New Technology Plugs into Hybrid Car Market

Advanced Battery Technology, Jul 2005

EDrive Systems LLC recently displayed its new hybrid technology on a retrofitted Toyota Prius. At first, the EDrive retrofit will be offered for the Prius only, but will expand into other hybrid models.

The technology will allow users to recharge their vehicles using a standard, three-prong electrical outlet. A vehicle on a full eight-hour charge will achieve gas mileage reaching 100-150mpg for up to 60 miles on the highway. A conventional Prius gets 45-55mpg.

The EDrive technology also will allow running in an electric-only mode for zero emissions. However, the company says that the electric-only mode is made for "neighborhood speeds" only. Once the charge runs out, the system switches to the normal hybrid systems of the Prius.

The company says the technology uses one-half to one-third of the gasoline used by a conventional hybrid.

EDrive Systems is a joint venture of Energy CS Inc. and Clean-Tech LLC of California. Monrovia's Energy CS specializes in fuel cell technologies; Los Angeles' Clean-Tech develops and builds low- and zero-emission systems for off-road, light and medium-duty vehicles.

For more information, visit www.edrivesystems.com.