Purchase to save utility 6,500 gallons of gas in 2009, reduce CO2 emissions

Chicago, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire/ — One of the nation’s largest private fleets of alternative-fuel vehicles just got greener. ComEd has added 50 new Toyota Prius hybrids and plug-in electric hybrids to a fleet that now numbers more than 2,100 green vehicles.

ComEd meter readers in Chicago and the company’s Maywood office will drive the 50 new Priuses, including 10 Priuses that have been specially converted into electric plug-in hybrids. The plug-in conversion is expected to significantly increase fuel-efficiency by providing greater electric-drive capability. (more…)

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire - December 9, 2008) - With the recent drop in the price of oil, new doubts have been cast over the future of hybrid and electric vehicles. Many manufacturers and designers of electric vehicles have faced technical and financial challenges in the past few months. Such challenges combined with large capital investments in research and development necessary for these cars, have prompted some analysts to predict a reversal of the trend towards green vehicles. (more…)

MOORESVILLE, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:HYBR) www.hybridtechnologies.com, emerging leaders in the development and marketing of lithium-powered products worldwide, was proud to be at the center of attention at the recent pre-Emmy Gifting Suite in Hollywood and held by GBK Productions.

Hybrid Technologies’ LiV^TM FLASH, an electric version of the BMW Mini Cooper, was the first electric vehicle to be held at the prestigious event produced by GBK Productions. (more…)

Monitors Battery Stacks in Hybrid/Electric Vehicles & Battery Backup Systems

MILPITAS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new, highly integrated battery stack monitor from Linear Technology Corporation (Nasdaq:LLTC) significantly eases the design of battery monitoring systems for hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles and a range of battery backup systems. The new product unveiled today, the LTC6802 Battery Stack Monitor, is a semiconductor chip, capable of measuring the voltage of up to 12 individual battery cells. In addition, multiple LTC6802 devices can be stacked in series, allowing precise voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series-connected batteries. The device serves as a data acquisition device for large battery stacks, and is particularly well suited for Li-Ion battery stacks. (more…)