Capstone Successfully Completes Track Testing of Kenworth Microturbine-Powered Hybrid Electric Truck
CHATSWORTH, Calif., Sept. 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, announced today that it has successfully completed track testing of a Kenworth Class 7 hybrid electric work truck using its 65kW microturbine as an on board range extender. The successful track testing confirmed both high-speed performance as well as operation on 20 percent grades.
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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/43227117-0cc4-4381-a34e-7cd464b33675.
“This is a very significant milestone in our joint development program with Kenworth Truck Company, which is funded in part by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District,” said Darren Jamison, Capstone’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“The objective of this program is to demonstrate the considerable fuel economy benefits, lower emissions and significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of a microturbine-powered delivery or work vehicle. Electric vehicles are excellent for the environment, but the ability to save money from improvements in fuel economy is critical to making these vehicles both sustainable and cost-effective. Working with Kenworth has been very beneficial for Capstone to further develop our technical and market expertise in applying our technology to hybrid electric vehicles,” added Mr. Jamison.
The Kenworth Class 7 work truck features a Capstone C65 microturbine that is installed onboard and operates on compressed natural gas. The microturbine acts as a range extender to charge an onboard 47 kWh Li-Ion battery pack, which in turn provides power to the electric traction motors that propel the truck. The truck is fitted with a refrigerated box body that uses electric power to provide payload cooling while on the road, thereby eliminating the need to operate a separate diesel engine generator set with its associated fuel consumption and additional emissions. The drivetrain is sized for urban delivery cycles but is capable of achieving significant highway speeds as well.
Capstone has developed simulations to compare a microturbine-powered hybrid electric vehicle’s fuel economy, NOx and CO2 emissions to a conventional diesel-powered truck drivetrain operating on city and rural delivery cycles. Simulated results for low-mileage urban delivery routes indicate diesel equivalent truck miles-per-gallon could be as much as three times higher for the microturbine hybrid, with a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas of 65 percent and a reduction of NOx by more than 90 percent. Capstone plans to begin customer demonstration testing later this year as well as additional drive cycle testing to confirm predicted performance.
“Electric vehicles are gaining market traction in buses, automobiles and heavy duty trucks, and programs like this allow Capstone to maintain its leadership position in the application of microturbines in the growing electric vehicle industry,” said Jim Crouse, Capstone’s Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With recent announcements from major manufacturers such as Tesla and Cummins that underscore the industry’s growing acceptance of heavy-duty electric drivetrains, Capstone intends to be an active participant in this emerging technology shift,” added Mr. Crouse.
You can track current and future progress on this Capstone hybrid electric vehicle project using the following web link: https://www.capstoneturbine.com/news/in-the-news/detail/6610/a-capstone-c65-microturbine-provides-extended-range-by
About Capstone Turbine Corporation
Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (NASDAQ:CPST) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone has shipped over 9,000 Capstone Microturbine systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation's energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified company, Capstone is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about the advantages of our products in hybrid electric vehicles, such as fuel economy, lower emissions, and lower green gas emissions; timing of customer demonstrations and additional tests; and the growth of the electric vehicle market. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
"Capstone" and "Capstone Microturbine" are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
CONTACT: Capstone Turbine Corporation Investor and investment media inquiries: 818-407-3628 ir@capstoneturbine.com
Released September 6, 2017
