| Posted: December 10, 2008 |
Nanotechnology battery powered cars come to Hawaii |
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(Nanowerk News) The State of Hawaii has announced a plan to bring all-electric vehicles and an electric vehicle infrastructure to the Hawaiian island of Maui through a partnership with Phoenix Motorcars by 2009.
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The announcement is part of the recently announced partnership between Hawaii and Better Place to offer a national blueprint for clean energy in transportation.
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Ontario, Calif.-based Phoenix Motorcars will provide 20 to 30 of the vehicles to Maui Electric, which is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Electric Co. Inc., by March in order to test battery technologies that use a nanotechnology battery system from Altair Nanotechnologies using titanate nanoparticles. It will be the first such test in the nation for Phoenix vehicles.
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| The Phoenix all-electric pick-up truck
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| "This public-private partnership to bring electric vehicles to our state marks another significant development in the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, as we seek to reduce Hawai'i's dependence on imported oil," Governor Lingle said. "It is also an important part of our Administration's five-point economic action plan, which includes attracting innovative private investments, especially in renewable energy technology. We appreciate the confidence Phoenix Motorcars has in the Hawai'i marketplace and the recognition of our ongoing collaborative efforts to capitalize on Hawai'i's abundant natural renewable energy resources."
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Phoenix Motorcars has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maui Electric for a test program using Phoenix Motorcars' electric pick-up trucks in the utility fleet.
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"We're very interested in testing electric vehicles from manufacturers like Phoenix Motorcars to use electricity generated by renewable resources during off-peak hours, and to determine whether electric vehicles can efficiently store that power and return it to the grid when there's high demand," said Ed Reinhardt, president of Maui Electric.
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"This public-private partnership to bring electric vehicles to our state marks another significant development in the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, as we seek to reduce Hawai'i's dependence on imported oil," Governor Lingle said. "It is also an important part of our Administration's five-point economic action plan, which includes attracting innovative private investments, especially in renewable energy technology. We appreciate the confidence Phoenix Motorcars has in Hawai'i and the recognition of our ongoing collaborative efforts to capitalize on Hawai'i's abundant natural renewable energy resources."
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Phoenix Motorcars, an American manufacturer of zero emission, electric vehicles, is collaborating with the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), the County of Maui, Maui Electric Co., AES Solar, and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Lab to launch electric vehicle, charging and energy storage test programs. Phoenix Motorcars is also collaborating with the Korean Trade Investment Promotion Agency to identify additional technology partners for these Hawai'i-based programs. Phoenix Motorcars' first electric vehicle program is scheduled to launch on Maui during the first quarter of 2009. The company's mission is to deploy electric vehicle and electric vehicle infrastructure solutions for the fleet vehicle market.
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"We strongly endorse the mission of the State of Hawai'i, Maui Electric and the County of Maui to reduce Hawai'i's dependence on imported oil," said Dan Elliott, CEO of Phoenix Motorcars. "We are deeply honored to play a role in Hawai'i's Clean Energy Initiative."
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"This is exciting progress in Maui County's commitment to developing the use of energy efficient technologies," said Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares. I'm pleased to work with a progressive and innovative company such as Phoenix Motorcars. Their work to help the environment is impressive. Phoenix Motorcars' intent to launch on Maui supports our county's focus to combine renewable energy with economic opportunities to create positive economic and educational benefits for our local community."
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"Hawai'i is taking a clear leadership position on making electric vehicles a viable option for drivers in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "As we leverage Hawai'i's unique access to sources of renewable energy, we will create a sustainable and cost efficient model for the deployment of electric and other alternative fuel vehicles."
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Phoenix Motorcars' arrival in Hawai'i furthers the progress of the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, a partnership formed in January between the State of Hawai'i and the U.S. Department of Energy which seeks to meet the state's energy needs from 70 percent clean energy by 2030. For more information on the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, visit the Governor's web site at: www.hawaii.gov/gov/energy.
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