Apr 22 2008
Following the widespread publicity surrounding its debut at the North American International Auto Show, the XH-150(TM) Extreme Hybrid(TM), developed by AFS Trinity Power Corporation and built under contract by Ricardo, has recently concluded a tour of the U.S. culminating in an appearance at the Earth Day celebrations on Capitol Mall in Washington, D.C.
The cross-country tour was intended to enable the public in selected communities across the U.S. the opportunity to test drive the two XH-150(TM) plug-in hybrid demonstrator vehicles. According to tests recently conducted by AFS Trinity at the Michelin Proving Grounds in South Carolina, proprietary new power and control electronics and other advances allow the Extreme Hybrid to plug in to house current and store sufficient power to run the vehicle at up to 87 miles per hour. Mileage estimates -- AFS Trinity predicts up to 150 miles per gallon in a typical North American usage pattern -- are based on average driving patterns set by USEPA and will vary depending on how people drive.
AFS Trinity Power's patent-pending Extreme Hybrid(TM) technology employs a proprietary dual energy storage system that combines Lithium-Ion batteries and ultra capacitors with AFS Trinity's proprietary XH(TM) power and control electronics with the aim of satisfying performance expectations of consumers and providing extended vehicle range in a highly energy-efficient and cost-effective package. Ricardo responsibilities in building the two demonstrator XH-150(TM) vehicles included integrating AFS Trinity's proprietary power and control electronics module into the vehicles, incorporating off the shelf ultracapacitors and batteries selected by AFS Trinity, design and development of a completely new Ricardo transmission for the vehicles, modifying the host vehicles' suspension and chassis control and, finally, vehicle build.
Ricardo Inc. president, Dean Harlow, said: "As automakers strive to address the 35-mile-per-gallon CAFE standard as well as the impending European CO2 regulations, technologies such as our Total Vehicle Fuel Economy (TVFE(TM)) approach to vehicle design and the increasing use of hybridization will be key enablers for the next generation of more fuel efficient vehicles. We are pleased to have assisted AFS Trinity on the build of their two XH-150(TM) plug-in hybrid demonstrator vehicles. This is just one of the many hybrid programs delivered by Ricardo in recent years."
The premier global eco-innovation technology firm, Ricardo Inc. is the North American subsidiary of Ricardo plc, a leader in the development and application of new technologies and a partner to global transportation sector OEMs in the creation of new vehicles, powertrains, controls/electronics and new-energy technologies. The company's expertise ranges from concept design and strategic consulting through to prototype production and manufacturing implementation. Ricardo's skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient powertrain technology, and can be best summarized: "Ricardo is Fuel Economy."
With technical centers and offices in the U.K., U.S.A., Germany, the Czech Republic, China, Japan and Korea, Ricardo plc is a leading independent technology provider and strategic consultant to the world's transportation sector industries. The company's engineering expertise ranges from vehicle systems integration, controls, electronics and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Its customers include the world's major vehicle, engine and transmission manufacturers, tier 1 suppliers and leading motorsport teams. Ricardo is committed to excellence and industry leadership in people, technology and knowledge; approximately 70 per cent of its employees are highly qualified multi-disciplined professional engineers and technicians. A public company, Ricardo plc posted sales of 171.5 million pounds Sterling in financial year 2007 and is a constituent of the FTSE techMark 100 index -- a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit http://www.ricardo.com .
AFS Trinity Power is a privately owned Delaware corporation headquartered in Bellevue, WA, that is developing Fast Energy Storage(TM) energy storage and power systems for vehicular, spacecraft and stationary power systems that utilize batteries, ultracapacitors, and/or flywheels. The Company has conducted development programs with private and government organizations including DARPA, NASA, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. DOT, California Energy Commission, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, Lockheed, Ricardo, Mercedes and Honeywell. Although AFS Trinity is not currently using flywheels in systems that are designed for consumer cars, it is actively engaged in developing flywheel power systems for Formula One Racing (F1) and is currently also engaged in developing such a system for one of the world's top F1 teams. American Flywheel Systems, Inc. (AFS) received the first patent ever given for a flywheel battery in 1992 and merged with Trinity Flywheel Power to create AFS Trinity Power in 2000.
AFS Trinity and Ricardo, Inc. have a Technology Partnership Agreement by which Ricardo is assisting AFS Trinity as a preferred customer and is installing into passenger vehicles AFS Trinity's Extreme Hybrid(TM) drive train technology, technology that is the subject of ongoing AFS Trinity U.S. and international patent filings. For more information, see http://www.afstrinity.com .