Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Gas 2.0

Gas 2.0

FIM Creates Series For Electric Motorcycles In 2010

Posted: 24 Jun 2009 01:21 PM PDT

There has been a recent influx of electric-powered motorcycles, with brands the world over throwing their hat into the ring. The sucess of electric TTXGP earlier this month has drawn even more attention to electric motorbikes, and the FIM (Federation Internationale de Motorcyclisme) has announced that a new series exclusively for electric motorbikes will begin in the 2010 season.

The series is being spearheaded by Azhar Hussein, a British entrepreneur who wants to provide low emission bikes with a racing series that will promote clean, fun, and fast technology.

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Cruise the City in the Maya 300 but Don’t Leave Town

Posted: 24 Jun 2009 12:27 PM PDT

“To my knowledge, at this point, ExxonMobil has no interest in putting charging stations at retailer locations,” said Pat Brant, Chief Polymer Scientist with ExxonMobil Chemical Company. I just had to ascertain if ExxonMobil was really in the car business after they announced their partnership in launching the Maya 300 and it appears that the answer is no. However, ExxonMobil Chemical Company, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil that was built from scratch 18 years ago, is is in the business of developing technologies to improve technologies with battery applications.

So here is how the partnership works. ExxonMobil Chemical Company developed the pioneering lithium ion battery separation technology. They then partnered with Electrovaya, to integrate the technology into their batteries and then manufacture the batteries. The batteries are then given to Electrovaya subsidiary Maya, who then manufactures the Maya 300. So there, ExxonMobil is not in the car business.

Speaking of the car business, one of the burning questions is how is the Maya 300 different than other electric vehicles. There are three main reasons.

  1. The Maya 300 is powered by a Lithium-Ion SuperPolymer® battery (made by Electrovaya). The lithium-ion polymer technology platform enables lithium to be moved faster and more efficiently, allowing more energy to be stored in a smaller space. Most other hybrid and electric vehicles are using nickel-metal-hybrid batteries that take up more space and are heavier.
  2. Smaller battery. Smaller space. A conventional lead acid battery pack on average takes over five times the space and weight of the Electrovaya battery pack.
  3. Style. The Maya 300 looks like a traditional four-door car with a hatchback. On the road, aesthetically speaking, you’d be hard pressed to tell it was an electric vehicle.

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