The Maya 300 is an all-electric five door hatch built in Mississauga, Ontario with either a 60- or 120-mile range and a top speed of 30 MPH. The interesting part is it's packing ExxonMobil technology.
The Maya 300 is the result of collaboration between Maya, battery supplier Electrovaya, and technology backer ExxonMobil and is currently heading for fleet sales and possibly an urban car sharing scheme in Baltimore, Maryland. Its Electrovaya lithium ion batteries utilize ExxonMobil's co-extruded separator film to pack energy into the smallest possible size yielding a 12 kWh battery with a 60 mile range or a 27 kWh battery good for 120 miles. The car is motivated via a 15 kW permanent magnet motor (that's a stampede of 20 HP to the rest of us). Recharge times are 6-8 hours on 110V and half that at 220V.
The car is currently certified by the DOT for low speed use, thus the artificial 30 MPH speed limit, but engineers are confident it will meet all federal regulations for freeway capable vehicles as it's equipped with an all-steel body, safety cage and air bags. The intention is to have a Federalized car available to the public for around $20-25,000 in 2011. It's currently making the rounds at the Maryland Science Center, which will be launching their localized ride share and electric car rental program on August 1st, but you can get a ride between now and then with the purchase of a museum ticket.
ZERO VEHICLE EMISSIONS, ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLE NOW COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE
Baltimore leads nation with all-electric car programBaltimore, MD – June 23, 2009 – Baltimore today became one of the nation's first cities to feature an electric car share and rental program using advanced lithium ion battery technology developed by ExxonMobil. The Maryland Science Center with sponsors Electrovaya and ExxonMobil announced the program, called Altcar, which will raise awareness among Baltimore residents and visitors of the future of energy efficient transportation.
The Maryland Science Center also opened a new energy efficiency exhibit, sponsored by ExxonMobil, which includes hands-on activities for children and a full-scale car that showcases the numerous energy saving technologies currently being used by the auto industry.
"The Maryland Science Center is proud to play a central role in today's historic announcement. The launch of this program fits perfectly with our mission to educate the public on scientific advancement," said Van Reiner, CEO of the science center. "Consumers have shown a demand for car sharing programs around the U.S., and it is a logical next step to utilize this business model to demonstrate the growing desire and need for energy efficient transportation that is key to addressing environmental concerns. The new exhibit also will be crucial to helping expand the knowledge of our visitors on this critical and important topic."
The electric car being used in the science center's Altcar program is the new Maya 300. This vehicle can be fueled using a standard household electrical outlet and can drive up to 60 or 120 miles before recharging. The five-door, five passenger urban vehicle, is equipped with the safety, performance, and convenience features common to gasoline-powered cars. Starting June 24, under the program, Baltimore residents and tourists can rent these vehicles at the science center in the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the day to drive around the city to experience the feel of an electric vehicle.
"With our friends at the Maryland Science Center and ExxonMobil, we are demonstrating that creative collaborations are essential to finding innovative solutions that will help meet our future energy needs, create new jobs and protect our environment," said Sankar Das Gupta, president and chairman, Electrovaya.
A public company based in North America, Electrovaya's mission is to accelerate clean transportation as a commercial reality using its advanced power systems for all classes of zero-emission electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The Maya-300's advanced lithium ion battery uses separator film developed by ExxonMobil that significantly enhances the power, safety, strength and reliability of the lithium ion battery.
The lithium-ion battery separator film is one of the many innovative technologies that ExxonMobil has developed to increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles.
"ExxonMobil has a long, rich history of developing energy resources in an environmentally, socially and economically beneficial manner and we are proud to be a part of this program that supports innovative new technologies," said Jim Harris, senior vice president, ExxonMobil Chemical. "This program, coupled with the state-of-the-art exhibit, demonstrates our commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the globe."
The ceremony today took place at the science center and was attended by Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Malcolm Wolf, director of the Maryland Energy Administration. Both expressed their gratitude for the science center's leadership, as well as their support for innovative collaborations – such as that between Maryland Science Center, Electrovaya and ExxonMobil – that introduce clean energy choices that dramatically reduce environmental impacts.
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Fact Sheet: Maya 300About the Maya 300
The Maya 300 is one of the first lithium-ion battery powered electric vehicle to be launched in the world and is now unveiling a four-passenger lithium-ion powered vehicle in North America. Run entirely on electricity, the zero emission vehicle can drive for up to 120 miles without recharging. Due to the combination of exceptional energy density of the lithium ion batteries and the high performance of the electric drive system, the vehicle has impressive handling and acceleration.
The five-door, four-passenger vehicle is equipped with the safety, performance and convenience features common to gasoline-powered cars. These include:
Car Safety
- Dual airbags
- Anti-lock brake system
- Steel body construction
Battery Safety
- Battery designed to shut down flow of electricity if overheating occurs
- Technology to prevent short circuits
Performance
- High torque acceleration and handling at low speeds
- Automatic transmission
- Front-wheel drive
Convenience
- Climate control (AC/heating system)
- Power windows
What Sets the Maya 300 Apart
The Maya 300 brings many firsts among battery operated cars:
- Different look than the traditional battery car: The Maya 300 is the size of a traditional subcompact car and can easily fit four adult passengers, with seatbelts, airbags and everything else you would expect from a traditional car.
- Advanced battery technology: Most of today's hybrid and electric vehicles still run on yesterday's heavy nickel-metal-hydride batteries. The Maya 300 is powered by a Lithium-Ion SuperPolymer® battery, made by Electrovaya. The lithium-ion polymer technology platform enables lithium to be moved faster and more efficiently, allowing more energy to be stored in a smaller space.
- Accessibility: Electrovaya minimized the battery's space requirements and eliminated the need for an enormous battery. A conventional lead acid battery pack would take over 5 times the space and weight of the Electrovaya battery pack.
- Solely battery operated: Unlike the plug-in hybrids that switch over to gasoline after a certain mileage, the Maya 300 can drive for up to 120 miles on a single charge.
- Affordability: The Maya 300 will be offered with the option of the standard battery pack that can drive for up to 60 miles on a single charge at a little under $25,000 USD. An extended 120 mile range battery option is also available for a little under $35,000 USD.
The Maya 300 also offers features that gas-powered vehicles do not, including:
- Inexpensive recharging: The Maya 300 is recharged by plugging a simple extension cord into a standard 110V outlet found in most homes.
- Low maintenance costs: The Maya 300 does not have many of the conventional maintenance requirements of gasoline-powered vehicles, such as oil changes, filter changes and engine tuning. Maintenance for the Maya 300 is restricted to refilling windshield washer fluid, rotating tires and replacing brake pads.
- Instant climate control: Unlike gasoline-powered heating systems, the Maya 300 electric heating system provides instant warmth without having to wait for the engine to heat. The cooling system will behave the same way as standard automotive air-conditioning systems.
ExxonMobil's Role
The ExxonMobil Separator Film
The Maya 300 battery uses a separator film developed by ExxonMobil that significantly enhances the battery's power, safety, durability and reliability. ExxonMobil's co-extruded separator film increases the power, capacity, mechanical strength and safety margins of lithium-ion batteries.
The ExxonMobil film squeezes multiple layers of plastic into a thin membrane, enabling the battery to run at higher temperatures and produce more power. The film makes lithium-ion batteries, such as the Electrovaya battery, practical for consumer use.
The separator film exhibits a unique combination of properties including enhanced permeability, higher meltdown temperature and melt integrity, without compromising the quick shutdown performance and mechanical strength. The higher meltdown temperature significantly increases the film's thermal safety margin.
ExxonMobil's Commitment to Energy Efficiency
The lithium-ion battery separator film is one of the many innovative technologies that ExxonMobil is advancing to increase the fuel efficiency of vehicles. ExxonMobil innovations and technology led to the introduction of the world's first lithium-ion battery in 1991.
ExxonMobil is systematically working to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacturing and use of its products, in the U.S., and around the world.
- The company's advanced fuels, lubricants and specialty products are designed to help engines run cleaner and more efficiently.
- ExxonMobil introduced a synthetic lining material that reduces weight and helps tires maintain proper air pressure, two important components in reducing fuel consumption.
- The company is developing new technologies to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines by up to 30 percent.
- It is also developing an onboard hydrogen generation system that can be used in a fuel-cell vehicle to improve fuel economy by 80 percent and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent, compared to today's vehicles using conventional fuel.
Maya 300 Availability
Electrovaya will be rolling out the Maya 300 first through sampling programs and government fleets.
The Maryland Science Center will be offering an all-electric car-sharing and rental program in Baltimore, featuring cars that look and feel like traditional gasoline-powered cars. Baltimore residents and visitors will be invited to rent the Maya 300 giving consumers the opportunity to become familiar with the all-electric car.
Through their subset potential users, there will be ongoing communications to educate consumers on what electric cars can do, and what needs to happen to bring them into the mainstream.
About Electrovaya
Electrovaya is a public company, based in North America, whose mission is to accelerate clean transportation as a commercial reality with its advanced power systems for all classes of zero-emission electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. It is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of lithium-ion batteries, such as those used in the Maya 300.
About ExxonMobil Chemical
ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the world's premier petrochemical companies with manufacturing, technology, and marketing operations around the world. The company delivers a broad portfolio of products and solutions efficiently and responsibly, with a commitment to create outstanding customer and shareholder value. ExxonMobil Chemical endorses the principles of sustainable development, including the need to balance economic growth, social development and environmental considerations. To learn more, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com