By Greentech Lead America: Enova, a developer of
proprietary hybrid electric and all-electric drive systems and drive system
components for the emerging green commercial vehicle market, announced that it
is developing a next generation system, code named ACUMEN. The system is
designed to interface with all worldwide EV and HEV systems, including those
powered by natural gas.
In the development of ACUMEN system, Enova evaluated and
utilized technologies that are emerging worldwide. To develop ACUMEN system the
company recently hosted EV France, a consortium of top French automotive
manufacturers, suppliers, clusters and research laboratories working
in the field of hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles, advanced batteries and
infrastructure support.
Enova met with EV France representatives to forge
research, commercial and partnership opportunities.
“Enova’s aggressive approach towards forging worldwide
partnerships should further strengthen our ability to control distribution
channels and move past the caution that currently exists,” Mike Staran,
president and CEO, Enova.
The ACUMEN components are intended to feature a
significantly smaller package, improved efficiencies and reduced weight, while
achieving close to double the power density of older generation designs and
competitors products.
The new system will be power-source agnostic, including
natural gas, and will offer increased application flexibility and ease of
integration. With all digital control and plug-and-play connectivity, Enova
intends to design ACUMEN to be compatible with all vehicle drive systems and
motors so that it can be configured for HEV, PHEV and EV applications.
Enova believes that recent reluctance in the industry to
deploy large volumes of EVs validates the need for groups to compliment each
other’s technologies to drive the industry.
“The industry is at a position where we are trying
to get enough critical mass to move forward, yet there remains extreme caution
and a lack of urgency in regards to larger volume EV deployments,” added
Staran.
Enova
ships hybrid drive systems to First Auto Works
Recently, Enova shipped 50 hybrid drive systems to First
Auto Works (FAW) in 2012. Enova has also received incremental order for hybrid
drive system components in excess of $200,000 for delivery in Q2 and Q3 2012
from the Chinese vehicle manufacture.