Tour de Sol tour de force as Lithium-powered eGO XR sets range record. (May/June 2003)

- Electrovaya's Lithium SuperPolymer Maya-100 EV puts in a welcome appearance too...

Modular Energy Press Release:

- Modular Energy Devices' Lithium-Ion Battery Enables Electric Scooter to Set New Range Record at the 2003 NESEA Tour De Sol Competition.

A Lithium-ion battery pack developed by Modular Energy Devices enabled an electric scooter to set a new range record at the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) Tour De Sol Competition, May 12-14, 2003. Started in 1989, the Tour de Sol has grown to be the largest sustainable transportation event in the world.

Using advanced Lithium-ion battery modules developed by Modular Energy Devices and an Electric Scooter manufactured by eGO Vehicles; the Modular Energy Devices team achieved a range of 55 miles on a single charge, which was the longest range in competition history for a two-wheel electric vehicle. In another historical achievement, the team was the first to successfully implement a fully functional Lithium-ion battery to propel an electric vehicle in the history of the Tour De Sol.

The Modular Energy Devices battery holds over four times the energy of a lead-acid battery and can be charged and discharged at least twice as many times. Modular Energy Devices has developed a unique battery architecture that dramatically reduces the cost and improves the safety of large Lithium-ion batteries.

Both companies have received start-up funding from the Rhode Island Slater Center for Manufacturing Technology. Ego Vehicles is located in Providence, RI and Modular Energy Devices is located in Westerly, Rhode Island.

For further information on Modular Energy Devices batteries contact:

E-mail: info@modenergy.com

Phone: 401-315-0338

eGO UK(Surrey): 01483 272222 egouk@egovehicles.com

...but there's more...

- EVUK contacted Modular Energy's Stephen Eaves following this record-breaking performance to ask - among other things - how his fellow Tour de Sol participants now felt about the future of advanced battery vehicles following CARB's recent (and predictable) anti-BEV/pro-fuel cave-in & manoeuvrings(see EVUK report: "Two new studies reaffirm: advanced battery vehicles - not fuel cells - are the logical / best way forward."

Here's Stephen Eaves' response:

"Hi EVUK,

I can only quote on my impressions, since I did not specifically interview anyone personally on their feelings regarding the future of Li-ion and battery electric vehicles.

However, I did get a chance to say during an interview with the History Channel that we could replace the fuel-cell system in the GM Hywire with our batteries and greatly increase the range of the vehicle. (A GM representative said that the Hywire's range was only 80 miles, and you can be sure that that is an optimistic number). I doubt that my statement will air, however.(So do we !! - EVUK Ed.)

I was completely blown away when NESEA told us that we were the first company to successfully demonstrate Lithium-ion propulsion. I guess the earlier attempts either failed or were only small packs powering accessories. In general, many in the general crowd at the Tour were not aware of the significance of Li-ion. When the scooter finished the second lap of the range test (10 miles total), the timekeepers asked if we were finished. They kept asking every lap until we finished the 55 miles!!

Perhaps it was just me, but I felt that I could sense a loss in the grass roots energy that was there a few years ago. Three different people told me that many have been waiting a long time for Lithium-ion to come. But sadly, although we are proud of our little scooter, it is literally too little too late to turn the tide in California. (ah - but not in Canada...and elsewhere..see Electrovaya below. EVUK Ed.)

I believe, however, that when long-range EVs do begin to appear they will make it on their own despite the opinion of the government or automakers.

As for many we have talked to who are lovers of electric scooters, they say they are really happy with the eGO Li-ion scooter as it is!
We have received many inquiries since the Tour from the EV community. With a little luck, we, or someone carrying our batteries, will come back next year with a serious automobile. - Steve Eaves. "

(Amen to that: to help make this happen, serious EV- enterprises, entrepreneurs and eco-minded venture capitalists are invited to please contact: steve.eaves@modenergy.com or EVUK editor@EVUK.co.uk )

Click here for more photos of the eGO XR at the Trenton New Jersey Tour de Sol event. And click here for more background details(incl. team profile) of the eGo XR Tour de Sol appearance.

The Electrovaya Maya-100(pictured above) was the other lithium (Superpolymer) star of the Tour and according to company press releases is due for production in 2005. It is visually and happily reminiscent of Toyota's much-loved, but now notoriously discontinued, RAV4 EV - but range, weight and performance promise to be even more impressive. Here's Electrovaya's official post-event press release:

News from Canada NewsWire

Electrovaya Inc. Zero Emission Vehicle Undergoes Initial Series of Road Tests at the Tour de Sol 07:00 EDT Friday, May 16, 2003

TORONTO, May 16 /CNW/ - As previously announced, Electrovaya Inc. (TSX: EFL) took part in the Tour De Sol car rally and further tested its prototype Zero Emission Vehicle, Maya 100. The test results were encouraging, with excellent performance from the dc motor, drive train and onboard dc power source including Electrovaya's patented lithium ion Superpolymer(R) battery. The acceleration of the Maya 100 was good and tested successfully the novel concept (patent pending) of an integrated systems approach to thermal management, acceleration, hill climbing and top speed. The weight of the vehicle was well balanced and the vehicle passed tests on acceleration, hill climbing, speed, slalom, braking distance and other mechanical and performance tests. The vehicle later developed a major electrical malfunction, and was pulled out of the Tour de Sol. Some additional modifications on the vehicle are being carried out and further road tests will resume shortly.

Tour de Sol 2003 - more essential links:

1) Full 'must-see' photo-archive of Tour de Sol 2003 vehicles. Don't miss the gull-winged Viking, the super-sleek Patriot, the Solectria-enhanced Electro, the lithium-powered SEVRX, and the valiant REVolutionride(plus the North Haven schoolkids' highly entertaining Road Movie-style Tour report).

2) Full background details of Tour de Sol 2003 vehicles and participants.

3) Nesea Tour de Sol 2003 results mainpage.

4) Lithium Hotlinks(EVUK). Many companies and organisations including the prestigious US

Sandia National Laboratories are pioneering lithium battery technologies that they claim will extend vehicle range to 250 miles per charge and beyond - as well as dramatically reduce recharge-time.