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Company History AC Propulsion Inc. is a California Corporation founded in 1992 to develop, manufacture, and license system and component technology for electric vehicle drive systems. Since its founding, AC Propulsion has emerged as a worldwide leader in producing EVs that meet the functional requirements of daily use.
AC Propulsion founder and president, Alan Cocconi, received his engineering degree from California Institute of Technology. As an engineering consultant, he developed the drive and solar tracking systems for the GM SunRaycer which won the 1987 World Solar Challenge, a cross-country race for solar powered vehicles held in Australia. He then designed and built the controller for the original GM Impact that was introduced at the 1990 LA Auto Show and which has since evolved into GM's EV-1. For some early history of Alan Cocconi's connection with the GM Sunraycer and Impact, see Chapter 2 of Michael Schnayerson's book, The Car that Could.
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In
1994, AC Propulsion introduced the AC-150, a 150 kW (200 hp) integrated
drive system for compact to midsize passenger cars. At that time, AC
Propulsion developed an electric vehicle based on a Honda Civic hatchback
to demonstrate the AC-150's capabilities. Tested by Road & Track,
that car achieved a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.2 seconds. In June,
1996, the same AC Propulsion EV, with 47,000 miles on it, set a range
record of 145 miles over the "Pomona Loop" an urban driving
circuit used by Southern California Edison to evaluate EVs. Energy consumption
over the range test was 126 Wh/mile, the equivalent of 266 miles per
gallon. No other EV, including advanced prototypes from major automakers
has matched these levels of performance and efficiency.
In
1997, AC Propulsion introduced the tzero at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The tzero packages AC Propulsion electric drive technology in a 2-seat
high performance sports car capable of 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, yet still
able to reliably achieve 80 - 100 miles of driving range. The
range and performance of the AC Propulsion EVs, is achieved with commercially
available, cost-effective lead-acid batteries. AC Propulsion has developed
sophisticated battery management and monitoring systems that extend
battery range and operating life. By doing so AC Propulsion achieved
what multi-million dollar alternative battery research programs have
not yet been able to do: develop an EV that provides excellent range
and performance with affordable batteries, not experimental, high-cost,
prototype designs.
AC
Propulsion operates from a combined R&D and manufacturing shop in
San Dimas, California. The facility includes an extensive power electronics
and electric motor development laboratory, electronics assembly and
test equipment, a 200 hp dynamometer with automated data acquisition
system, machine shop, automated battery test equipment, and complete
vehicle service bays. In addition to the EV drive system development
and manufacturing activity, AC Propulsion conducts R&D programs
for automotive OEMs and other clients in areas such as electric and
hybrid vehicle development, battery testing, and hybrid power unit development.
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©2006 AC Propulsion Inc., All rights reserved. |