ALTe Powertrain Technologies Launches Second Vehicle Line for Plug-in Electric Hybrid Powertrain Systems
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., – March 22, 2012 –ALTe Powertrain Technologies (ALTe), the developer of the first range-extended plug-in electric hybrid powertrain for light commercial fleet vehicle applications, announced today that it has successfully installed its powertrain system in a second line of vehicles – the Ford Econoline E350 platform. ALTe has already successfully implemented conversions in Ford F150 trucks, which have been driven by dozens of potential fleet customers. This new line will offer more choices to fleet managers who seek to convert their fleets to plug-in electric hybrid.
ALTe began engineering development on the Ford E350 platform in late 2011 reflecting the popularity of this vehicle in the fleet industry. There are currently more than 125,000 E350 vans of the 2004-2010 model years registered to corporate, government and utility fleet owners in the U.S. Because fleets typically drive two to five times the average miles of retail and individual consumers, the fuel consumption, emissions reductions and financial returns for this target market are significant.
“This successful conversion is another example of how ALTe’s plug-in electric hybrid powertrain will revolutionize the fleet industry,” said John Thomas, CEO and co-founder of ALTe. “With this new conversion, ALTe sees a huge opportunity to reach more fleet customers and show them how their used fleet vehicles can gain a second life with better fuel economy when equipped with an ALTe powertrain.”
ALTe’s road tests revealed that this E350 cutaway chassis prototype can drive approximately 25 miles in an all-electric mode and then deliver nearly 15mpg in a charge-sustained mode. These performance levels should continue to improve as ALTe incorporates production level components and refines various engineering algorithms. For a typical fleet vehicle that drives 45 miles per day, the combined mode fuel economy would be over 30mpg, while a similar Ford E350 cutaway chassis with a V8 engine is only able to achieve less than nine mpg, based on data provided by major fleets.
ALTe will deliver the E350 prototype to its first potential fleet customer for evaluation this month, with plans to build more prototypes for customer evaluations throughout the year. ALTe continues to target a Spring 2013 product launch date for the U.S. market.
|
CHICAGO, IL, – June 7, 2012 – ALTe Powertrain Technologies, developer of the first range-extended plug-in electric hybrid powertrain for light commercial fleet vehicle applications, today announced that it has created a Commitment to Action as part of the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) meeting. ALTe has committed to spur adoption of hybrid electric technology in the worldwide fleet industry and bolster clean technology jobs in America.
| May 16, 2012 – The crew at Translogic took the time to stop by and see the the team at ALTe Powertrain Technologies. Founded by a group of former Tesla Motors executives, the company focuses on building plug-in hybrid conversions for fleet vehicles.
| AUBURN HILLS, Mich., – April 16, 2012 – ALTe Powertrain Technologies and Club Assist today announced a joint development project to study ALTe’s powertrain technology in Club Assist’s fleet. Project will be a first for Club Assist, a company committed to electrification of fleets.
| AUBURN HILLS, Mich., – March 22, 2012 –ALTe more than doubles miles per gallon for the popular E350 full-size fleet van.
| February 29, 2012 – Extended range electric vehicle powertrain company ALTe (earlier post) is tracking to produce a limited number of production-caliber vehicle powertrains by December, and plans to ramp up production in the first quarter of 2013.
| January 11, 2012 – Alternative-fuel and fuel-efficient vehicles are increasingly becoming fleet mainstays — electric vehicles and hybrids are a common sight in a growing number of fleets
| December 3, 2011 – ALTe Powertrain Technologies and Coda Automotive are two of America’s Most Promising Companies, according to Forbes. The conservative business mag’s annual list spotlights 100 privately-held companies with compelling business models, strong management teams, plenty of capital, and notable customers and strategic partners.
| AUBURN HILLS, Mich., – December 1, 2011 – Forbes Magazine has named ALTe Powertrain Technologies (ALTe), developer of the first range-extended plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain for light commercial fleet vehicle applications, as one of America’s Most Promising Companies.
| October 30, 2011 – Before there ever was an EcoBoost engine, Ford sold tons of F-150 trucks as fleet vehicles with engines that were far more gas guzzling. Now, ALTe is ready to convert many of those trucks with its proprietary ALTe Green Box as shown at The Battery Show 2011.
| October 27, 2011 – No thanks, the three founders of ALTe Powertrain Technologies told Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk when Tesla decided to close its Michigan Tech Center. Rather than move to Palo Alto and continue work on luxury electric vehicles, we’ll stay in Michigan and start a new company on the eve of an industry downturn to build an alternative powertrain for light commercial vehicles. |