NEAH and India's EKO Vehicles to Explore Merger and Acquisition Opportunities to Facilitate Global Growth

NEAH Power Systems, the company leading development in fuel cells for the military and portable electronic devices, announced today it has signed a letter of intent to explore acquisition or merger plans with EKO Vehicles of Bangalore, Private Limited, India's leading technology producer of two-wheeled electric vehicles. This combined venture is expected to provide additional opportunities for the
expansion of product lines and global growth. Both companies are undertaking due diligence efforts in order to determine the viability and the structure of the combination.

NEAH had previously announced a customer relationship with EKO to build fuel cells for EKO's electric scooter product line. The third generation of EKO product is currently being sold in Asia and will shortly be available in the United States and Europe. "We intend to take the synergistic relationship between Neah and EKO to new levels. In addition to the fuel cells for electric two wheelers, we see high demand for Neah's fuel cells for a variety of military and industrial applications in India and Asia, and this relationship could enable us to meet this demand. Our micro fuel cells may eventually replace batteries for most uses," said Dr. Chris D'Couto, President and CEO of Neah Power.

"We welcome NEAH's technology and we share the common goal of reducing the levels of air and noise pollution, provide cost effective power solutions for two wheeler and four wheeler applications, and enable global growth for our products," said Mr. Anil Ananthakrishna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EKOVEHICLES Pvt. Ltd.

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U.S. Anticipates Major Drops in Costs of Solar Power, Electric Vehicles by 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy says that Recovery Act funding programs are on track to help cut the cost of solar electricity in half by 2015, and the cost of batteries for electric vehicles by 70 percent in the same time.

Energy generation from renewable sources is expected to double by 2015, along with manufacturing capacity for U.S. renewable energy industries, the government said.

The announcement Tuesday, led by Vice President Joseph Biden and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, along with numerous private industry representatives, has the unintended effect of suggesting that solar and plug-in vehicles are too expensive now.

In fact, non-subsidized solar is already cost-competitive with peak retail electricity prices in some places, and with incentives may offer significant bargains to attentive consumers. The same will be true as plug-in vehicles are rolled out in 2011. What the report means is that if such cost reductions are achieved, solar and plug-in vehicles will not only be the cleanest but among the cheapest ways to obtain electricity and to travel just five years from now.

The report is called "The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy Through Innovation."  It mentions that with more than $787 billion in funding, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is one of the largest investments in the U.S. economy in the nation’s history. More than $100 billion has been invested in programs aimed at innovations in technology and science, including alternative energy and transportation research and development.

The jury is still out, of course, on whether the goals will be achieved. But officials in the solar and electric vehicle industries are at least as confident as the government officials.

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Electric Vehicles for US TARDEC

With the rapid expansion of the electric vehicles engulfing most of today's world, it was only a matter of time until the military began contemplating the idea of operating environmentally friendly vehicles while going out to conquer the world.

Although this is not the first time the EV world merge with the military one (remember the hybrid tanks to be tested in the Army's new Ground Systems Power and Energy Laboratory), it is the first time a pure electric vehicle will begin testing in the service.

The vehicle is being manufactured by Canadian company Rapid Electric Vehicles (REV, a Honeywell Aerospace subcontractor) and is meant as an Ancillary Power Vehicles (APV). It is powered by a 125 kW permanent magnet AC motor paired with a gearbox drive system that delivers 300 Nm of torque. The REVs will be using Ford Escape and Ford F150 platforms.




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Charging Guides for Electric Cars to Be Issued

China will issue three standards in October to regulate charging facilities for electric cars, the Shanghai Securities News reported Monday, citing an unnamed source from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

China will issue three standards in October to regulate charging facilities for electric cars, the Shanghai Securities News reported Monday, citing an unnamed source from the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Related readings: China's 1st electric car sold to individual Electric car purchase to be subsidized in 5 cities Shanghai to build 400 E-car charging stations Electric car recharging station opens in E ChinaFive more standards are being drafted and will be released before the year's end, the newspaper said. 

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Toyota Prius available with Approaching Vehicle Audible System in Japan

In the face of concerns that new hybrid and electric vehicles are dangerously silent, Toyota Japan has added a noisy new option to its third-generation Prius range.

The Approaching Vehicle Audible System (AVAS) is an optional speaker setup in the front of the car that makes a humming sound equivalent to the volume of a standard petrol-powered vehicle.

Despite not yet being required by law in Japan, sales of AVAS will begin on August 30 for 12,600 yen ($170, excluding installation) for those who want their Prius to be heard.

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Ford, PGE team up on electric vehicles

Ford Motor Co. and Portland General Electric Co. are teaming up to share information about vehicle charging needs, as both companies prepare for higher numbers of electric cars in the coming years.

Ford said Tuesday it plans to bring five new electric vehicles to market over the next two years, including an electric version of the Transit Connect commercial van.

"To support the roll out and acceptance of these vehicles it is important to work with local utilities to make sure the necessary infrastructure and grid capability are ready," said Mike Tinskey, Ford manager of vehicle electrification and infrastructure, in a statement.

Ford and Portland General will share information about charging needs, with the goal of making sure the electrical grid can support the higher demand resulting from more electric cars on the road.

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