PAICES HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRONICS WILL MAKE HYBRID POWERTRAINS PRACTICAL

DETROIT, Mich. -- High-voltage semiconductors will soon make hybrid-electric powertrains practical for the full range of vehicles that consumers want, an automotive conference here heard recently.

For Immediate Release

PAICES HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRONICS
WILL MAKE HYBRID POWERTRAINS PRACTICAL

   DETROIT, Mich. -- High-voltage semiconductors will soon make hybrid-electric powertrains practical for the full range of vehicles that consumers want, an automotive conference here heard recently.

   With higher voltage, future hybrids can power larger vehicles with better fuel economy and lower cost, compared to the technology on the market today, said Dr. Alex Severinsky, CEO of the Paice Corporation and inventor of its breakthrough Hyperdrive powertrain system. He recently presented a technical paper to the Convergence 2002 Conference.

High voltage semiconductors are unique to the Hyperdrive system and will make hybrid powertrains commercially viable," he said. A 300-volt system will not make an economical hybrid SUV, but an 800-volt system will."

Because of high-voltage power semiconductors, our Hyperdrive system, for the first time, will enable fuel economy improvements of over 50 percent and reduce emissions to negligible levels," he declared. It also significantly improves performance of cars and light trucks and permits more design freedom, without compromising safety or convenience and without significantly higher costs."

Electronics will become the cornerstone of fuel-efficient, clean and economical automobiles, he predicted. Power semiconductors, inverters, batteries, electric motors, and computer controllers with sophisticated software will be the new components of powertrain technology.

Dr. Severinsky presented technical details of the Hyperdrive system and its lead-acid battery technology. He said the system can provide near-maximum performance and cost-value with any battery technology, but lead-acid best meets power density and cycle life requirements and has the highest potential for rapid market penetration.

This method of engine control opens a new chapter for engineering of the next generation of hybrid vehicle applications," Dr. Severinsky said. From a business standpoint, all of its component technologies are mature, widely available and ready for implementation now. Also, development, tooling and re-tooling costs are relatively low in comparison with conventional new vehicle development and tooling programs."

Paice Corporation has created, tested and patented Hyperdrive, a unique gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain system for cars and light trucks. The company has offices in Silver Spring, MD, and an engineering center in Livonia, MI. Additional information is available at www.paice.com.

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Company Contact
Nat Adamson
Paice Corporation
734.464.2222
nadamson@paice.com

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AutoCom Associates
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