Tom Gage, President of AC Propulsion, demonstrates his company's tzero.
Electric Vehicle Symposium #20 (EVS 20): Wrap-Up Report. The Symposium Took Place November 15-19, 2003.
This Report Is Not A Comprehensive Listing Of All The Companies That Were At EVS-20. There were too many important people and products and events for any one person to cover more than a small fraction of them.
Posted: April 15, 2004, by Josh Landess
From November 15-November 19 2003 I attended Electric Vehicle Symposium #20 as an assistant to EVworld.com Chief Editor Bill Moore. I drove or rode in almost every vehicle, and I met a lot of people in the business. Here are some of my notes, press conference sound file recordings, observations and multimedia files. They are in alphabetical order, by company name.
Video Files:
1. Under the Hood of the VW Plug-In Hybrid (1 minute, 2 megabytes, .wmv format)
2. tzero, at rest, then in motion (not a top-acceleration run) (45 seconds, 2.21 megabytes, .wmv format)
Sound File: (5 minutes, 2.8 megabytes, mp3 format): Test Drive AC Propulsion VW Plug-In Hybrid, Discussion with ACP Representative Lynell Jackson
Pictures:
Tom
Gage, President of AC Propulsion, demonstrates his company's tzero.
Another
picture of the tzero.
This
AC Propulsion-VW is modified to be a true PIHEV
(Plug-In-Hybrid-Electric-Vehicle).
The
famous electric ACP motor, 150 kw (about 201 hp).
Text Notes: Comments on these pictures, ACP Products and the importance of PIHEVs.
Sound File: Interview With Jay Goldman Regarding Fast Charging (mp3 format, 1.1 meg, 7:32)
Text Note: I also spoke informally with Dr. MacReady, the legendary top man at Aero, but did not have my recorder with me. He gave some guidelines as to what he was looking for in batteries for Battery-powered air vehicles. From memory, I think his criteria for the battery he desired included a certain weight and volume and costing, and I think he expressed that we are now close to these points, with the latest Lithium efforts.
Allison Division of GM: Hybrid Bus.
It
was announced around the time of the show that more than a couple
hundred of these Hybrids would be delivered soon to Seattle. It has
some limited, (under 15 mph), all-EV-mode capability for the Seattle
order because of some need for zero-emissions in tunnels and other
areas there.
Sound File: Test Drive and Discussion with Allison Engineer: (16 Minutes, 3.75 megabytes, mp3 format)
Sound File: The Alpha EV Press Conference (6 minutes, 1 megabyte, .mp3 format). The first speaker is the CEO (to the right, in the picture below), then Mike Soto (speaking in the picture below), then Q+A.
Sound File: (mp3, 4:38, 682 kb) A recording of parts of my test-ride and my questions to Tamera Duara of Anuvu.
Text File: A summary of the sound file information.
Avestor: Lithium-Metal-Polymer Battery
Sound File: Interview at the Avestor Booth with Christian St. Pierre regarding Avestor Li-Metal-Poly Telecommunications Batteries and EV Batteries. (10 minutes, 1.5 meg, mp3 format)
Photo:
On the left: Prototype Li-Metal-Poly Purpose-built for use with Evs (21 kWh), with 'projected' specifications: 175 kg (about 385 pounds), 120 Wh/kg.
On the right: The whole battery, with a section cut away for viewing.
Text File: Transcription of discussion with Tim Tracey, and our Test Ride on Methanol Fueled Fuel Cell Bus
A
picture of some of the (fairly loud) methanol fuel cell bus
machinery.
Brigham Young University: Maxwell Ultracapacitor Powered EV1 ¼ Mile EV Drag Racer
Sound File: (mp3, 296 kb, 2 minutes): Interview with Dr. Tom Erekson: ¼ Mile in 15.9 Seconds @ 77 mph, with just one gear. The goal for the next effort, with 2 gears: hopefully under 13 seconds @ 100 mph. Discussion of Dean Kamen's (Segway Inventor) amazed reaction to the BYU Capacitor Powered Drag Racer.
Sound File: (mp3, 9 minutes 30 seconds, 557 kb) Press Conference: Discussion, and Q+A of program for H2 Transit Busses.
Ebus: Battery and Hybrid Diesel-Electric Busses and Trolleys
NiCd
powered ebus has been in operation for years in Southern California
Text Synopsis of test-ride and conversation with Andy Eklov and Dale Hill
Electric Vehicle Technologies (EVT)
Video: (2.5 meg, 0:51 duration, .wmv format) This video shows a variety of bikes being ridden during public day, including Wavecrest, EVT, etc. The EVT bike is only at the very beginning and end.
Electrovaya: Lithium Ion SuperPolymer Technology, Canada
Sound File: Press Conference (2 meg, 13:43)
Evionyx: Metal Fuel Cells, NiZn Batteries
Sound File: Press Conference (11:57, 3.5 Mb)
(Press Conference)
Text Notes: (This was the last press conference, and I was standing far away and regrettably the sound file did not come out very well. So I will make just a few brief notes. Readers are directed to the EVS21 Website if they wish to consider possibly attending the April 2005 Electric Vehicle Symposium.)
Gaia: Advanced Lithium Battery Systems
Sound File: Press Conference (4:58, 1.46 Mb) The sound quality is not good, but I will include it for now.
Sound Files:
1. Mostly GEM part of Daimler Chrysler Press Conference Q+A (Rick Caspar of GEM speaking?) (mp3, 2.4 meg, 6:49) [Note: the sound quality unfortunately did not come out not as good during the part of the Press Conference where DaimlerChrysler's other alt-fuel relevant efforts were discussed, else I'd provide that as well.]
2. Excerpt of Conversation With Rick Caspar, GEM (mp3, 414 kb, 1:10)
Summary of some thoughts in and out of the sound files: Things are going well at GEM, and this wholly owned DaimlerChrysler subsidiary is profitable. Even though they're presently an LSEV maker, in some respect there is substantial potential for even more. I also test-rode a newer vehicle that had some doors, to give them my reaction.
Text: (Recorded November 15, 2003, posted July 6, 2004) Notes on some GM Hybrid Technical Issues (mild hybrid definitions, discussion of advantages of other vehicles which have a “pure parallel hybrid platform, etc.).
Honda
Fuel Cell Vehicle
Behind
the Wheel of a Honda Fuel Cell Vehicle, including a display to show
the Capacitor's activities.
A
display in the Conference hall showing a Ballard-Honda combined
setup, such as we test-rode.
Video: Fuel Cell Vehicle Test Ride (8.9 meg (very large... sorry), 4:36 duration, .wmv format)
Text: Notes from the Test-Ride in Honda's Fuel Cell Vehicle, and from a conversation with Honda's Stephen Ellis
ISE Research – Thundervolt: Hybrid Electric Buses
Text: Interview With Josh Goldman of ISE (Editorial Note: This interview took place in November 2003, but I am posting it July 2004. Mr. Goldman provided enough educational information about ISE's Hybrid bus efforts so that I think the text may be of some use to some, as background research).
It Is Electric: Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (Dynasty Motorcar Corporation, BC, Canada)
(convertible
in background.... NEV in foreground designed by a famous designer who
has designed vehicles for Porsche, Audi, Callaway).
Sound File: (3:31, 1.23 Meg) Interview With Dynasty Motorcar Representative
Text File: Comments and Quotes
Link: 4/7/2004: Evworld.com Premium Article -- Interview with Bruce Wood of John Deere's E-Drive Development Group
[In the pictures above, look carefully at how the front and rear wheels turn to produce the zig-zag direction motion of the vehicle. “Crab Steering”. A John Deere representative was driving, because driving it requires some getting-used-to. Note that this is a Fuel Cell Vehicle, powered by Hydrogenics.]
Sound Files:
1. Discussion with John Deere Market Research Representative, (2:19, 1.06 MB) Her job is to assess and learn about the market for these concept and alt-fuel and high-tech vehicles. I passed on to her that I think John Deere, Caterpillar, et. al. warranty their diesel engines to work with B100 Biodiesel and other Biofuels, so that farmers can use their tractors, under warranty, with fuel that they have made for themselves. John Deere was perhaps the only company in their niche that I noticed at EVS20, and it was impressive to see their efforts.
LG Chemical: Lithium Ion Polymer Rechargeable Batteries For Evs and HEVs
Lithium
Ion Polymer Battery, prototype, purpose-built for HEVs, presently in
testing or available for testing with manufacturers. While the tzero
is powered by more than 6000 LG off-the-shelf batteries (not
pictured), those batteries were high-energy batteries intended for
such uses as laptop computers. The 7.5 Amp-Hour prototype pictured
above is purpose-built for high-power applications such as an HEV.
This
one is for ebikes. It is hard to tell the amp-hours from the picture.
I believe the sign says 10 ah.
I
shot video of this, but was conversing with a representative and
failed to note precisely what it is. The sign on it says HEV 144
Volts, so I am wondering if it is also a prototype that fits in with
LG's present activities of making such products available to Major
Auto Manufacturers for testing.
The
high-tech LG Video Screen at their booth; it was one of the first
things you'd see in the Symposium Hall, at one of the entrances. LG
does quite a bit more than chemicals and batteries. They make, for
example, refrigerators, cell phones and all manner of other products.
I try to keep an eye out for companies not based in the US or Japan
who might put forth credible quality affordable mass-produced
advanced batteries and EV-related equipment. The usual contenders are
from such places as Taiwan and China and Canada, but LG, from South
Korea, fits the bill.
Maxwell: Ultracapacitors
Text File: Discussion with Richard Smith
Media Roundtable
This event occurred the night before the official opening of the conference (maybe so that we could get uncomfortable questions out of the way?). Presenting were six executives from some of the big carmakers, (Ford, Nissan, Daimler, Ken Stewart of GM, ...) with Bob Stempel (former GM CEO and current Ovonics Executive) as Chair.
The speakers gave some individualized presentations (On issues of the Economics of Environmental problems and solutions?) and then they allowed for press questions. For some reason, most of us really wimped out. But they read pre-submitted questions aloud, and one of mine was read, regarding the future for Plug-In Hybrids. None of the automaker representatives responded with any enthusiasm at all to this particular type of hybrid, but the Toyota rep did allow that while they did not have this type of hybrid presently in the cards, it might be possible someone might take it up.
The sound file I have from this is terrible, as it came from sitting in the audience of a lengthy presentation at a large gathering, and I do not presently have resources to make notes from it. However, Press Attendees who might go to EVS21 might want to take note that if they do repeat this roundtable (I liked it), the Symposium did in fact put some pretty good people on the stage and give us a crack at them and let us hear some of their ideas.
Nippon Chemi-Con: Capacitors, Double-Layer Capacitors, Inverters, Other Products
Text File: Transcription of Conversation With Tony Olita
Nissan
Fuel Cell Vehicle riding through parking lot, giving test-rides on
public day.
Video Clip: (2 meg, 42 seconds) I made this riding in the Nissan FCV . The clip is brief and not good quality, but it will reinforce for some readers how normal some of these Fuel Cell Vehicle Rides seemed to be. Also, you can see that it's right-hand drive (for Japan), and the very cool LCD readout on the dash is visible.
Text Notes: Synopsis of Video and Comments
Opal-RT (“RT Technology”): PC Based Electric Drive Simulation for Controller and Other Development
1. Link to News Release at the company's website regarding their EVS-20 Presentation.
2. Opal-RT Press Conference, Q+A (10: 45, 5 Mb) (The second part of this conference was particularly hard to hear, but I will include the whole thing).
Ovonics: Materials Research, Advanced Product Development, Photovoltaics, Hydrogen Storge, NiMh Batteries, Etc.
Prototype
City-Car Delivery Vehicle for European Markets. Vehicle Designed by
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) of Germany. Batteries by
Ovonic.
Test Ride and Discussion: Brief Text Notes
Patrick Droulers: A Paris-based Consultant visiting EVS-20 on behalf of several important companies.
Sound File: (mp3, 4:15, 626 kb): The importance of the proper weighting of a chassis in designing an EV. Also DMFC fuel cells, and some guidelines as to their economics and best uses.
Personal Electric Transports (PET)
(Their Website http://www.personalelectric.com/ doesn't appear to have any useful information as of this writing, but they were at the show both outside with vehicles and inside at a booth to present their ideas).
Video
File: 3.7 meg, 1
minute-20 seconds. A member of the public tries PET's 3-wheel
vehicle stand-up vehicle, and a representative demonstrates it. In a
way this vehicle seemed slightly similar in function to a Segway.
Text Notes: Discussion with CEO Anthony Locricchio
REVA: “India's First Electric Car”
Sound File: Composite of Conversations with Diego, Chetan and Catherine
Text File: Some transcription and Summary of the Interviews, particularly as regards the topic of the lack of a Middle Speed City-Car type classification in the U.S. Federal Framework for classifying vehicles, and how this lack serves as an impediment to introduction of such cars to U.S. Roads.
Related Links: Partners, More about the company
“EV Works” appeared to be a company that was working to bring the REVA to the US, and had some identification with the folks I interviewed, but I cannot find information for this corporate identity on the net.
Ridek: “A New Class Of Battery Electric Car”
Sound File: Press Conference (5 minutes, 1.8 Mb)
Roush Industries Group: Application Integration Company For The Automotive Industry
Sound File: Press Conference (8:17, 2.7 MB)
SAFT: French Battery Maker. World Leader In Industrial NiCd.
Text: Links To EVWorld.com Premium Article
SCE: Southern California Edison: Utility operating a fleet of approximately 300 RAV4 EVs
RAV4
EV has a sign on it designating that it has gone 100,000 miles. I
drove it, and it is still one of my personal favorite alt-fuel
vehicles, in part because of its quiet smooth ride. This is no mere
“prototype”: There are hundreds or more in service around
Southern California and elsewhere.
Sound File: Robert Saunders of SCE briefs me on their fleet of 300 or so RAV4 Evs.
Text File: Discussion with Mr. Saunders.
Text File: Discussion with 2nd SCE rep. She had sent out questionaires and had received feedback on the pros and cons of SCE's EV fleet.
Stuart: Hydrogen Generation and Infrastructure Products
Sound
File: Press
Conference Excerpt
Note: I came late to this press conference, so this sound file is just an excerpt. I note that it is a measure of how many important things there were to see at EVS-20 ... that I didn't get a chance to investigate further the behind-the-scenes Hydrogen refueling area. This would have given me more of a first-hand ability to evaluate the viability of Hydrogen Storage and Refueling for the average person at home. The picture above is not of a Hydrogen refueling center that was used for the Hydrogen-powered cars at EVS-20. It is just a demonstration unit that Stuart set up so that we could get an idea of things.
Sumitomo: Neomax Neodymium-Iron-Boron Magnets In Hybrid Vehicle Motors
Text: Discussion With Sumitomo Representative
TM4: a subsidiary of Hydroquebec.
Video: Here is an edited video (5 meg, 3 minutes, wmv) of what I saw at this booth.
Text Notes: Comments and Synopsis of Interview and Video
UC Davis - GMC Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PIHEV)
Link
to a story about this Hybrid SUV.
Sound File: My Test Ride in this vehicle, and discussion with UC Davis Representative and Fellow Passengers.
Text File: Edited Transcription of my Test Ride and Discussion
UC Davis-Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV):
Here is a 5 minute 23 second clip (4.8 megabytes) of a test-ride and conversation in the Toyota FCHV. For the sake of bandwidth (both the readers' and our own), I sacrificed quality and brought the size down from 15 megabytes.
Text: Notes From The Video
Valence Technology: Lithium Ion Batteries
Text: Links To EVWorld.com Premium Article, Interview with Mark Kohler: part I, part II, part III
Vectrix
100 km/hr NiMH Pure-Battery-Powered Scooter. As of 4/2004, slated for
release in Italy and UK, tentatively in Q1 2005, and then hopefully
the U.S., tentatively 2006.
A
shot of the dash of the battery-powered scooter.
Prototype
Hybrid [Fuel Cell/NiMH Battery] Scooter, Specs: 100 km/hr top speed,
250 km range. Possible Introduction 2007?
Another
shot of the prototype Fuel-Cell-Battery Hybrid Scooter, where you can
see the power specs on the fuel cell.
Text: Link to an article which puts Vectrix's Efforts into some perspective. The article does a good job of listing the various companies involved in the effort.
Text: My summary of information from the Vectrix Press Conference, a phone call I made to them later on, and some of my own comments.
Here is a brief video clip (33 seconds, 1.6 meg, no sound) of a couple of wavecrest EV-Bikes in operation. You can see the distinctive large motor-hub in the center of the wheels, and that the vehicles can be pedaled or use electric power.
Just
a darn fine looking sports car, to my eye. Sort of a showcase for
their power technology, if I understood.
Inside
the car.
A
representative of Wavecrest said that he thought their battery
technology was quite impressive, and he had just come from a project
working at a major carmaker on a Hybrid Project, so he had some
perspective to say this. The battery technology appears to be of a
sort that applies to more than one type of chemistry.
Zap
CEO Dan Schneider at the Press Conference
Sound File: Press Conference (13 minutes, 4.9 MB)
Zytek: Prototype Smart Car With Zebra Batteries
Text Notes: Conversation with Bill Gibson, Zytek Chairman and test-ride with Dan Rendell, Manager of Zytek Electric Vehicles. (These conversations took place November 2003, but are posted July 2004. I would with-hold posting of out-dated information but this was a remarkable car and I want to share what little info I have in case it is still of use to some).