EMD Selects Ioxus’ 3,000F iCAP Ultracapacitors for Improved Fuel Efficiency in Trucks

EMD’s emDRIVE hybrid conversion system offers a cost-effective and easy-to-install solution for fleet operators to combat rising fuel prices and meet government fuel economy regulations. Ultracapacitor technology dramatically enhances the operation of emDRIVE as compared to previously used energy storage solutions. EMD chose Ioxus’ 3,000F iCAP cell as the core energy storage solutionin its emDRIVE hybrid conversion system because it has the lowest weight, lowest equivalent series resistance (ESR) and highest power density available in the market. Ultracapacitors can handle more than one million charge and discharge cycles and offer a longer lifespan than batteries, allowing EMD to meet customer demands for a low-cost solution that is easy to install and reduces operating costs.

“We use ultracapacitors as our system’s energy storage medium in order to capture regenerative braking energy to be used later to assist the vehicle’s acceleration,” said Joseph Ambrosio, General Manager of EMD. “Because ultracapacitors are highly efficient at energy recapture and storage, they are best able to handle the high power bursts we needed for our hybrid conversion systems to deliver the highest fuel efficiency.”

With a high cycle life, a high charge acceptance rate of 95 percent, wide temperature operating range and instantaneous recharge, ultracapacitors are the ideal energy storage solution for hybrid-electrical applications. Ultracapacitors are the only technology able to capture the high peak power levels of a regenerative braking event in a compact, low-weight package. EMD’s emDRIVE, with the help of Ioxus ultracapacitors, extends the life of brake pads anywhere from 50 to 100 percent. With increased fuel mileage and reduced maintenance requirements, many EMD customers will see a payback in two to three years.

“Rugged, durable ultracapacitor cells provide the best energy storage solution for acceleration and energy recapture,” said Mark McGough, CEO of Ioxus. “With a wide breadth ofultracapacitor technology, Ioxus offers many highly reliable solutions for hybrid-electrical applications, increasing the efficiency of the hybrid conversion system by reducing overall system maintenance and cost to propel such technology toward mass adoption.”