Raser Technologies (NYSE ARCA:RZ) announced it is developing a 100-mile-per-gallon (mpg) light truck in addition to a 100-mpg SUV.
Raser’s plug-in electric drive system is designed to allow light trucks such as the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, or Dodge Ram to achieve over 100 mpg in typical local daily driving with near zero emissions, by using electricity instead of petroleum as the primary fuel.
The announcement comes as Raser nears completion of a 100 mpg SUV demonstration vehicle, built in cooperation with a global OEM, using the same drive system.
Unlike most hybrid or even plug-in hybrid vehicles that still rely mainly on a combustion engine, an extended range electric truck (E-REV) using Raser’s drive system is propelled entirely by a powerful 200 kW peak electric motor using lithium ion batteries.
The truck is being developed in cooperation with the Plug-In Hybrid Consortium Development (www.HybridConsortium.org) and is designed to operate with zero direct emissions during typical local daily driving.
"Successful demonstration of Raser’s E-REV drive system in utility and government fleets may lead the way to mass production of 100 mpg trucks and a revival in truck sales," said James Spellman, Vice President of Transportation Business Development for Raser Technologies.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California will test and demonstrate one of the first E-REV pick-up trucks from Raser Technologies. In February, PG&E signed an agreement with Raser Technologies to purchase two plug-in hybrid SUVs using Raser’s electric drive system for early testing and demonstration.
Andrew Tang, senior director of smart energy web at PG&E, said, "PG&E has one of the largest private fleets in the nation, which includes a large portion of pick-up trucks. We are particularly excited to work with Raser to demonstrate the benefits of applying plug-in hybrid electric technology to light trucks."
Raser’s plug-in hybrid trucks are expected to cut operational fuel costs up to 75% by driving in all-electric mode during typical daily fleet routes of up to 40 miles. When driving beyond the 40-mile battery electric range, the E-REV trucks may continue up to 400 miles by generating their own electricity.
Raser has already established a development agreement with a leading global automaker and a leading automotive integrator to build a 100 mpg plug-in hybrid electric SUV using Raser’s proprietary electric drive system and award-winning SymetronTM technology.
About Raser Technologies
Raser is a publicly-traded, environmentally focused technology licensing and development company operating in two business segments. Raser’s Power Systems segment is seeking to develop clean, renewable geothermal electric power plants and bottom-cycling operations, incorporating licensed heat transfer technology and Raser’s SymetronTM technology developed internally by its Transportation and Industrial Technology segment. Raser’s Transportation and Industrial Technology segment focuses on extended-range plug-in-hybrid vehicle solutions and using Raser’s award-winning SymetronTM technology to improve the torque density and efficiency of the electric motors and drive systems used in electric and hybrid-electric vehicle powertrains and industrial applications.
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