Quantum to Develop Diesel Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle for US Army
21 May 2007
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| The first-generation Aggressor fuel-cell hybrid. |
The US Army has awarded Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (NASDAQ:QTWW) a $4.88-million contract to develop a diesel hybrid electric version of its Alternative Mobility Vehicle (AMV) “Aggressor.”
This program is a follow-on to Quantum's Aggressor vehicle, a high-performance light-duty off-road fuel-cell hybrid vehicle developed for the US Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC), National Automotive Center (NAC). (Earlier post.)
The objective of this program is to develop a second-generation high-performance light-duty off-road hybrid electric vehicle platform based on the results of and feedback from the US Army’s testing and evaluation of the original Aggressor.
The propulsion system for this next phase of AMV development will focus on a JP-8 fuel-compatible diesel internal combustion engine-based, battery-dominant, series-hybrid electric system, which would provide a cost-effective, near-term solution. Pre-production prototypes will be developed and built for testing and evaluation by selected commands to assess mission suitability, supportability, performance objectives, and guidance on final vehicle configuration.
The contract will be through and administered by Alion Science and Technology Corporation, based in Alexandria, VA. Alion will provide project management oversight in support of this effort for the US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.
Coooooool! I want one! Although I probably could never afford this, there are probably some rich civilians out there that could, and make their own Hydrogen to boot.
Posted by: Schmeltz | 21 May 2007 at 07:09 AM
Schmeltz: hydrogen? who mentioned hydrogen?
Posted by: JN2 | 21 May 2007 at 07:49 AM
"follow-on to Quantum's Aggressor vehicle...fuel cell hybrid"
Sorry. I mis-read the above. I thought this vehicle was a fuel cell, when actually it's a diesel electric hybrid. Thanks--but actually that's better news for civilians as diesel is little easier to come by.
Posted by: Schmeltz | 21 May 2007 at 07:57 AM
Right Answer, Wrong Answer. It's the right answer because series hybrid diesel is where SUV's need to get to as soon as possible, in an SUV format think about 40-50mpg with an element of pluggable. Its the wrong answer because Quantum is not an auto manufacturer therefore there will be no follow through to SUV's.
I just wish this country would think strategically aboout its CO2 production and dependence on foreign oil.
Give the contract to GM, tell them that straight after building this (cool) military toy, government agencies will be required to buy their SUV's with radically improved fuel economy. That way the military gets its cool toy, that id*** Lutz will have a clearly laid out direction for the future of GM, CAFE can be implemented, oil imports reduced, CO2 production reduced, and all it took was a little bit of thinking.
Posted by: Kevin | 21 May 2007 at 08:33 AM
I'm glad to see that the move toward series hybrids are on. They're the next step and simpler engineering-wise than the parallel hybrid technology like that in the Civic and Prius.
Mike
Posted by: Mike@HCVN | 21 May 2007 at 11:39 AM
There are developments in DME in China:
We see great potential for DME as a clean alternative fuel . The present diesel oil is a major source of air pollution from diesel engine of trucks and busses in large city like Tokyo. The potential market of diesel oil substitute is larger than LPG. DME is one of ideal fuel for diesel engine. DME vehicles were demonstratively manufactured in Japan, China and Korea and their driving test already started. Practical durability fleet test of a DME truck is under going in Japan.
We are pleased to organise a conference on China taking the lead in the DME market in production from coal and Japan and Korea activities.
If you would like to know more on COAL to Syngas to DME developments, join us at upcoming North Asia DME / Methanol conference in Beijing, 27-28 June 2007, St Regis Hotel. The conference covers key areas which include:
DME productivity can be much higher especially if
country energy policies makes an effort comparable to
that invested in increasing supply.
By:
National Development Reform Commission NDRC
Ministry of Energy for Mongolia
Production of DME/ Methanol through biomass
gasification could potentially be commercialized
By:
Shandong University completed Pilot plant in Jinan and
will be sharing their experience.
Advances in conversion technologies are readily
available and offer exciting potential of DME as a
chemical feedstock
By: Kogas, Lurgi and Haldor Topsoe
Available project finance supports the investments
that DME/ Methanol can play a large energy supply role
By: International Finance Corporation
For more information: www.iceorganiser.com
Posted by: Cheryl Ho | 23 May 2007 at 12:04 AM