Motiv Power Systems Secures $1.16 Million California Energy Commission Grant, Demos New Battery-Electric Truck at Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Motiv Power Systems, an innovator in electric vehicle (EV) powertrains for commercial trucks announced today the California Energy Commission (CEC) granted the company $1.16 million for an assembly line pilot run of four electric truck chassis in partnership with Detroit Chassis.  The grant will further validate Motiv's Electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS), which provides a 100-mile range and whose total cost of ownership is  approximately 50% less than a diesel powertrain over an 8 year period.  The company's new demonstration shuttle bus will be available for test drives at the Green Truck Ride-and-Drive event at the Work Truck Show and Green Truck Summit, March 6-9 in Indianapolis, IN (booth #5666).

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"A 'mix and match' design is the future of the electric truck and we are thrilled to show the commercial trucking industry how ours works," said Jim Castelaz, Founder and CEO of Motiv Power Systems.  "Our ePCS design accommodates a wide variety of off-the-shelf batteries and components, allowing EV designers and truck chassis builders the flexibility to combine various components to meet a range of specifications without designing a new powertrain from scratch."

Rather than offer a single electric truck model with limited component selection, Motiv's ePCS works with a wide range of batteries and motors.  This flexibility allows fleets to choose their battery vendors as well as vehicle range and power. Through its intelligent software control algorithms, Motiv's ePCS actively manages power flow between all electrical components in the vehicle.  It also captures and wirelessly broadcasts data to the Motiv "cloud" for monitoring and analysis.  Factors such as battery charge, vehicle status and health provide detailed real-time analytics to support fleet operators in preventive service maintenance.

"Vehicle fleet owners view electric vehicles as a way to reduce both their carbon emissions and their operating cost," said John Formisano, Motiv Advisory Board Member and Chairman of CALSTART, a member supported organization dedicated to supporting a growing high-tech, clean transportation industry.  "High capital costs are often cited as the barrier to EV adoption. But Motiv's technology enables component flexibility and holds the potential to reduce the costs of EVs and allow electric trucks to become more mainstream."

ABOUT MOTIV POWER SYSTEMS

Founded in 2009, Motiv Power Systems designs and builds a flexible electric Powertrain Control System (ePCS) for the commercial electric truck.  Motiv's ePCS works with a wide variety of batteries and motors.  This flexibility allows traditional truck chassis builders to assemble custom electric chassis on their current diesel truck assembly lines. Electric trucks equipped with Motiv's ePCS can offer over 100 miles range and a total cost of ownership 50% less than a diesel truck over an 8 year period.  Motiv's ePCS is available for commercial trucks, shuttle buses and delivery vehicles.

Media Inquiries:
Technica Communications for Motiv Power Systems
Lisa Ann Pinkerton
650-288-1824
[email protected]

SOURCE Motiv Power Systems