West Midlands electric vehicles specialist with US Government connections
Oct 19 2009 by John Cranage, Birmingham Post
A West Midland specialist in electric vehicle drivetrains will provide advanced technology for a US Government-backed electric commercial vehicle programme.
A range of electric delivery vehicles being developed for the North, Central and South American markets will use a highly integrated 70kW powertrain from Zytek, which is based near Lichfield in Staffordshire.
Developed with the support of a $39 million (£23 million) US grant, the vehicles will be manufactured by a new joint venture company being established by US truck supplier Navistar and the Coventry-based electric commercial vehicle specialist Modec.
Zytek says its E-Drive provides an “ideal basis” for electric vehicle (EV) development because it allows fast integration with new or existing vehicle platforms and is thoroughly proven.
A substantial number of units are already in service as part of successful programmes that include Daimler’s smart ed and Modec’s existing range of electric light commercial vehicles.
Zytek has also provided technology and integration expertise for General Motors and Chrysler to support production and concept vehicle programmes.
The US Modec/Navistar application will be for a new generation of class 2c-3 vehicles optimised for suburban/urban pick and drop applications.
To provide good performance for high productivity combined with excellent hill start capability when fully laden, the new vehicle will use a 70kw, 300Nm version of Zytek’s E-Drive, which is also available in 55kW 120Nm and 55kW 160Nm versions.
The grant will help fund the development, validation and deployment of an initial batch of 400 vehicles during 2010. Gross vehicle weight will be 12,100lb (5.5 tonnes) and the latest lithium ion batteries will provide a range exceeding 100 miles.
Zytek’s sales and marketing director Steve Tremble believes that electric vehicles present a compelling proposition for stop-start drive cycles.
“An EV’s operating characteristics bring far more than zero emissions at the point of deployment,” he said.
“A thoroughly engineered vehicle will bring substantial fuel savings, combined with high productivity, near silent operation and very low maintenance costs.
“E-Drive allows vehicle manufacturers to enter this market quickly.”
