Azure Dynamics is one of the recipients in the $175 million Dept of Energy grant program announced yesterday (see Dept of Energy awards $175 million for advanced vehicle research). Today they issued a press release describing the project as developing a "fourth generation" power inverter for use in their patented electric drive train technology.
The new power inverter (used in controlling AC electric motors) is expected to have a 60% cost, weight and production volume advantages over existing technology.
"We are extremely pleased to have been selected by the DOE to receive this award, which is indicative of our innovative electrification expertise and know-how," said Scott Harrison, Azure's CEO. "By dramatically improving the cost, weight and volume characteristics, our new traction system is expected to be rapidly adopted throughout our commercial vehicle base and keep Azure technology at the cutting edge of electrified transportation."
The company says they are a world leader in developing drive train components for hybrid and electric vehicles. They currently focus on systems for medium duty trucks, and have a long-standing partnership relationship with Ford Motors. In the past they developed the electric Ford Transit Connect, and today are working with Ford on a plug-in Hybrid F-250.
Their third generation system is being developed for the 2013 launch of the F-Series hybrid trucks, and the fourth generation drive train to be developed under this grant is expected to be commercially available in early 2016.
See:
Azure Dynamics Wins DOE Award To Develop Next Generation Traction Inverter
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