Saab, Electroengine and Boston-Power in Swedish Coalition to Develop EVs
16 December 2009
A Swedish industry-first electric automobile coalition has been established to fuel the advancement of zero-emission, high performance vehicles.
| The ZE Saab 9-3. Click to enlarge. |
Funded by SEK 86 million (approximately US$12 million) from a Swedish Energy Agency grant announced on 10 December, the coalition includes companies from the automotive manufacturing, battery and electric power train sectors. Participating organizations are:
- Saab Automobile AB (automotive engineering and manufacturing)
- Boston-Power, Inc. (lithium-ion batteries)
- Electroengine in Sweden AB (electric power trains)
- Innovatum (project management)
- Power Circle (Sweden’s electric power industry trade organization)
The Saab and Electroengine have already built initial demonstration models of the vehicle—named the ZE Saab 9-3 (ZE for zero emissions). The group plans to build more than 100 additional cars in 2010.
12 million USD is a nice South Bay house.
Posted by: kelly | 16 December 2009 at 04:36 PM
Does this mean that Saab is definitely going to be sticking around for long enough to see this through? This article makes no mention of the fact that Saab may cease to exist before the year is out.
Posted by: Peter9909 | 16 December 2009 at 04:44 PM
SAAB may very well become Cbinese within 6 months but the technologies may survive.
More EVs the better.
Posted by: HarveyD | 16 December 2009 at 07:22 PM
Tokyo University of Science has produced a 50Kw SR motor with the same performances, size and weight as the permanent magnet motor used for the Toyota Prius III.
An interesting potentially lower cost solution for future PHEVs and BEVS.
Posted by: HarveyD | 17 December 2009 at 10:35 AM
Raser, AC propulsion and thus Tesla all have inductive motors. Tesla is said to be the size of a "watermelon" and produces enough horsepower to propel their sports car nicely. Three phase induction motors have been proven over a long time and are getting better with each generation.
Posted by: SJC | 17 December 2009 at 03:32 PM
Switched reluctance motors can be made lighter and cheaper and more efficient than induction motors or permanent magnet motors. Highpower electric motors and the required electronics are very expensive in low volumes. TATA needs to get into the business with an automobile and motor engineered for cost rather than acceleration. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 17 December 2009 at 06:33 PM