B.A.T. International acquires U.S. rights for innovative AC drive system
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 1996
Friday, B.A.T. International (OTC:BAAT) announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement for the United States for a new AC drive system.
For the past six years, B.A.T. International has specialized in manufacturing electric vehicles with DC drive systems. B.A.T. International has set many benchmarks for electric vehicle (EV) performance utilizing DC drives.
B.A.T. has refrained from moving to AC drives because of the very high price and heavy weight of the control system. B.A.T. has also been waiting for an AC drive system controller with the programmable capability to control all of the functions that will be required by future electric automobiles.
The new AC system is less than half the cost of other AC drive systems, and substantially better in performance as a result of the following features:
" very light weight (weighs a mere 10 kilograms for a 50 Kw unit)
" fully programmable
" fully integratable (set up to 110 parameters: windshield wipers to ID codes)
" easy maintenance (detailed self-diagnostic features)
" many safety features (no start, if plugged in, foot on gas, shut off in accident, etc.)
The new AC system has other unique features, including a turbo boost which can change the wave form of the electrical pulse to give the vehicle operator an instant 20 percent power boost (similar to an afterburner on a jet engine). However, this feature does reduce efficiency during operation.
The new AC drive system is the key building block component in the design of a set of hybrid electric vehicles that will be delivered to the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project under a current Department of Defense DARPA program grant.
In early 1997, B.A.T. will be establishing its wholesale component division, which will market and distribute the AC drive system to other EV-manufacturing companies. This will include the charger and other items, such as the DC converters.
It is also anticipated that B.A.T.'s new electric vehicle component division will eventually include battery products such as its zinc-air battery, which is scheduled to be manufactured at the end of 1997 by B.A.T.'s Zinc-Air Transportation subsidiary.
B.A.T. plans to install the new AC drives in its 1997 model-year electric vehicles. These drive systems are expected to lead to dramatic improvements in performance, maintenance capabilities, special features and safety interlocks. The first vehicles with the new AC drive system will be available in about 3 months.
CONTACT: B.A.T. International
Bill Wason, 818/565-5555
818/565-5559 (fax)
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