been getting double the mileage of regular buses but it's thought that the Altairnano packs should do even better as they are capable of absorbing and releasing more power. Their cycle life has been shown to far superior in testing as well. If all goes well, Altairnano expects to receive more orders from Designline in 2009. Check out all the technical details in the press release after the break.
[Source: Altairnano]
PRESS RELEASE:
Altair Nanotechnologies Receives $540,000 Order for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery Packs
DesignLine International to Equip Hybrid Demonstration Buses with Batteries Utilizing Altair's HEV Battery Packs
RENO, NV -- October 16, 2008 -- Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTI), a leading provider of advanced materials and products for power and energy systems, today announced it received an initial $540,000 order for four hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) demonstration battery packs from DesignLine International. The HEV battery packs will be utilized in buses for three city transit customers, and one HEV battery pack will be used for a modular testing program.
"This key, initial milestone in our HEV commercialization strategy leverages the distinctive value our technology can bring to the mass transit sector," said Terry M. Copeland, Altair's Chief Executive Officer. "With the completion of a successful demonstration program, we can anticipate an initial ramp-up of orders from DesignLine in 2009. We are aggressively pursuing similar opportunities in the mass transit sector and fully expect to have more customer wins with our enabling technology."
Altair will provide DesignLine International with 11Ah cells, which will be assembled into four 44kWh demonstration battery packs. Altair will configure the cells into modules and then integrate a battery management system supplied by DesignLine International. During the assembly process Altair will train DesignLine's personnel, preparing them to perform future modular assembly without Altair's assistance.
"The Altair lithium titanate cell technology in our proprietary battery design is particularly well suited for the DesignLine EcoSaver IV Hybrid System allowing the delivery of a superior performing product to our mass transit customers," said Brad C. Glosson, DesignLine International's Chief Executive Officer. "The selection of Altair battery cells for the company's hybrid demonstration buses was based on meeting four key criteria: the high energy capturing efficiency of the cells; its energy density to weight capability; the cell's ability to rapidly charge and discharge in temperatures ranging from -40º C to +55º C; and a long cycle life that complements our technically advanced vehicle platform."
DesignLine targets the mass transit sector with buses constructed with advanced, extruded aluminum technology for superior strength and reduced weight. The company employs a component manufacturing strategy and a manufacturing process that has been refined to approximate automotive tolerances. The bus features a curved, streamlined body, an expansive use of seamless windows, and provides a luxury ride for up to 42 passengers. The HEV bus operates in an electric-only mode for as much as 30 percent of its range and provides a 100 percent improvement in fuel economy over a diesel bus, with fuel savings of up to 6,000 gallons per year.
About DesignLine International
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with manufacturing facilities in Charlotte and Ashburton, New Zealand, DesignLine was established in 1985 and produces high quality coaches, buses and specialty vehicles for the worldwide market with particular focus on its industry leading ECOSaver IV hybrid vehicle.
About Altair Nanotechnologies Inc.
Altair is charging the energy revolution with their proprietary nano-lithium titanate material. This unique material is incorporated into energy storage solutions for the stationary power and transportation markets. A seasoned management team complements Altair's leading edge scientists and engineers with substantial experience in commercializing innovative, disruptive technologies. For more information visit www.altairnano.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements as well as historical information. Forward-looking statements, which are included in accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the company's actual results and performance in future periods to be materially different from any future results or performance suggested by the forward-looking statements in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the risks that development of the advanced lithium ion-based batteries and related products described herein will not be completed for technical, political, strategic or other reasons; that any products developed will not perform as expected in future testing or real-world applications; and that even if full commercialization occurs, product sales may be limited and costs associated with production may exceed revenues. In addition, other risks are identified in the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements found herein to reflect any changes in company expectations or results or any change in events.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 2:11PM (10/17/2008)
An interesting datapoint here if a field where they are awfully hard to come by.
174 kWh for $540,000 = $3.08 per Wh.
Of course we don't know how this price for prototype packs compares to the production prices.
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darius 3:29PM (10/17/2008)
That's interesting, from what I believed the cost was @ $2/Wh Is the price going up?
Paul 8:47PM (10/17/2008)
I'm assuming based on the PR that there are some pretty hefty custom manufacturing and support costs rolled into this price. However, even $2 / Wh is far too high in a market that is expanding and innovating so rapidly. There are already competitiors that claim to match Altair's power and longevity specs with higher energy density (other than cost, Altair's major Achilles heel). I'm hoping that Altair can find a way to lower production costs SOON. Otherwise, they (and my 300 or so sadly depreciated shares of ALTI) will be in serious trouble.
Chris M 10:41PM (10/17/2008)
$3 per wh is waaay too high to be competitive, especially when compared to Tesla Energy 42 cents per wh!
Ah, but maybe they thought "Government Contract! Jack up the price!". They'd better figure out how to bring costs down, or they'll end up as an obscure footnote in the history of the EV revolution.
Domenick Yoney 8:01AM (10/18/2008)
There is more to the cost of this transaction than just the batteries and that should be considered. A good portion of this is related to technology transfer and incidental training.
will 3:03PM (10/17/2008)
thought that was a wachovia bus ...
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Ra Conteur 6:42PM (10/18/2008)
Great news for Altair. This is a perfect market for them as it will positively effect hybrid bus fuel economy. And with the far longer cycle life there will less need to swap out the packs.
Eventually the world's fleet of buses will be transitioning to hybrid. The low end will be diesel hybrid and the standard will probably be a CNG hybrid.
If one of these buses was configured to quick-charge at the end of its route - greater than 30% all-electric mode is possible.
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Roger 2:49PM (10/21/2008)
Indeed, I saw this bus at APTA, and it is a perfect candidate for opportunity charging. See my website www.nanobus.org for lots more information about charging at the end of a route. You could probably get more like 70MPG of diesel (the rest would be electricity of course!)
Serge 4:00PM (10/20/2008)
I find the use of turbine an interesting bit of info in this announcement. Turbines are fairly reliable and can burn a variety of fuels (like the one on Abrams M1 MBT). Add to this a fairly small form-factor.
Can a turbine be a better range-extender in an REEV like the Volt?
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