Raser Technologies E-REV SUV coming to Detroit, promises 100+ mpg
Last year at the SAE World Congress, Raser Technologies announced it had, along with FEV, designed a plug-in hybrid powertrain for large trucks. Earlier this year, Pacific Gas and Electric ordered two converted vehicles that use this lithium ion system for testing in their fleet. The potentially exciting number here is that the vehicle is expected to top 100 mpg, but we all know that the way these claims are calculated are notoriously varied. There's a little more to hang our hat on with the 40 miles of EV-only range.
We should be able to get a lot more information from Raser - including, perhaps, which OEM they have been working with (GM?) - during the next SAE World Congress later this month. Raser says the E-REV vehicle is now undergoing roadtesting and that the powertrain can also be used for "many popular light trucks." The SAE show starts April 20.
[Source: Raser Technologies]
PRESS RELEASE:
Raser To Unveil 100 MPG SUV At SAE World Congress In Detroit
Wednesday 8th, April 2009
E-REV Powertrain by Raser Technologies Allows Full Size SUVs & Light Trucks to Achieve over 100 mpg. Demonstration Vehicle now in Road Testing.
PROVO, UT, April 8, 2009 - Raser Technologies, Inc. announced today it will unveil a 100+ mpg SUV at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit, Michigan April 20-23, 2009. The Vehicle is powered by Raser's E-REV powertrain and was developed in conjunction with Raser's integration partner, FEV and a global automaker. The full-size SUV is a four-wheel drive Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) designed to achieve over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving with near zero emissions by driving up to 40 miles per day in all-electric mode.
Just one year ago, at the SAE World Congress, Raser announced it was developing an E-REV powertrain for use in full size SUVs and light trucks and had teamed with a leading OEM to build a demonstration SUV. This highly anticipated vehicle, featuring Raser's electric powertrain, is now in road testing and will be unveiled and on display at this year's show in FEV's booth. In addition to SUVs, the powertrain is sized for application in many popular light trucks.
The SAE World Congress is the largest annual gathering of automotive engineers and typically highlights innovative automotive developments that often are incorporated in future production vehicles. The four-day Congress in Detroit is expected to host over 30,000 industry specialists, engineers and business leaders.
"We are excited to be able to demonstrate an electric powertrain for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs," said James Spellman, Vice President, of Transportation for Raser Technologies. "These are the best selling vehicles in America and can benefit the most from increased fuel economy and reduced emissions. We are also pleased to be exhibiting with our development partner FEV."
"We are pleased to support Raser in the development of this exciting project. Our goal in exhibiting this breakthrough vehicle is to demonstrate that electric vehicle technology is a viable solution for a variety of vehicle platforms," said Gary Rogers, president and CEO of FEV. "Needs of consumers will continue to vary, and this full-sized SUV range-extended electric vehicle shows that fuel economy does not necessarily mean sacrificing power and utility."
About Raser Technologies
Raser is an environmental Energy Technology company focused on geothermal power development and technology licensing. Raser's Power Systems segment is seeking to develop clean, renewable geothermal electric power plants and bottom-cycling operations, incorporating licensed heat transfer technology and Raser's SymetronTM technology developed internally by its Transportation and Industrial segment. Raser's Transportation & Industrial segment focuses on extended-range plug-in-hybrid vehicle solutions and using Raser's award-winning SymetronTM technology to improve the torque density and efficiency of the electric motors and drive systems used in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle powertrains and industrial applications. Further information on Raser may be found at: www.rasertech.com.
About FEV, Inc.
The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry. FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. FEV, Inc. employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, but not limited to, statements regarding: our beliefs about the performance and market applicability of our products; our beliefs about the status and enforceability of the Company's intellectual property; our beliefs about the strength of our existing and potential business relations in the motor industry; our beliefs about the strength and enforceability of our agreements, our beliefs about the performance capabilities of our technology; our beliefs about the capabilities, expertise and intentions of our partners; our ability to hire, train and retain key personnel; our ability to successfully complete field testing of SymetronTM technologies. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ, including, without limitation, the competitive environment and our ability to compete in the industry; the strength of our intellectual property; our inability to attract, train and retain key personnel; and such other risks as identified in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and all subsequent filings. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 10:27AM (4/10/2009)
that serial hybrid truck is probably better then the volt, i wish it hit the market sooner.
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GoRealSlow 10:50AM (4/10/2009)
Yup, gorr. Trucks have more space to store batteries, the weight of the system doesn't affect handling as much, the upside benefit of fuel savings is higher (%) and the availability of on site electrical generation makes great sense for contractors/other truck buyers.
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Robert 12:31PM (4/10/2009)
How much $$?
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Rain 1:15PM (4/10/2009)
Yes!
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Herm 1:38PM (4/10/2009)
My guess is $30k for the batteries, electronics and motors.. you provide the SUV.
Are they taking an SUV , gutting the transmission out of it and replacing it with a generator.. a la Chevy Volt?.. perhaps using 4 motors and 4 controllers since they are talking 4wd.
8kwh pack may give you 40 mile range in a slick small car, but not in an SUV... apparently GM is paying $8k for the 16kwh lithium pack in the Volt so who knows..
How much does a 35kw motor and associated controller go for?.. that suv would need four of them.
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steve 5:33PM (4/10/2009)
go watch the video on razertech.com. This company isnt about production, its about technology demonstration, and then licencing technology to others.
Their hummer conversion uses a 200Kw electric motor, and a 4 cylinder gas engine linked to a 100Kw gen set.
"designed to achieve over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving with near zero emissions by driving up to 40 miles per day in all-electric mode".
Given that the EV range is 40 miles, and they are only driving 40 miles per day, they shouldnt need to use ANY gas, so something doesnt add up.
I dont know the math behind it, but would gues that they need something like at least a 50-75 KwH pack to give that big old heavy truck a 40 mile EV only range, so thats got to push the price up into the $75K+ range.
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SEREN 11:18PM (4/12/2009)
yes i am SURE the big factor they are NOT stating is price :(
Its cost will put their technology, at least for year or 2 way out of range of ordinary folks.
The good news is that toyota will be bringing tiny hyrbids over in 2010, honda will be making its FIT a hybrid in 2010, Hyundai is ahead of BOTH, because it skips NiCad batteries altogether and offer not only LI Ion but POLYMER Li Ion which is much lighter, and holds its charge longer - in 2010 they will offer Elantra hybrid and Sonata type vehicle with this awesome 'blue' technology.........so if you can wait till 2010, whao!
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