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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
5.12.2006 ET
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New EDrive Systems 'Plug-In' Hybrid Technology In National 2005 Tour de Sol 100 MPG Challenge
(CSRwire) GREENFIELD, MA - The new EDrive Systems "plug-in" hybrid technology
will be demonstrated during the National 2005 Tour de Sol's 100 MPG
Challenge. Hybrid owners can now "fuel" their cars from home electrical
outlets. This novel hybrid technology enables hybrid vehicles to be
plugged in and charged by a common 3-prong, 110-volt home electrical
outlet so that owners can use "green" electricity, minimize gasoline
usage, and have the convenience of long-range driving.
Valence Technology Inc., a manufacturer of the lithium batteries installed
in this new vehicle, will demonstrate the cutting-edge EDrive Systems
technology in a Toyota Prius during the May 13-16 National 2005 Tour de
Sol in Saratoga Springs and Albany, NY. "By combining gasoline power with
electricity from a home recharge, a vehicle equipped with EDrive Systems
hybrid technology can average 100 to 150 miles per gallon for up to the
first 60 miles of the day, compared to 45 to 55 miles per gallon for a
conventional Prius," states Marc Kohler, a Valence engineer and an EDrive
Systems partner. "The vehicle also has the capacity to run in
electric-only mode at neighborhood speeds, resulting in zero
emissions."
This is a quite timely announcement, since President George W. Bush
recently called for vehicle technologies that reduce America's dependence
on foreign oil and cut greenhouse-gas emissions. In addition, a group of
31 former national-security officials recently wrote to the President
citing 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 can be plugged in for recharging.
"We are excited to have this vehicle, powered by Valence's new Saphion
lithium-ion batteries, participating in the National 2005 Tour de Sol's
Monte Carlo-style Rally and 100 MPG Challenge, with $10,000 in prizes,"
states James Dunn, co-chair of the Tour de Sol and CEO of the Center for
Technology Commercialization. "This is an example of the exciting
technologies we will showcase during the 100 MPG Challenge, to show the
public that we have technology today that can help reduce our dependence
on foreign oil as well as help reduce climate-change emissions."
The EDrive Systems plug-in conversion product is engineered by EnergyCS
LLC and distributed by Clean-Tech LLC, using Valence Technology battery
technology. More information will soon be available on the EDrive Systems
website at www.edrivesystems.com.
Valence Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: VLNC) in Austin, TX, is a leader in the
development and commercialization of Saphion technology, the only safe,
large-format lithium-ion rechargeable-battery technology. Valence
Technology holds an extensive, worldwide portfolio of patents relating to
its Saphion technology and lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. For more
information, visit www.valence.com or call Judy Rascino at
512.626.7716.
Energy Control Systems Engineering Inc. (doing business as EnergyCS LLC)
in Monrovia, CA, provides leading-edge consulting, design and prototyping
services for system-integration, management, and monitoring of
electrochemical energy systems such as batteries and fuel cells. EnergyCS
focuses on applications in the areas of EV and HEV transportation and
alternative-energy systems from 24 to 400+ VDC. For more information,
visit www.energycs.com or call Katie Romans
at 916.240.8077.
Highlights of the 2005 Tour de Sol include:
The Tour de Sol Championship, which is for concept vehicles built by
students and entrepreneurs seeking to achieve zero oil and carbon
emissions.
A Monte Carlo-style Rally, which is for hybrid and alternative-fuel
vehicle owners and will feature a 100 MPG Challenge.
Vehicle events, which are designed to create new fun ways of getting
around, such as electric bikes, electric scooters and neighborhood
electric vehicles.
A "green car show" on Sat., May 14, at Saratoga's Spring Auto Show,
where auto manufacturers will join with Tour de Sol competitors to
showcase future vehicle technologies, including three all-new, 30 MPG
hybrid SUVs - from Ford, Toyota and Lexus - plus natural gas, and hydrogen
fuel-cell vehicles, next to the several hundred antique vehicles that
participate in the Auto Show.
An Award Ceremony and 40-vehicle display on Mon., May 16 at Albany's
Empire State Plaza, where NYS Clean Cities stakeholders will join Tour de
Sol participants to celebrate the progress made in New York state to
integrate clean advanced vehicles into everyday use as well as to meet key
industry and government representatives.
Monte Carlo-style Rally
Monte Carlo-style Rally vehicles are invited to compete for up to $10,000
and 35 awards for the most fuel-efficient production-hybrid or biodiesel
vehicles (which can be production-line or modified) that travel a minimum
of 150 miles at an average of over 55 MPG. The overall prize money
includes $5,000 for the most fuel-efficient vehicle that breaks the 100
MPG barrier over a range of 500 miles.
To participate, advanced-vehicle owners must join at one of the numerous
starting sites around the US and Canada. After they have topped off and
had their fuel tank sealed, Rally participants must drive to the finish
line at Saratoga Springs by noon on May 14. There, they will get a free
fill up with gasoline or biodiesel, compliments of Stewart's Shops and
Environmental Alternatives, and officials will measure the fuel used and
miles driven.
There are 10 vehicle categories. Tires will be pressure checked to be 50
PSI or less and must have tread. The rally is limited to 50 entries and a
total 500-person entourage. All cars must be registered, inspected,
insured and meet federal Department of Transportation regulations. The
winners and statistics about the Rally entrants will be gathered, analyzed
and posted at www.TourDeSol.org.
Tour de Sol
Over a half million consumers have visited the Tour de Sol since its
creation in 1989 by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA),
and over 40 million print and broadcast exposures accrue from the Tour
each year. The Tour de Sol provides a key platform for vehicle
manufacturers, students, and entrepreneurs to demonstrate future designs
and current products that aim reduce oil and carbon emissions to zero. The
event provides news media the opportunity to provide timely and topical
updates on the status of sustainable energy and mobility.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the
Center for Technology Commercialization are the event's premier sponsors.
Additional key sponsors include the U.S. Department of Energy, the New
York Power Authority, Toyota, the New York State Environmental
Conservation, the Federal Highway Administration, New York State Parks,
Environmental Alternatives, and the Electric Drive Transportation
Association. The Automotive Career Development Center in Worcester, MA, is
a key organizer of the Monte Carlo-style Rally.
NESEA, the nation's leading regional education and advocacy association,
is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. NESEA aims to accelerate the
deployment and use of renewable energy and energy efficiency by, among
other things, producing major sustainable-energy events that inspire and
motivate large numbers of people to get involved and make a difference.
NESEA is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (www.ASES.org), a
not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the development and
adoption of renewable energy in all its forms, including solar energy,
wind energy, geothermal energy, hydrogen energy, ocean energy, biofuels
energy, and energy efficiency.
For more information on the 2005 Tour de Sol Championship, Monte
Carlo-style Rally and 100 MPG Challenge, visit www.TourDeSol.org or call NESEA at
413.774.6051. For more information on NESEA, visit www.NESEA.org.
To hear a 30-minute Q&A on why American car makers - especially General
Motors - should fully get into the hybrid-vehicle development market,
listen to "The Business Beat," produced by WICN/90.5 FM, the NPR affiliate
for Central New England. The guests are James Dunn of the Center for
Technology Commercialization in Westboro, MA, Craig Van Batenburg of the
Automotive Career Development Center in Worcester, MA, and Gilles Labelle
of the Hybrid Center at Westboro Toyota in Westboro, MA. To listen now, CLICK
HERE.
To join an online conversation on why American car makers should fully get
into the hybrid-vehicle development market, visit the Edmunds.com
hybrid-vehicle forum at townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?13@@.ef7a43c/16.
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