Ford and Azure Dynamics introduce Transit Connect Electric passenger wagon

Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics Corporation are introducing a passenger wagon version of the Ford Transit Connect Electric. The wagon is a logical next step for Azure and Ford which first introduced an electrified Transit Connect in December 2010.

To create the Transit Connect Electric wagon, Azure integrates its Force Drive electric powertrain into the Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon. Using a liquid-cooled 28 kWh lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls, Transit Connect Electric wagon can achieve a range of 55 to 80 miles (86 to 129 km) on a single charge depending on driving conditions and ancillary power usage. The wagon has a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h).

Wagon owners will have the option of recharging Transit Connect Electric with either a standard 120-volt outlet, or preferably a 240-volt charging station, typically installed at the user’s base of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours. The vehicle’s charge port is located above the passenger-side rear wheel well in the spot typically used for conventional re-fueling.

The Transit Connect Electric wagon is built on a dedicated global van platform and offers a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, significant cargo capacity, accessibility, and low operating costs.

The partners suggest that the wagon is especially well-suited to campus settings such as those found at universities, military bases, health care facilities, airports and private businesses where frequent short-range routes are commonly traveled.

With the addition of the new Transit Connect Electric wagon, we expand our product portfolio and offer our commercial customers more versatility to meet their transportation needs with fully electric operation. As a derivative of our successful Transit Connect Electric cargo van, the wagon shares a common electric drive integration and glider helping to keep additional development cost low.

—Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO

Like its cargo van sibling, the Transit Connect Electric Wagon qualifies for the $7,500 federal incentive in the United States. In addition to federal incentives, fleet owners in California can receive an additional $15,000 incentive from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the first Transit Connect Electric van or wagon purchased for deployment in California. Subsequent purchases of Transit Connect Electric vans or wagons will qualify for an incentive of up to $12,000, with a maximum of 100 vans per customer.

Since its introduction in December 2010, more than 450 Transit Connect Electric vans have been purchased by commercial vehicle fleets including AT&T, Canada Post, DHL, FedEx Express, and Post Norway. Other early adopters of Transit Connect Electric include energy providers and private businesses seeking to better understand and utilize the benefits associated with electrified transportation.

Source: Green Car Congress

Hertz Adds Five Transit Connect Electric Vans to Its Fleet

PRESS RELEASE

The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ), the world's largest general use airport car rental brand, and Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) ("Azure"), a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for light and medium commercial vehicles, today jointly announced the addition of the innovative Ford Transit Connect Electric van into Hertz's fleet, a first for the car rental industry. The five Hertz units will be deployed mid-November at multiple locations as part of Hertz Entertainment Services and Hertz on Demand car sharing.

"Hertz Entertainment Services and Hertz on Demand customers have unique vehicle needs and the Transit Connect Electric is a perfect fit for customers looking for the latest in mobility solutions while also achieving best in class sustainability practices," commented Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We expect to deploy the Transit Connect Electric in our B to B programs for customers who need a light duty van with a high degree of cargo capacity as a part of their fleet solutions."

"Since launching last year, a broad cross-section of businesses including utilities, delivery companies and even law firms have used the Transit Connect Electric to green their fleets," said Nancy Gioia, director of global electrification, Ford Motor Company. "With its new Transit Connect Electric fleet, Hertz will allow even more businesses in a variety of new industries to experience 100 percent electric and zero-emissions driving."

"The value-add of working with a marquee rental company like Hertz is that multiple end-users will get behind the wheel and experience our Transit Connect Electric first hand," said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. "Although driving performance and cargo versatility will be familiar compared to the conventional product, our Force Drive(TM) powertrain runs entirely on electricity, producing zero tailpipe emissions, and will likely be the first electric drive experience for many of Hertz customers."

According to independent data, rental car companies collectively operate approximately 1.63 million vehicles in the United States. As the economy gains traction, it is expected that U.S. rental companies will add vehicles to their fleets including fuel efficient 'green' vehicles.

Hertz Entertainment Services rents vehicles to various studios and entertainment companies that often choose to rent vehicles during periods of increased activity. Hertz On Demand is a pay-on-demand car membership club based on hourly rental services. The Transit Connect Electric program is a chance for both divisions to explore opportunities for the van's inclusion in the fleet.

Hertz continues to improve the fuel economy of its vehicles through is Global EV eco-mobility program, which is championing an electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle mobility ecosystem that incorporates transportation options that minimize the impact of its operations on the environment and enables the company to continue consistent sound environmental behavior.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric utilizes Azure's proprietary electric powertrain system and Johnson Controls' advanced lithium-ion battery to achieve a range of 50 to 80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle and is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet. Commercial vans generally return to a central location at the end of each driving cycle making for easy overnight recharging. Use of the Transit Connect Electric vehicles will also reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

About Azure Dynamics

Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTC: AZDDF) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for light and medium commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with a variety of partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.

About Hertz

The Hertz Corporation, a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ), is the world's largest airport general use car rental brand, operating from approximately 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz also operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, through approximately 320 branches in the United States, Canada, France, Spain, China and Italy. For more information please visit www.hertz.com.

RøhneSelmer in Norway places early repeat order for 100 more Transit Connect Electric vans

Azure Dynamics Corporation announced that its Norwegian Ford dealership, RøhneSelmer, has signed an order for an additional 100 Transit Connect Electric vans. RøhneSelmer’s original order in March was for 58 units for various clients, among them Norway Post (Posten Norge AS).

We sold 50 Transit Connect Electric vans before the first unit was delivered to us and we’re confident we’ll sell many, many more the remainder of this year and beyond. It’s the right product for today’s Norwegian market.

— Anders Gadsboll, Sales Director of RøhneSelmer

With a 28 kWh battery pack, Transit Connect Electric has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a range of up to 130 km (80 miles) on a full charge. Transit Connect Electric can be recharged using standard European 220-volt outlets in approximately eight hours.

Transit Connect Electric is operating on a global stage and this early repeat order from RøhneSelmer is further validation of the value it brings to customers like Norway Post and others with shorter delivery routes and frequent stop and go driving conditions.

—Scott Harrison, Azure’s CEO

The Transit Connect Electric went into production in Europe in June this year following its production launch in North America in April, 2011.

Source: Green Car Congress