Newswise — During his inaugural address, President Obama spoke plainly about the nation's energy crisis and our reliance on foreign oil: ". . . each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet." While promises of a vast national economic recovery and stimulus plan revolving around infrastructure refurbishment and clean technologies are inspiring to many, for the moment at least, those plans remain diffuse.
"Electric vehicles hold the key to a cleaner, safer, greener future," says Dr. Robert Kang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Leo Motors, Inc., a Korean-based company that has introduced to the world a line of environmentally sound, cost efficient, and beautifully designed Electric Vehicles (EVs) and EV components.
Indeed, of all the potential alternative energy sources currently being considered—solar, wind, wave—electricity remains the only power alternative that is readily available for automobiles today. "The EV industry has become one of the fastest growing businesses in the world," Dr. Kang explains, "but high cost and performance barriers such as inefficient RPM and torque control, high voltage control, charging time, and limited range and speed, have thus far hampered the widespread acceptance and viability of electric cars."
With eight patents currently under preparation, Leo Motors' major EV technology breakthroughs are fourfold:
Patented Multi Motor System ("MMS" ): Leo's Multi Motor System ("MMS" ) solves the problems that have traditionally plagues EVs by using a combination of smaller motors. For example, employing four 15 Kw motors instead of one 60 Kw motor, dramatically improving efficiency, power, and safety. Another benefit of Leo's MMS is the improved energy saving potential that comes from being able to operate from one low powered motor to four, depending on the driving mode. After accelerating to desired speed using the increased torque of the MMS, or driving in jammed downtown traffic, the EV can switch to all but one or two small motors to expend the minimal amount of energy needed to maintain cruising speeds.
Multi Channel Battery Management System: Leo's multi channel Battery Management System ("BMS" ) perfectly controls the electricity flow when charging and discharging the battery pack, keeps stable battery temperature by using power off or cooling functions, and maintains the cell balance within up to 0.01 volt to prevent the domino cell drop down. Unlike BMS from outside sources, however, Leo has leveraged our expertise in Package Design and Driving Mode Optimization to fully integrate our multi channel BMS with the driving experience.
Refuelable Zinc Air-Fuel Cell Generator: Zinc Air Fuel Cell ("ZAFC" ) Generator can generate electricity and transmit it to the batteries in the car by fueling tiny zinc balls positioning to become the power pack for next-generation automobiles. The generator can replace the engine in the PHEV that is used as the generator. Using ZAFC Generator, cars become zero emission hybrid cars. Zinc is known as one of the most abundant mineral in the earth. With 20 Kg of zinc, the compact sized car can go more than 800 Km. The size of the generator is half of the battery pack.
Multi Copper Plate Motor: One of the biggest problems of existing EVs is that they use industrial electric motors for power train. Industrial motors, however, was designed for using in static places. They are suitable to be used for automobile power trains that are used in the toughest of working environments including rain, rough terrains, and extremely cold or warm weather. Leo's MCP Motor has multiple copper plates and bars instead of coils and/or permanent magnet. Using plates means that the MCP Motor does not need coil winding and use of expensive permanent magnets, thus reducing the size of the motor more by than half. In addition, the MCP Motor has the added capability of electricity regeneration. Leo expects to market its motor to other EV makers, as well as makers of Plug-in Hybrid EVs ("PHEV" ), and intends to begin mass production in late 2009.
Thus far, Leo Motors has focused on technology development and securing a future, international export sales network. In 2008, Leo Motors negotiated deals to supply EVs to fleets in the Philippines and Thailand. The government of Puerto Princesa, Philippines contracted Leo Motors to supply the city with 2,500 LSV taxis first among 5,500 taxies to be changed in order to help solve the region's worsening pollution and gas price problems. In addition to manufacturing our own EVs, Leo will diversify by marketing its component parts to other EV and PHEV makers, and expanding its robust product pipeline to include sports utility vehicles, motorcycles, military vehicles, trucks and buses.
"With the major car manufacturers expected to enter the EV market within the next two to three years," says Dr. Kang, "this year's Earth Day is the right time for the automotive industry, governments, and consumers alike to finally embrace EV-olutionary theory." Visit www.leomotors.com to learn more.
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