UQM Technologies, Inc has been working in conjunction with Armor Holdings, Inc. to begin the Military Utility Assessment (MUA) testing of two hybrid electric future heavy trucks demonstrators at Ft. Lewis, Washington. During the test, the two hybrid electric future heavy trucks will go on rigorous services concerning military operations and assignments. The two hybrid electric vehicle demonstrators have already successfully completed a 3,000-mile test run that took place at U.S. Army's Aberdeen and Michigan Proving Grounds.
UQM Technologies, Inc. develops and manufactures high efficiency electric motors and alternative energy technologies and the company has provided the hybrid electric propulsion systems to the vehicles, which was developed by Armor Holdings, Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of military vehicles and other military products.
Chris Chambers, Vice President of Programs and Business Development of Armor Holdings’ Tactical Vehicle Systems Division commented, “The MSV design and development exercise has overcome many of the hybrid technology challenges this class of vehicle presents. Our work with UQM puts us at the forefront of this area and we are particularly pleased to have had the opportunity to assist the Army as they scope their potential future tactical vehicle requirements.”
“We are pleased to be a member of the Armor Holding’s team and have their vehicles move to this important next step of testing as part of the US Army’s Future Tactical Truck System program. The 120 kW UQM® electric propulsion systems powering these hybrid vehicles incorporate our latest technology advancements which further improve their performance, power density and efficiency, as well as their reliability, durability and cost." said William G. Rankin, President and Chief Executive Officer of UQM Technologies, Inc.
The hybrid electric future heavy trucks demonstrator is equipped with a 118 hp (120 kW) UQM hybrid electric propulsion systems. As an all-terrain vehicle like those Jeep models with Jeep ignition control system, the two vehicles will undergo a series of tests as a part of Armor Holding’s contract with the US Army' Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS) to develop a next generation tactical wheeled vehicle called the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV). At the midst of the development, the U.S. Army will evaluate the needs and performance required for a future tactical vehicle by conducting these test programs.
Just a couple of days ago, two of the newest alternative fuel stations have just been opened for public use. And it was the Governor’s E85 Coalition as well as the Denver Metro area officials who were very much enthusiastic about the whole affair. The event was held at the Hill Petroleum Sinclair Oil Station which can be found in the Arvada region in the state of Colorado.
According to the organizers and business people behind the mentioned fueling station, the Hill Petroleum Sinclair Oil Station would be selling E85. If you did not know, E85 is actually a blended mixture of some eighty five per cent of ethanol and the rest of the fifteen per cent is made up of unleaded gasoline as well as biodiesel. But the organizers did not disclose what kind of products (other engine additives, spare parts, Cadillac auto parts, accessories, or other add-ons) would be available in the mentioned filling station.
Colorado’s Governor, Bill Owens, exclaims, “Coloradans are getting more choices at the pump, and many citizens are purchasing vehicles that can use E85. These cleaner burning fuels stimulate economic development for our rural communities and help promote energy independence.”
It took the business owner some $100,000 to actually make the existing ordinary fuel station into one that also offers E85 as well as biodiesel. Troy Hill, the vice president of Hill Petroleum, further explains, “We are eligible for state and federal tax credits and the E85 Coalition also provided support. Our family business, open since 1982, is excited to offer alternative fuels at the retail pump for the first time. We are now able to meet the market demand for these fuels.”
If more and more gas station owners are willing to make such an investment in E85 and biodiesel, owners and users of flexible fuel vehicles, or FFVs, would surely have a grand time using their vehicles. There would also be no need to go poring over announcements and business addresses just to find that one gas station that offers such inexpensive fuels.
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