FEV, Inc. Announces 40kW Auxiliary Power Unit Coupled with 3-Cylinder Gasoline Engine to Extend EV Range

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV, Inc., (FEV) a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that it has coupled an FEV-developed Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) with a 3-cylinder engine for use in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. The coupling of the unit with the engine extends the range of a standard Hybrid Electric Vehicle from 20 – 40 miles to 200 – 350 when needed. The announcement was made in conjunction with the 2010 SAE Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium, opening tomorrow in San Diego, Calif. FEV will also be exhibiting at the conference. The announcement was made by Gary Rogers, FEV, Inc. president and CEO.

This marks a significant advancement in the evolution of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle and could accelerate development of Range Extended Hybrid Electric Vehicles (ReHEV) by mainstream automakers.

The APU is an interchangeable range extender module designed to reside in combination with an electric vehicle's (EV) architecture, extending the vehicle's range. As consumers are learning the benefits of EVs, one predominant concern is "range anxiety." APUs implemented into the propulsion system provide the capability to extend the range from 20-40 miles (AER) to a total of 200-350 miles when needed. FEV has developed a range of APUs for a variety of vehicle applications depending on the customer's power requirements. The APU is designed as a flexible compact unit using proven technology, combined to bring 40kW of power to EV architecture.

"FEV developed this concept to offer a viable solution to the limitations of current Hybrid Vehicle technology," said Rogers. "Application of this technology in a production vehicle will change the way consumers view Hybrid Electric vehicles."

About FEV

The FEV Group is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry.  FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards.  The FEV Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment.  The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,800 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents.  FEV, Inc. employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center in Auburn Hills, MI.

SOURCE FEV, Inc.