News

Enova Fuel Cell Components Used in Challenge

September 21, 2003 by Jeff Shepard

Enova Systems Inc. (Torrance, CA), a developer and manufacturer of mobile and stationary electric, hybrid and fuel cell digital power management systems, announced that its power management and fuel cell systems are key featured components in two major automotives OEMs entrants in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum™ this year. Both Ford Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. will participate in the competition with their fuel cell hybrid vehicles featuring Enova's technology.

Hyundai will debut its Santa Fe fuel cell hybrid-electric vehicle (FCHEV), joining the proven Santa Fe fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) in competing against other alternative energy vehicles. Hyundai's new FCHEV and the FCEV are propelled by Enova's Panther™ hybrid-electric, drive-train, motor and control unit, including its power-conversion systems.

Ford will be competing with two of its third-generation Focus FCV-Hybrid, as well as other alternative fuel vehicle platforms. The Focus FCV features Enova's High Power Converter, which transfers power between the fuel cell, the drive system and the battery and assists in energy recovery during regenerative braking.

"Enova continues to develop and manufacture state-of-the-art technologies for the fuel cell hybrid markets for both mobile and stationary markets," commented Carl Perry, Enova Systems' president and CEO. "We are proud that our technology and components are integrated in these two global automotive leader's vehicles. We congratulate both Hyundai and Ford on their vehicles' past performance and wish them well in this year's event."

The 2003 Challenge Bibendum™ will be held in Sonoma and San Francisco, CA, September 23-25, 2003. More than 100 passenger and commercial vehicles are expected to participate.