ALLENTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Battery (www.internationalbattery.com), a U.S. manufacturer and developer of large-format Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, today congratulates the West Philly Hybrid X Team for winning the 100 mile fuel economy Road Rally at the Green Grand Prix held at Watkins Glenn Roadway. The High School automotive team entered its EVX GT hybrid supercar that uses International Battery’s Lithium-ion technology for energy storage. The car earned a semifinalist position in Progressive’s Automotive XPrize competition last summer.
The Green Grand Prix attracted 45 competitors including industry giants such as the Chevy Volt and GM’s fuel cell powered SUV as well as homemade vehicles such as a Model “A” designed to run off of propane. West Philly also faced off against three other formidable Automotive XPrize participants including a team from Cornell University. The International Battery-sponsored EVX GT was declared the winner of the 100-mile race achieving 160 miles per gallon (MPG)—making it the most fuel efficient vehicle to participate in the competition.
The modified Factory Five GTM supercar has a unique hybrid configuration using a Volkswagen 1.9 liter biodiesel engine and an electric drive system, powered in part by International Battery’s innovative large-format Lithium-ion battery cells. The battery design incorporates 50 Ah lithium-nickel cobalt manganese cells and contains a total of 8.8 kWh. A modular design, in four packs distributed throughout the car, allows a nominal operating voltage of 180 volts.
A key advantage to utilizing International Battery’s large-format energy storage systems is the company’s unique Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS monitors the voltage and temperature of each cell and provides continuous balancing of the system, maintaining an even state of charge across all cells. The large-format of the prismatic cells results in a less complex system with fewer thermal management issues. This technology allows the EVX GT to be a more efficient and reliable vehicle.
“The Green Grand Prix was a competitive race and a true test of the combination of the EVX GT’s biodiesel engine and International Battery’s Lithium-ion battery system,” explained Dr. Ake Almgren, International Battery’s CEO. “We are very impressed with their results and congratulate the West Philly Hybrid X team for this major accomplishment.”
“It feels great to be in the winner’s circle,” elated Simon Hauger, West Philly’s Director. “I think we have a compelling car; it’s sexy, it’s fast, and we just got over 100 miles per gallon on a world famous track. Not bad for a high school.”
The partnership between the West Philly Team and International Battery began during the Automotive XPrize competition. During the competition the West Philly Hybrid X Team’s EVX GT out performed 90 other teams including MIT and Tesla, and was also the only high school team to end up in the semifinals.
For more details on the EVX West Philly Hybrid X Team, visit its web site at http://www.evxteam.org. For more information about International Battery, please visit: www.internationalbattery.com. Both International Battery and the EVX GT car will be in attendance at the Sustainable Energy Fund’s annual Energy Path event at DeSales University June 29 and 30, 2011. For more information, visit www.energypath2011.com.
About the West Philly Hybrid X Team
The West Philly Hybrid X Team is headquartered at West Philadelphia High School’s Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering. For the last 10 years, teams of teachers and students have built and competed with alternative fuel vehicles. The current team recently earned a semifinalist position in the $10 million Automotive XPrize competition in June 2010.
About International Battery
Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., International Battery (www.internationalbattery) is a U.S. manufacturer, designer, and developer of large-format prismatic lithium-ion rechargeable cells and batteries for use in a wide range of transportation, industrial, electric utility, smart grid and military applications, employing a uniquely environmentally friendly manufacturing process.
In addition to historical information, this release may contain forward-looking statements. International Battery may, from time-to-time, make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements encompass International Battery’s beliefs, expectations, hopes or intentions regarding future events. Words such as "expects," "intends," "believes," "anticipates," "should," "likely" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements included in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to International Battery as of such date. International Battery assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Actual results may vary, and may vary materially, from those anticipated, estimated, projected or expected for a number of reasons.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6773945&lang=en