Enova Systems Shows Ze, Outlines Planned Improvements in School Bus Plug-in Hybrid Drive
13 August 2009
| The Ze electric drive system. Click to enlarge. |
Enova brought its Ze (zero emissions) commercialized all-electric step-van to the Plug-in 2009 conference in Long Beach. Engineered specifically for urban delivery routes and service/maintenance operations, the Enova Ze plug-in step van drive system offers a range of up to 150 miles per charge and can reach a top speed of 65 mph. Operating costs are projected to be $.08- $.10 per mile—significantly less than the average of $.24-$.48 per mile in a comparable diesel vehicle.
Enova is supplying drive systems to Smith Electric Vehicles, and recently announced a major contract with First Auto Works (FAW) in China for hybrid buses. (Earlier post.) The Ze gives Enova entry into the chassis manufacturer market, said James Badalamenti, Director Worldwide Sales and Marketing. Ultimately, he said, Enova would like to evolve its position to become a Tier 1 supplier to commercial OEM chassis manufacturers.
| Undercarriage of the Ze. Click to enlarge. |
The Ze features an Enova 120 kW drive system that produces 472 lb-ft (640 N·m) of torque. The vehicle uses a split Li-ion battery pack, allowing customers to select a lower-priced option for shorter range. Enova can provide the Ze system either as a turnkey solution for new vehicles or as a conversion or retrofit.
The US Air Force has been evaluating the Ze drive system for more than a year, with positive results. Enova has demonstrated the Ze to USPS, Aramark, Amazon.com, UPS, the US Army, the Department of Energy, and several other national fleets and vehicle OEMs.
| “The vehicle performs very well and is ideal for a large number of delivery routes.” —James Badalamenti |
Enova’s plug-in electric drive train systems have already been applied to more than 400 route delivery vehicles on a range of chassis platforms in Europe and the US during the past three years. As a result of the expansion of its relationship with Smith Electric Vehicles, Enova’s 120kW all-electric drive systems were recently seen in Smith’s Newton delivery trucks that were deployed with AT&T, Frito Lay, Staples, Coca-Cola, Pacific Gas & Electric and Kansas City Power & Light. (Earlier post.)
Plug-in school bus. Enova has been supplying two types of hybrid systems to Navistar for application in school buses: a charge-sustaining post-transmission hybrid, and a post-transmission hybrid with a plug-in option. (Earlier post.)
Recently, Enova and Navistar/IC Bus announced a US Department of Energy (DOE) award under the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Technology Acceleration and Deployment Activity program for 60 PHEV school busses. (Earlier post.)
The three-year project will result in an enhanced all-electric drive capability for the plug-in, said Aaron Shay, Director, Vehicle Integration. The school buses are intended to opreate in all-electric mode at speeds up to 35 mph.
how about building these vehicles a little closer to home,say the US or Canada?
We could subsidize this with the 60 billion dollars,we are forced to GIVE to Israel this year.
Posted by: cacada | 14 August 2009 at 03:47 AM