Odyne to Provide Battery System Technology for Mexico City Fleet EV Conversions
28 June 2007
Odyne Corporation, a developer of advanced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain (PHEV) technology for trucks and buses, has signed a strategic supplier agreement to provide lead-acid battery management system technology for the conversion of Mexico City’s municipal Nissan Tsuru car fleet to electric drive.
Odyne will supply battery management trays, onboard charging systems and other necessary peripheral technology for the stored energy systems to be used in the conversion of the first 500 of the 2,000 Nissan Tsurus to electric drive within two years. The agreement potentially could be extended to include the entire car fleet. (Earlier post.)
Electro Autos Eficaces de Mexico, S.A. (EAE), a government-supported consortium overseeing the conversion, has also signed a supply agreement with Azure Dynamics for 1,000 drive systems for the conversions.
The converted Tsurus use a battery system comprising 15 12-volt AGM lead-acid batteries from Enersys, divided into a pack of 7 batteries under the hood and a pack of 8 in the trunk. The electric Tsuru has a range 75-105 km (47-65 miles) and a top speed of 100 kph (62 mph).
Odyne is contributing expertise in lead acid battery management systems, which we believe is a key factor in the reliability of the fleet conversion project. Without Odyne’s expertise, we would not be able to achieve acceptable cycle life of our lead acid batteries.
—Luis Pérez Quintana, EAE
With a population of approximately 25 million people, Mexico City is the third-largest city in the world and currently operates more than 25,000 Nissan Tsurus to conduct government business throughout the city.
This agreement with Electro Autos Eficaces de Mexico represents a new market expansion opportunity for Odyne that complements Odyne’s primary focus on providing plug-in hybrid electric and electric vehicle powertrains for Class 6,7 and 8 trucks and buses.
Although final pricing and specifications are still being developed, it is estimated that the total award to Odyne for the first 500 vehicles would be between $1.2 and $1.7 million, depending upon the options ordered.
Lead-Acid!?!!??? As an EV owner with experience in lead-acid, I think they're nuts to go that way. Low energy density, very heavy, short life. The only thing they have going for them is that they're relatively cheap.
Posted by: NeilPackrat | 28 June 2007 at 09:54 AM
I don't quite see the lead-acid trip either. But things are not always as they seem. It may make sense for the locale.
Feasibility is often fee$ibility in Mexican government decisions. And in too many other places. The US is hardly immune.
Posted by: K | 28 June 2007 at 04:23 PM
I agree that gel lead acid is a low tech-low performance choice. If the performance is not so bad that the government scraps the system altogether, it might make a good drop in replacement for firefly batteries later on in a replacement cycle.
Posted by: Bill Young | 28 June 2007 at 05:01 PM
That comes out to 3400$ a vehicle, seems cheap?
Posted by: | 28 June 2007 at 05:55 PM
That comes out to 3400$ a vehicle, seems cheap?
Posted by: Jetboat | 28 June 2007 at 05:56 PM
Odyne has extensive engineering expertise in battery management. If anyone can keep lead acid batteries going in Mexico, it’s Odyne.
Posted by: James Sime | 01 July 2007 at 07:31 PM
I'm very happy that Mexico is setting a good example. I predict that EVs will succeed in the capital.
Having met some of the principals at the national EAA Chapters Conference last January, I got the impression that Mexico City's air (really bad now) must be kept from getting worse. PbA is the most cost-efficient way to do it now.
Once the data on air amelioration start coming in, I expect Mexico City to convert the rest of its fleet. Perhaps they'll switch to Firefly batteries for replacements when replacement costs come up.
Posted by: EVangel | 06 July 2007 at 12:49 PM
flag color Mexican
Posted by: old Mexican flag | 08 May 2008 at 12:21 AM