ALTe signs long-term supply agreement with A123 systems for advanced lithium-ion battery packs

ALTe has signed a long-term supply agreement with A123 Systems for complete lithium-ion battery packs to be integrated into ALTe’s range-extended hybrid electric powertrain systems. (Earlier post.) Built on A123’s advanced Nanophosphate technology, the 21.6 kWh packs are designed to deliver high power, greater usable energy, long life and increased safety, forming a critical part of the ALTe powertrain.

The packs will be matched with a four-cylinder engine, electric motors and proprietary controls modules to increase fuel economy by up to 200%.

The ALTe powertrain is targeted toward the light truck market (including full size pickups and vans) with a focus on commercial, government and utility fleets. The system is expected to provide an initial 30 miles (48 km) of driving in an all-electric mode, and an estimated additional 270 miles (435 km) in a charge-sustained mode before the vehicle would need to be either refueled or plugged in.

The A123 battery pack can be charged within an eight-hour timeframe from a 110-volt outlet or in about four hours from a 220-volt outlet. In addition to significant fuel economy savings, the system increases the vehicle’s torque while offering similar cargo capacity, horsepower and towing capability compared to trucks with the original V8 engine. ALTe expects to begin accepting purchase orders by the end of 2011 and plans to start installing its electric powertrain systems in summer 2012.

Earlier this month, ALTe announced it was collaborating with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to help validate the ALTe powertrain for the fleet industry.

Source: Green Car Congress

ALTe working with PG&E to validate retrofitted range-extended electric powertrain for fleets

The ALTe system converts conventional light-duty trucks into a range-extended electric vehicle. Click to enlarge.

ALTe, the developer of a range-extended electric powertrain used to repower light commercial vehicles, is collaborating with Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) to help validate the ALTe powertrain for the fleet industry.

Under the agreement, ALTe will retrofit one of PG&E’s 2007 Ford F-150 trucks with a version of its plug-in series electric hybrid powertrain. PG&E will evaluate the performance of the initial ALTe powered truck and provide data and feedback to ALTe.

A major initiative in our operation today is to electrify our fleet, and by doing so use clean energy to power clean vehicles. This project supports our efforts in that area and will continue to show PG&E’s commitment to the environment and to the citizens of California. If successful, the technology could ultimately be applied to a large number of vehicles and applications within our fleet of trucks and vans.

—Dave Meisel, PG&E’s Director of Transportation Services

The ALTe powertrain will include a 20 kWh lithium ion battery pack, a four-cylinder engine, Remy electric motors and proprietary communication interface modules. The powertrain is projected to provide an initial 30 miles (48 km) of driving in an all-electric mode powered directly from the lithium-ion battery pack. The vehicle can then drive an estimated additional 270 miles in a charge sustained mode before the vehicle would need to be either refueled or plugged in.

The battery pack can be charged within an eight-hour timeframe from a 110-volt outlet or in about four hours from a 220-volt outlet. Fuel economy is projected to increase by up to 200% with no loss in cargo capacity, increased torque, and similar horsepower and towing capability compared with the original V8 engine.

The ALTe powertrain is being targeted to the light truck market (full size pickups and vans) with a focus on commercial, government and utility fleets. ALTe is projected to start installing its electric powertrain systems in summer 2012 with the company beginning to accept purchase orders at the end of the 2011.

Remy awarded electric motor contract by ALTe

Plug-in hybrid conversion specialist ALTe Powertrain Technologies says that it has inked a three-year deal with Remy Electric Motors. Terms of the agreement call for Remy's HVH 250 electric motor (sure seems like this powerhouse of a motor is used in a fair amount of vehicles) to provide motive power and act as an on-board generator for ALTe's converted plug-in vehicles. Technically speaking, ALTe calls their system a "range-extended electric powertrain." We'll call it a plug-in hybrid.

ALTe will develop plug-in hybrids for the commercial, government and utility fleet industry. Initially, the conversion specialist will focus solely on light- to medium-duty delivery trucks, vans and shuttle buses. ALTe claims that its electric propulsion systems can be installed in less than 14 hours and says that its powertrain will provide up to 30 miles of electric-only range, followed by an estimated 275 miles in charge-sustaining mode. ALTe says that Job Number 1 will roll out in the spring of 2012.



Source: Autoblog Green

Remy awarded electric motor contract by ALTe

Remy has been awarded a three-year contract for electric motors by ALTe Powertrain Technologies. Under the agreement, Remy HVH 250 electric motors will act as an onboard generator to recharge batteries and deliver electric drivetrain traction power for ALTe’s hybrid vehicle powertrain conversions.

ALTe develops range-extended electric powertrains for the commercial, government and utility fleet industry, with a focus on light- to medium-sized delivery trucks, vans, and shuttle buses. The mass-produced and assembled electric propulsion systems can be installed in 14 hours and are projected to provide an initial 30 miles of all-electric driving, followed by an estimated 275 miles (443 km) in a charge-sustained mode, before needing to be recharged or refueled.

Fuel economy is projected to increase up to 200% with no loss in cargo capacity, increased torque, and comparable horsepower and towing capability when compared to a factory V8 engine.

Source: Green Car Congress

ALTe POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES AND MANHEIM ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO INSTALL ALTe POWERTRAINS IN FLEET VEHICLES

PRESS RELEASE

ALTe Powertrain Technologies, the Michigan-based developer of a Range Extended Electric Powertain, is pleased to announce an agreement with Manheim, the automotive industry's leader in remarketing services, regarding the installation of ALTe powertrains in fleet vehicles. With this partnership, ALTe's fleet customers will be able to take their vehicle to a Manheim operating location and Manheim will retrofit their light trucks and vans with an ALTe series plug-in electric hybrid powertrain. The fleet customer will then reinsert the vehicle back into its fleet and realize fuel economy improvements of up to 200 percent.

According to ALTe CEO John Thomas, "ALTe is excited to have the opportunity to work with Manheim, which is recognized as the world's leading remarketing company. Their reputation for quality and their familiarity with the fleet industry is a perfect fit for our business model. We look forward to their participation in the electrification of the automotive industry as we progress toward next year's product launch for ALTe."

"We were extremely impressed with the ALTe technology, management team, and business model and are looking forward to expanding the broad range of services that we presently offer to our fleet and automotive customers," said Fredrick Standfield, Manheim's Vice President of Frontline Operations. "This partnership will allow us to utilize available capacity in our auction facilities and complements our strategy to grow our revenue base within the clean technology space."

The major components of the ALTe powertrain will include a 20kWh lithium ion battery pack, a four-cylinder engine, electric drive motors, a generator, a proprietary hybrid controller unit and HVAC modules. The powertrain is projected to provide an initial 30 miles of driving in an all-electric mode, powered directly from the lithium ion battery pack. The vehicle can then drive an estimated additional 275 miles in a charge-sustained mode before the vehicle would need to be either plugged in or refueled. The battery pack can be charged within an 8-hour timeframe from a 110-volt outlet or in about 4 hours from a 220-volt outlet. Fuel economy is projected to increase by up to 200 percent with no loss in cargo capacity, increased torque, and comparable horsepower and towing capability when compared with the old V8 engine.

The ALTe powertrain is targeted to the light truck market (full size pickups and vans) with a focus on commercial, government and utility fleets. Job #1 for ALTe is projected for spring 2012 with the company beginning to accept purchase orders at the end of 2011.

About Manheim

Manheim (www.manheim.com) is the world's leading provider of vehicle remarketing services. Through its 130 worldwide wholesale operating locations, Manheim impacts every stage of a used vehicle's life cycle, helping commercial sellers and automobile dealers maximize the full value of their vehicles. Drawing from its auction transaction volume, Manheim Consulting publishes the annual Used Car Market Report, the definitive source of data for the used car industry. Manheim Consulting offers a wide range of services including custom analytics, business optimization and macro economic analysis.

Manheim is the online vehicle remarketing leader, connecting buyers and sellers to the world's largest, most comprehensive wholesale marketplace through its extensive in-lane and online offerings. Manheim.com receives nearly 900,000 visits each week.
Additionally, Manheim offers services including reconditioning, certification, inspections, dealer financing, title management and marshaling, among others. Through its wide array of services and technologies, industry publications, customer support and educational offerings, Manheim gives its customers maximum control over how they buy and sell vehicles, helping them to conduct business in the most efficient way possible. In 2010, Manheim handled nearly 10 million used vehicles, facilitating transactions worth more than $50 billion in value.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Manheim is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, a leading communications, media and automotive services company.

About ALTe Powertrain Technologies

ALTe is the developer of a Range Extended Electric Powertrain used to repower light commercial vehicles up to 26,000 GVW. The system will retrofit into existing fleet vehicles as well as in "glider" applications of new vehicles to dramatically increase their fuel economy and lower emissions. Designed to replace a base V-8 internal combustion engine powertrain, the system's patented technology improves fuel economy from 80% to 200%. Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the company is headquartered in an 185,000 square foot facility where it will assemble its powertrain kit that will be shipped to installation locations across North America. For more information, visit http://www.altellc.com.

ALTe Conversion For The F150 - A True Plug-In Hybrid Pickup

Schematic Of ALTe F-150 Drivetrain Conversion








ALTe has the solution. Question is, "Will anyone ever have the guts to use it?" We're talking about their drivetrain overhaul that can take a pickup which only gets 20-some mpg on the highway to a hybrid that can run for more than 50 miles in EV mode. The time for this automobile option has come and we would like to see the manufacturer's offer this as part of their line-up.

From Gas2.0:

I’ve had my fair share of trucks. I know they need to put up with a lot of abuse and neglect. These things are built to be used. Electric cars are coming, and soon, but it might take trucks a bit longer to catch on. Ford is taking a stab at it with its electric Transit Connect van, and Nissan is talking about an electric NV200. But neither is a pickup, and I haven’t seen too many electric trucks demonstrated. There aren’t even any truly viable hybrid pickups.

ALTe has a clever solution that sounds promising. At the World Truck Show, they unveiled an F-150 plug-in hybrid demonstration pickup with a 4-cylinder engine and a 25 kWh battery pack that they make some impressive claims about. For starters, a 52-mile all-electric range, and better gas mileage than most diesels.

I’m hopefully skeptical of this claim, as there are obvious complications when it comes to hybrid trucks. Pickups are tough, and heavy, and a hybrid system has to put up with a lot of abuse. I’m not saying it can’t, but nobody has really made one yet that justifies the extra cost. The Chevy Volt has the same basic setup as the ALTe pickup with a different name for the system (extended-range electric vehicle versus range-extended electric-powertrain).

The v8 engine is replaced by a 2.0 liter Ford four-cylinder engine that powers two electric Remy DC motors that crank out 295 ft-lbs of torque. They are hoping a 25 kWh battery pack will get the F-150 52 miles on an electric charge, at which point the 4-cylinder engine starts powering the motors. ALTe is aiming for 32 mpg with the four-cylinder engine running. The Tesla battery pack has 53 Kwh of power and can go 200 miles on a charge. But it is also a lot lighter and more aerodynamic than a truck as it is basically a Lotus Elise. It certainly sounds feasible, and the truck is supposed to be just 200 lbs heavier than stock. This would give the truck a range of 469 miles, better than the V8 trucks, while using less fuel. Sounds amazing… if they can do it.

According to Green Car Congress, ALTe says they are already in talks with several large car manufacturers. They do happen to have a former President and CEO of Chrysler (Tom LaSorda) and Executive Vice President of North American Sales and Marketing and Global Service and Parts. And Chrysler is, by outward claims, still looking to be a leader in electric cars at some point (although when/if is largely a mystery). This could be a real game changer, as most trucks with gas engines are stuck in the low-20’s still, even on the highway. With a better range and better gas mileage than the equivalent conventional petrol truck, Detroit better be paying attention.