AC Propulsion and AutoPort, Inc. Partner to Develop EV Conversion Prototype for US Postal Service Feasibility Study
20 January 2010
AC Propulsion and AutoPort, an automotive conversion, restyling and processing company, will partner in engineering, development and conversion to provide an Electric Vehicle conversion prototype and report for the United States Postal Service. The USPS chose this as one of five solutions in a feasibility study for the possible conversion of its 142,000 Long Life Vehicles (LLVs) to plug-in Battery Electric Vehicles.
With the AC Propulsion and AutoPort solution, the current USPS LLV design will be stripped of the gasoline engine, transmission and other components and refitted with the AC Propulsion AC-150 drive system, an integrated power system that includes an AC induction motor, inverter, charger and 12V power supply. AutoPort will convert the vehicle on-site at its facilities in New Castle, Delaware. The converted vehicle will comply with Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Safety SAE J2344, and all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
AC Propulsion and AutoPort’s solution offers the low cost of ownership and revenue producing potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology integrated into its drive system.
AC Propulsion and AutoPort’s solution will be tested against the USPS’ requirements at AutoPort’s facilities, and then will be placed into service in the DC metro area for at least one year, where they will be monitored for carrier satisfaction, cost of operation and maintenance.
AC Propulsion’s proprietary tzero technology is a complete solution for electric vehicles, and can be customized for every class of electric vehicle, from a sports car to an SUV to an 8-ton city bus. Products within in tzero product suite include:
- Drive System: includes an integrated, bi-directional battery charger, Power Electronics Unit (PEU) and Motor
- Battery Management System: manages and extends battery range and operating life
- Vehicle Management System: controls operation and provides an interface to other components of the vehicle
Resources
US Postal Service Electrification of Delivery Vehicles (28 August 2009)
This is a very interesting project because most Postal Vehicles are excellent candidates for (100 Km to 150 Km) BEVs. Overnight charging would be adequate for most.
Posted by: HarveyD | 20 January 2010 at 10:03 AM
Better late than never, no wait - it's another study..
Posted by: kelly | 20 January 2010 at 01:56 PM
142,000 AC-150 powered Mail vans with the same EV powertrain as the tzero/ E-Mini and Tesla Roadster?
That should redefine the term 'hauling the mail'
Posted by: Paul | 20 January 2010 at 02:19 PM
There are many unknowns regarding EVs that this feasibility study can, and should address.
"Can electricity flow in wires, from batteries to electric motors in close proximity to bulk mail and individual letters" is just one.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 20 January 2010 at 04:04 PM
ELECTRICITY, in WIRES, in close proximity to MAIL?! Ye gods, say it ain't so! We need to check out all the processing centers and private homes to make sure nothing is happening with the grid electricity either!
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 21 January 2010 at 02:40 AM
Between 1996 and 2002 alone, over 5,000 EV's were driven in California and other states. If only 2,000 EV's were driven 40 miles daily during 5 years, that is:
2,000x40x5x365 = 146,000,000 miles!!
How many million miles of 'trials' are supposed to be needed to accept the fact that no gasoline, fewer moving parts, less required maintenance, and lower life cycle costs are good for consumers?
Posted by: kelly | 21 January 2010 at 09:58 AM