Azure Dynamics Wins DOE Award To Develop Next Generation Traction Inverter
The Oak Park hybrid truck powertrain developer Azure Dynamics Corp. (OTC: AZDDF) said Thursday that it will receive $5.4 million over four years from the United States Department of Energy to develop a traction system to be used in future Azure products including the recently announced Ford F-Series Super Duty cab and chassis PHEV program.
Azure expects the new traction inverter will be commercial available in early 2016.
Said Scott Harrison, Azure CEO: "By dramatically improving the cost, weight and volume characteristics, our new traction system is expected to be rapidly adopted throughout our commercial vehicle base and keep Azure technology at the cutting edge of electrified transportation."
In addition to performance and economic advantages, the system is expected to be ready for next generation wide-bandgap semi-conductors bringing significantly improved efficiency and thermal performance to electrified vehicles.
The award will allow Azure to continue developing its Third Generation traction system currently in development for the initial F-Series Super Duty program expected to be commercially available in 2013. Azure plans to engineer the next generation inverter technology in a parallel path and expects to identify additional synergies between the two traction system projects as it proceeds with development activity.
Azure said it will work several partners, including Ford Motor Co., to assist with requirements definition thereby ensuring alignment with their vehicle roadmap.
More at www.azuredynamics.com.
