Balqon has just added its baddest bruiser yet to its electric truck range. Sure, the top speed is only 25 miles per hour, which means the new XE20 is definitely not as fast as its road-going Mule 150 brother, but its ability to pull 40 tons (!) means it's definitely the brawniest of the bunch. Powered by a liquid-cooled 240 kW AC induction motor, this latest tractor is said to provide the most low-end torque in its class and should be a perfect fit for the off-highway applications it was designed for. The 140 kWh lithium ion battery pack gives it a range between 50 (loaded) and 94 (unloaded) miles and comes standard with a 20 kW charger, though there is an option to upgrade that to an 80 kW version.
The body, which we have to admit is butt-and-a-half ugly, is based on the Xspotter by Autocar. In business since 1897, the Balqon partner knows a little something about building trucks and claims this design has a lot of safety, visibility, and durability advantages its competitors lack. Until we can take it for a test drive we'll have to take their word for it. Hit the jump for the official press release plus a bit of bonus video of the XE20 struttin' its stuff.
[Source: Balqon via Green Car Congress]
PRESS RELEASE
Balqon Corporation Introduces Extended Range Lithium-Ion Powered Electric Yard Tractor for Warehousing and Port Applications
HARBOR CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balqon Corporation (OTCBB: BLQN), an emerging developer and manufacturer of zero emissions heavy-duty electric vehicles for Class 7 and Class 8 applications, today announced the release of its lithium-ion battery powered Yard Tractor truck designed for use in warehousing, logistics, and port applications.
Balqon's new product, the Nautilus XE20, is designed, integrated, and built in cooperation with Autocar® Truck and their Xspotter® yard tractor team. The Autocar® Xspotter design is the culmination of years of Autocar's extensive experience in numerous severe duty vocational truck applications to develop a more technologically advanced and modern yard tractor, with numerous safety, visibility, and durability advantages yet to be seen in this application. "Autocar's® advanced yard tractor design, combined with Balqon's latest lithium-ion battery power technology, makes the Nautilus XE20 the flagship of our product line," said Mr. Balwinder Samra, Balqon Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe true ergonomics begins with a clean environment and low noise in the cab for the operator that spends forty plus hours a week operating these vehicles," added Mr. Samra.
"Supported by Autocar® and our service and parts locations coast to coast in US and Canada, we believe makes Nautilus XE20 a truly commercially viable zero emission alternative to traditional diesel powered yard tractors currently in use in warehouse distribution centers, marine terminals, intermodal facilities, industrial plants and railyards," said Autocar's® Eric Schwartz, Vice President Specialty Vehicle Business of Autocar® LLC.
The Nautilus XE20 is designed for off-highway container or semi-trailer "spotting" applications, and is equipped standard with Balqon's proprietary traction drive and battery management system. The Nautilus XE20 is designed to travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and is capable of towing loads of up to 40 tons. Field demonstrations conducted at both a large beverage distribution warehouse and an industrial manufacturing facility showed lower energy consumption over competitive diesel powered vehicles operated in similar environments. See vehicle in action at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBalqon.
About Balqon Corporation.
Balqon Corporation is a leading developer of heavy duty electric trucks, tractors and electric drive systems. The Company uses its proprietary flux vector control technology to design propulsion systems for 10 to 50 ton capacity vehicles and material handling equipment. Balqon Corporation's current product line of tow tractors are designed to transport containers at ports, marine terminals, rail yards, warehouses, intermodal facilities, military bases and mail facilities. For information about Balqon Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.balqon.com. Balqon Corporation's common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "BLQN."
About Autocar, LLC
Autocar, LLC, headquartered in Hagerstown, Indiana, is an engineering, assembly, sales, and service company, with a focus on severe service heavy duty trucks. Autocar® engineers and assembles highly customized vehicles for applications including waste collection and hauling, yard tractor spotting, drayage hauling, mobile cranes, construction, and aircraft services. Additional information on Autocar® LLC is available at www.autocartruck.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release, including without limitation, Balqon Corporation's ability to sell electric vehicles including its Nautilus XE20, the commercial viability of vehicles equipped with lithium-ion batteries and the ability of the Nautilus XE20 to consume lower energy otherwise consumed by competitive diesel powered vehicles are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Balqon Corporation could differ from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, unforeseen technical issues; Balqon Corporation's ability to secure purchase orders for its products, including the Nautilus XE20; Balqon Corporation's ability to attract sufficient capital to manufacture its products, including the Nautilus XE20; the ability of Balqon Corporation to attract and retain talented individuals; adverse economic and market conditions; the projected future demand for Balqon Corporation's products, including the Nautilus XE20; changes in technology and governmental regulations and policies; and other events, factors and risks previously and from time to time disclosed in Balqon Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, specifically, those factors set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of Balqon Corporation's Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2009 and Balqon Corporation's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2009 and November 16, 2009 respectively.
The body, which we have to admit is butt-and-a-half ugly, is based on the Xspotter by Autocar. In business since 1897, the Balqon partner knows a little something about building trucks and claims this design has a lot of safety, visibility, and durability advantages its competitors lack. Until we can take it for a test drive we'll have to take their word for it. Hit the jump for the official press release plus a bit of bonus video of the XE20 struttin' its stuff.
[Source: Balqon via Green Car Congress]
The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.
PRESS RELEASE
Balqon Corporation Introduces Extended Range Lithium-Ion Powered Electric Yard Tractor for Warehousing and Port Applications
HARBOR CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Balqon Corporation (OTCBB: BLQN), an emerging developer and manufacturer of zero emissions heavy-duty electric vehicles for Class 7 and Class 8 applications, today announced the release of its lithium-ion battery powered Yard Tractor truck designed for use in warehousing, logistics, and port applications.
Balqon's new product, the Nautilus XE20, is designed, integrated, and built in cooperation with Autocar® Truck and their Xspotter® yard tractor team. The Autocar® Xspotter design is the culmination of years of Autocar's extensive experience in numerous severe duty vocational truck applications to develop a more technologically advanced and modern yard tractor, with numerous safety, visibility, and durability advantages yet to be seen in this application. "Autocar's® advanced yard tractor design, combined with Balqon's latest lithium-ion battery power technology, makes the Nautilus XE20 the flagship of our product line," said Mr. Balwinder Samra, Balqon Corporation's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe true ergonomics begins with a clean environment and low noise in the cab for the operator that spends forty plus hours a week operating these vehicles," added Mr. Samra.
"Supported by Autocar® and our service and parts locations coast to coast in US and Canada, we believe makes Nautilus XE20 a truly commercially viable zero emission alternative to traditional diesel powered yard tractors currently in use in warehouse distribution centers, marine terminals, intermodal facilities, industrial plants and railyards," said Autocar's® Eric Schwartz, Vice President Specialty Vehicle Business of Autocar® LLC.
The Nautilus XE20 is designed for off-highway container or semi-trailer "spotting" applications, and is equipped standard with Balqon's proprietary traction drive and battery management system. The Nautilus XE20 is designed to travel at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and is capable of towing loads of up to 40 tons. Field demonstrations conducted at both a large beverage distribution warehouse and an industrial manufacturing facility showed lower energy consumption over competitive diesel powered vehicles operated in similar environments. See vehicle in action at http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBalqon.
About Balqon Corporation.
Balqon Corporation is a leading developer of heavy duty electric trucks, tractors and electric drive systems. The Company uses its proprietary flux vector control technology to design propulsion systems for 10 to 50 ton capacity vehicles and material handling equipment. Balqon Corporation's current product line of tow tractors are designed to transport containers at ports, marine terminals, rail yards, warehouses, intermodal facilities, military bases and mail facilities. For information about Balqon Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.balqon.com. Balqon Corporation's common stock trades on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "BLQN."
About Autocar, LLC
Autocar, LLC, headquartered in Hagerstown, Indiana, is an engineering, assembly, sales, and service company, with a focus on severe service heavy duty trucks. Autocar® engineers and assembles highly customized vehicles for applications including waste collection and hauling, yard tractor spotting, drayage hauling, mobile cranes, construction, and aircraft services. Additional information on Autocar® LLC is available at www.autocartruck.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release, including without limitation, Balqon Corporation's ability to sell electric vehicles including its Nautilus XE20, the commercial viability of vehicles equipped with lithium-ion batteries and the ability of the Nautilus XE20 to consume lower energy otherwise consumed by competitive diesel powered vehicles are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Balqon Corporation could differ from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, unforeseen technical issues; Balqon Corporation's ability to secure purchase orders for its products, including the Nautilus XE20; Balqon Corporation's ability to attract sufficient capital to manufacture its products, including the Nautilus XE20; the ability of Balqon Corporation to attract and retain talented individuals; adverse economic and market conditions; the projected future demand for Balqon Corporation's products, including the Nautilus XE20; changes in technology and governmental regulations and policies; and other events, factors and risks previously and from time to time disclosed in Balqon Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, specifically, those factors set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of Balqon Corporation's Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2009 and Balqon Corporation's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2009 and November 16, 2009 respectively.
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