May 21 2008
California state officials and legislators as well as the general public in Sacramento are getting their first chance today to drive AFS Trinity's fast XH-150 SUV that gets 150 MPG, goes up to 87 MPH on the highway, accelerates faster than comparable gas only vehicles, cuts transportation costs 75%, and greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
"The XH-150 is a break-through, plug-in hybrid like no other because it can drive 40 miles in all-electric mode on an overnight charge without compromising performance," said Edward W. Furia, CEO of AFS Trinity Power Corporation that developed the Extreme Hybrid technology. "The average American drives less than 40 miles a day. On those days, if they are driving the XH-150, they will burn zero gasoline. "
State officials as well as members of the general public can see and drive two Extreme Hybrid prototypes today between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at a demonstration area near the capital in Sacramento on I Street between 14th and 15th. Individuals who want to drive the cars must be over 25 years of age, have a valid drivers license and sign a liability release. The number of general public drivers will be limited to a number that can be safely accommodated between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The AFS Trinity Extreme Hybrid received worldwide attention when it was introduced at the North American International Auto show in Detroit in January. The XH-150 was developed with the help of the world's leading independent automotive engineering firm, Ricardo.
Furia explained that the reason Extreme Hybrids work so well is because "they solve the battery problem that plagues all other plug-in hybrids. We do this by using ultra-capacitors to handle acceleration, thereby making it possible for the batteries to work better, last longer and operate more safely," Furia explained. "The whole system is managed by proprietary power and control electronics systems and software. The result is a powerful SUV with great benefit to the environment and an important contributor to reducing dependence on foreign oil."
Furia said, "In a typical 340 mile week of driving, barely two gallons of fuel will be consumed, resulting in 170 miles per gallon. We round down to 150 miles per gallon to take into account that mileage varies depending on how a person drives."