US firm develops Extreme Hybrid

dpa German Press Agency
Published: Tuesday October 3, 2006

Bellevue, Washington - The US company AFS Trinity has developed a hybrid system which it describes as a cost-alternative to conventional hybrids, listing a fuel consumption of only one litre per 100 kilometres for a five-door sedan. The "Extreme Hybrid" is fitted with a twin energy storage system combining a Lithium-ion battery pack with a bank of ultracapacitors.

Conventional hybrids require larger batteries combined with a combustion engine. The "hybrid within a hybrid" energy storage system exploits the strengths of li-ion batteries (light weight and high energy density) and ultracapacitors (small size and high power density), according to AFS Trinity.

Adding ultracapacitors with their high power density and high cycle life allows the "Extreme Hybrid" to achieve top speeds and rapid acceleration in electric-only mode equal to a conventional hybrid, according to the company.

The "Extreme Hybrid" requires a smaller internal combustion engine while preserving high vehicle performance and would no longer require the use of the combustion engine for smaller trips.

© 2006 dpa German Press Agency