Maya Electric

June 24, 2009

Exxon-Backed AltCar Launches First Car-Sharing Service in U.S. to Feature EVs

AltCar this week became the first car-sharing service in the U.S. to provide members with access to a fleet of plug-in electric vehicles and gas-electric hybrids on an hourly basis.

The service, which is funded at least in part by ExxonMobil, launched in Baltimore on Tuesday with nationwide aspirations.

Although AltCar said it intends to make a mix of all-electric and hybrid-electric available to its members, at least initially the company is offering only one model.

That would be the Maya 300 (pictured), made by Maya Electric of Mississauga, Canada, and featuring a lithium-ion battery produced by Electrovaya. The zero-emissions, five-door, four-passenger EV is classified as a low- or medium-speed vehicle.

Depending on battery size, each car can travel a distance of up to 60 or up to 120 miles. Each battery contains an ExxonMobil separator film that supposedly enhances the power, safety, strength and reliability of the battery.

The big oil company has made no secret of the fact that it has invested more than $500,000 in the car-sharing program.

AltCar's Baltimore program launched with five Maya 300s. Plans call for another five cars to be added to the program in coming weeks.

The Maya 300 charges in about eight hours, plugs into a regular household outlet and will be available to consumers within a year, promised Electrovaya Chairman and CEO Sankar Das Gupta.

Posted by: Permalink | Comments (0); Scott Doggett June 24, 2009, 11:31 AM
Categories:: Batteries, Emissions, Maya Electric
Technorati Tags:: AltCar