aXcessaustralia has an electric shock in store for visitors to the Melbourne International Motor Show, which starts on 3 March 2000 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Australia's leading scientists from CSIRO have developed a totally new hybrid electric drivetrain that will be fitted into a functioning motor car, aXcessaustralia LEV, by June 2000. It will be displayed overseas to market Australia's hybrid electric technology and automotive components' industry to the world.

This is leading edge technology. aXcessaustralia's unique combination of components gives it the performance of a conventional vehicle, but with half the fuel consumption and 90% less pollution.

CSIRO has developed a sophisticated powertrain that will be immediately useful without the previous constraints of distance, speed and cost.

The battery pack in the aXcessaustralia LEV provides enough storage to allow the car to drive around in urban traffic for about 20 minutes, under electric power alone.

Drivers can choose which mode the car is to perform in. For instance, commuting to the city outskirts from outer suburban areas can be done with assistance from the ICE (internal combustion engine).

When in areas that are particularly environmentally sensitive such as city centres, the driver can switch over to electric-only mode and run zero-emissions. This means that the car has the range of a conventional vehicle but emits significantly less pollution.

Supercapacitors provide the extra power required to allow this vehicle to easily keep up with regular traffic flow and handle highway and freeway conditions. Supercapacitors have never before been used in an electric vehicle and have been developed exclusively by CSIRO for this powertrain.

The internal combustion engine - itself a innovative new design by CMC Power Systems - can recharge the batteries on the move. More importantly, the batteries have been designed to be charged overnight on low tariff electricity.

Plug and power technology for now!

More information:
Mandy Parry-Jones, Marketing Manager, aXcessaustralia Phone: 03 9484 8624
mobile 0409 806 986