The Maya 300: An Exxon-Assisted Electric Car

ExxonMobil has been working with Electrovaya on technology for electric cars. Although information has been dribbling out, we will get more concrete details next week.

If you've picked up a magazine in the last year, you've likely seen ads touting ExxonMobil's research into lithium-ion batteries.

Next week, you will get a further look into how that technology will come to the marketplace.

Electrovaya on Wednesday will discuss its plans for the Maya 300, an all-electric vehicle coming in 2011. The car will run on lithium-ion batteries, charge in about eight to 10 hours, run for 60 miles and plug into regular 110-volt outlets. It will cost around $20,000 to $25,000. An extended-range battery option will run for 120 miles on a charge and cost $30,000 to $35,000.

Electrovaya is a battery maker, but is also producing the car. When it was first announced, Electrovaya said the Maya would be a low-speed electric vehicle. These cars – which are currently made by Zenn Motors and Miles Automotive – top out at 25 to 35 miles an hour and mostly get sold to army bases, campuses and retirement communities.

Low-speed vehicles, though, sell in the $10,000 to $15,000 range, so the price indicates that Electrovaya may have lifted the governor (a feedback device on the car's engine that can be used to prevent the car from accelerating too fast) and turned it into a delivery vehicle/town car similar to the Think City.

ExxonMobil makes the separator film for Electrovaya's battery, called the SuperPolymer (what, no Duper?) Besides battery and battery capacity, it will be interesting to listen if Electrovaya talks about new materials to reduce weight and increase aerodynamics. In the automotive world, design has become what we call the third fuel. Both Bright Automotive and Aptera have made design and materials a major part of their strategies.

The company also plans to show the car at the National Motor Vehicle and Aviation Workshop taking place in Chicago, which starts on July 28.

 

Comments [5]

  • Don J 06/19/09 12:58 PM

    I’m skeptical on the $20,000 to $25,000 value unless that is an ‘after subsidies number.  If they were actually to hit the $20,000 to $25,000 price (pre-subsides) this car could be a big hit considering the subsidies available. I doubt the Maya-300 will pass highway crash tests.

    Reply
  • Brian 06/19/09 3:31 PM

    Electrovaya engineers the complete electrical system which is highly safe guarded and recognized globally in a very tight circle of executives. They have a deal with Tata Motors to not only share the technology but also to be strategic partners to co-build a plant in India to power the next nano car using the Maya 300 technology. This to happen around 2010. Also they have 2 deals with China for manufacturing. But the biggest deal they have on the books is with Statoil in Norway. Statoil scoured the world for the absolute best power system and they found it with Electovaya. (EFL.TSX) Statoil’s car is to come out later this year but I would presume more 2009/2010 winter. They put it through some of the toughest tests known and it passed with flying colours. Especially for cold temps and the battery staying cool in warm climates. They have also worked with a California company that has the first fully electric SUV and they are the supplier of choice. Hence the project with GM to engineer the electrical hybrid SUV. They also engineered a power system for an oil company to be used in a submersable and they tested it for 2 years flawlessly. That test was complete approx. 18 months ago.It’s too bad there isn’t alot of coverage on this company but it is clearly well positioned to be a global leader. Just remember your not investing in their car it’s the powering system…we don’t need another car we need another power alternative. Electrovaya has 2 manufacturing facilities…1 in Ontario and the other in New York state currently. They also have a recognition award from NASA for their participation in a project with their technology.  There’s only a handful of alternative power systems providers but Electrovaya is the only that I have found to offer not only the battery technology but the intrinsic electrical systems that is exclusively theirs.There is a Japanese company (HEV-Nasdaq) and a couple U.S. companies that are private that only have battery technology but leave the electrical system up to the manufacture to come up with that will work for them. That is not viable enough for rapid acceptance for the new technology that everyone is screaming for. The HEV- Nasdaq company is valued at $4-6 and only has a battery that isn’t being used. Electrovaya (EFL.TSX) is severely undervalued…this stock should be in the $5-6 range and once they have a huge deal completely wrapped up it could just soar. Be patient this is a huge growth story in it’s infancy. Pass this on to the news wires, friends and co-workers that are bullish on new alternative technologies. I’m a do-it yourself investor that has been researching this industry for 2 years now and I completely believe in this company and it’s superior electrical engineering. Put this on your watchlist at the very least.

    Reply
  • djt 06/22/09 3:42 PM

    Brian, thanks for the pump and dump routine.

    Please prove 1 single assertion in your post.  With verifiable facts from a source that is not you.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  • jimmy 06/23/09 2:41 AM

    i agree brians comments are pretty rediculous

    Reply
  • Adrienne Fleming 06/23/09 4:29 PM

    As an employee of ExxonMobil, I understand how important it is to develop energy resources in an environmentally, socially and economically responsible manner.  That’s why I’m excited we’re teaming up with Electrovaya and the Maryland Science Center to bring this all-electric car-sharing and rental program to Baltimore.  The fleet of electric cars, called the Maya-300, is powered exclusively by enhanced lithium ion battery technology using ExxonMobil’s battery separator film and the benefit, in terms of emission reductions, could be substantial (http://exxonmobil.com/lib).  This is one example of ExxonMobil’s commitment to and investment in reducing the environmental impact associated with meeting the world’s future energy needs. To learn more visit http://exxonmobil.com/altcar.

    Reply
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