Ford Set To Go Live With Electric Vehicles In Hillingdon

Dear Friends of Azure,

Our colleagues at Ford Europe have recently published the below release concerning aTransit Connect Electric development program. We thought you might be interested.

Sincerely,
AZD


Brentwood, Essex, July 8, 2010- Ford's global electric vehicles plan is benefitting from participation in the UK Government's "Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator" programme.

Ford's European electrification programme announced in March sees the introduction of two zero-emission full battery-electric vehicles, including the Transit Connect Electric light commercial vehicle in 2011, followed by the next generation Ford Focus Electric in 2012. A hybrid and a plug-in hybrid derivative of the all-new C-MAX, plus another hybrid-electric model will follow by 2013.

As a result, Ford will deploy a versatile people carrier version of the Transit Connect Electric for the UK demonstration programme, which is supported by Scottish and Southern Energy. This will see a fleet of zero emissions vehicles used by both the energy company and a number of drivers based in Hillingdon, Middlesex.

A consortium of Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy and Strathclyde University is providing the Transit Connect Electric 5-passenger vehicles and a charging infrastructure in and around Hillingdon during 2010 and 2011.

Ford Motor Company has been collaborating with Azure Dynamics (AZD) to launch the production of the Transit Connect Electric by Q2 of 2011. To accommodate the 5-passenger vehicle demonstration in Q4 of 2010, Ford and Azure have been able to increase the pre-production fleet to 21 vehicles from the original plan of 15. The pre-production vehicles will utilize the production-intent Azure Force Drive(TM) powertrain including the battery system from Johnson Controls-Saft (JC-S).

This programme will test vehicle and infrastructure technology ahead of the Transit Connect Electric going on sale in 2011. Originally it had been planned to use specially-built Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) prototypes based on the current Ford Focus for the demonstration programme.

London residents will be among the first in Britain to experience Ford's zero emissions technology. Experienced drivers will be selected to take part in the programme and they will go through a rigorous familiarisation and training programme to ensure that useful data can be produced under safe, realistic operating conditions.

The Transit Connect Electric demonstration fleet is being developed partly with public funding from the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB), which promotes innovative industry-led projects that reduce CO2 while benefitting the country's transport system.

Joe Greenwell, Ford of Britain chairman, said: "There is increasing interest among our customers for electrified vehicles and we are responding by stepping up our efforts to bring these models to the marketplace alongside our latest-generation, fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powered models. Ford is looking forward to working with its project partners on developing this market for electric vehicles both in the UK and Europe."


The Transit Connect Electric
The Transit Connect Electric is a zero-emission, pure electric-powered version of the award-winning Transit Connect light commercial vehicle. It goes on sale in North America later this year and in Europe from 2011.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric features a state-of-the-art Li-Ion battery pack with a capacity of 28kWh and a chassis-mounted 55kW electric traction induction motor. It will have a range of up to 80 miles and a top speed of up to 75mph. Fully charging the batteries will take between 10 and 12 hours using a household 230 volt electricity supply.


Project managed in the UK
The demonstration programme is being led by the company's UK research and development centre at Dunton in Essex. Home to an engineering team of almost 3,000 vehicle specialists, Dunton Technical Centre is responsible for developing powertrains for all Ford vehicles in Europe, as well as every part of the company's commercial vehicle range.


Collaboration is key to Transit Connect Electric
Transit Connect Electric builds on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure Dynamics. Oak Park, Michigan based Azure Dynamics develops hybrid electric and electric drive technology for shuttle buses and commercial trucks, such as the Balance(TM) Hybrid Electric, which is built on the Ford E-450 cutaway and strip chassis for the medium-duty commercial vehicle segment.

Azure Dynamics' proprietary Force Drive(TM) powertrain will be integrated into Transit Connect gliders in a yet to be announced city in Europe. Force Drive(TM) components have previously been deployed in more than 40 vehicle integrations and have more than 25 million miles of on-the-road experience.


Transit Connect Electric Technical Data
Battery Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity - 28 kWh
Charging time - 10-12 hours (from a domestic 230 V socket)
Electric motor - AC induction motor
Max Power - 55kW
Max Torque - 340 Nm
Top speed - 75mph
Range - 80 miles


For more information on how Azure Dynamics products are Driving a World of Difference, please visit www.azuredynamics.com.


About Azure Dynamics
Azure Dynamics Corporation (TSX: AZD)(OTX: AZDDF) is a world leader in the development and production of hybrid electric and electric components and powertrain systems for commercial vehicles. Azure is strategically targeting the commercial delivery vehicle and shuttle bus markets and is currently working internationally with various partners and customers. The Company is committed to providing customers and partners with innovative, cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy management solutions. For more information please visit www.azuredynamics.com.

The TSX Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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