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| March 21, 2007
AFL Automotive and Maxwell Technologies to Exhibit Efficient Cold Start Engine System at Mid-America Trucking Show
The System Lowers Cost of Ownership for Commercial Vehicle Owners
Through Fuel Savings, Lower Weight and Improved Packaging
DETROIT & SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AFL Automotive, an Alcoa business, and Maxwell Technologies announced
today that they are exhibiting a cold start system for the commercial
truck market at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky on
March 22nd and 23rd. The
cold start system utilizes Maxwell's BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitors with
AFL's power management system to develop an efficient engine starting
system.
"The cold start system can lower cost of ownership for fleet owners
through fuel savings, lower weight and improved packaging,”
said Allen Zwierzchowski, Senior Vice President Global Technology AFL
Automotive. “The cold start system can be used
as part of a no-idle system to start a diesel engine in cold climates
and to ensure reliable starting after the truck batteries are drained
overnight by hotel loads. The cold start system, which recharges quickly
from the main power system, can also be used with delivery vehicles that
have repetitive starts.”
Advantages of AFL-Maxwell Cold Start System
To meet the no-idle laws, many commercial vehicles use auxiliary power
units or a series of lead acid batteries to provide heating, cooling and
driver comfort. After powering these overnight “hotel
loads” many of the battery systems have
insufficient power to start the vehicle in the morning, especially at
cold ambient temperatures. The AFL-Maxwell cold start system can ensure
engine starts for commercial vehicles, thus eliminating the lost down
time of jump starts. A single jump start may result in $500 to $600 of
lost down of road service and down time expense for a truck owner.
The cold start system can also reduce or eliminate secondary energy
storage systems that are used to start diesel engines from 6 liters to
16 liters in displacement. This weight savings can be used to lower fuel
consumption or increase payload, resulting in greater operational
efficiency to truck owners.
Also, many delivery or transit vehicles have repetitive starts that can
drain the primary battery systems and result in stranded drivers and
payload. The AFL-Maxwell cold start system is especially designed for
fleet owners who have time sensitive cargo that cannot afford lost
downtime with a drained battery.
"AFL and Maxwell have built upon the collaboration initiated in 2006 to
develop cold start solutions for the commercial truck market,”
Zwierzchowski explained. To learn more about the cold start system,
visit the Alcoa booth at the Mid-America Trucking Show.
About AFL Automotive
AFL Automotive, an Alcoa business, is a world leader in the design,
development and production of high quality electrical and electronic
distribution systems for personal and commercial vehicles, working with
vehicle manufacturers and their sub-suppliers in the major automotive
centers in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
About Maxwell Technologies
Maxwell is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative,
cost-effective energy storage and power delivery solutions. Our
BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitor cells and multi-cell modules provide safe and
reliable power solutions for applications in consumer and industrial
electronics, transportation and telecommunications. Our CONDIS(R)
high-voltage grading and coupling capacitors help to ensure the safety
and reliability of electric utility infrastructure and other
applications involving transport, distribution and measurement of
high-voltage electrical energy. Our radiation-mitigated microelectronic
products include power modules, memory modules and single board
computers that incorporate powerful commercial silicon for superior
performance and high reliability in aerospace applications. For more
information, please visit our website: www.maxwell.com
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world's leading producer and manager of primary
aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in
all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering,
production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In
addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets
consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps,
Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses
are closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical
distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 123,000
employees in 44 countries and has been named one of the top most
sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in
Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com
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