AC Propulsion and AutoPort, Inc. Partner to Develop Electric Vehicle for US Postal Service Feasibility Study

Source: AC Propulsion

AC Propulsion (one of the biggest influencers in electric vehicle technology) and AutoPort today announced that they will partnering to create an amazing conversion program for the United States Postal Service.  This is huge because the USPS intent is to possibly convert 142,000 Long Life Vehicles (LLVs) to plug-in Battery Electric Vehicles.

“We are thrilled to partner with AutoPort to present a long-term solution to the US Postal Service,” AC Propulsion CEO Tom Gage said. “Our solution provides the safety an performance required by the USPS, and it will reduce cost, increase efficiency, and improve driveability for the mail carriers.”

With the AC Propulsion and AutoPort solution, the current USPS LLV design will be stripped of the gasoline engine, transmission and other components and refitted with the AC Propulsion AC-150 drive system, an integrated power system that includes an AC induction motor, inverter, charger and 12V power supply. AutoPort will convert the vehicle on-site at its facilities in New Castle, Delaware. The converted vehicle will comply with Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Safety SAE J2344, and all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

AC Propulsion and AutoPort’s solution offers the low cost of ownership and revenue producing potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology integrated into its drive system: the AC-150 is the only V2G capable drive-train worldwide. “For AutoPort, this is a landmark day in our history, to be one of the companies selected by the USPS to participate in their demonstration project involving the conversion of an LLV to an all Electric Vehicle,” said Roy Kirchner, President of AutoPort. “We believe that electricity is the right fuel for the USPS delivery fleet, and by including V2G capabilities, our solution will give the lowest total cost of operation”

AC Propulsion and AutoPort’s solution will be tested against the USPS’s requirements at AutoPort’s facilities, and then will be placed into service in the DC metro area for at least one year, where they will be monitored for carrier satisfaction, cost of operation and maintenance.