EEVC, the Eastern EV Club in their July newsletter led off with a story about Honda's 2000 Hybrid. Their system is called Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), using a 1 liter, 3-cylinder lean- burn engine. It uses a dc brushless motor that is only 60 mm thick. The battery is a 144-voh NiMH. The engine runs continuously and the motor gives it the performance equivalent of a 1.5 liter engine. Total vehicle weight is under 2000 pounds, achieved by generous use of aluininum and plastics. Estimated selling price is under $ 20,000. Honda expects to beat the Toyota Prius to market. (Editor's note - With its lightweight and engine-motor use on acceleration, it is possible the Honda 2000 will be better received than the Prius that uses only an electric motor for acceleration for the first 13 mph. We all know that acceleration sells cars)

Oliver Perry describes work with the Cinnamonsen High School group in their 1999 Tour de Sol participation. Oliver had to finish modifications to last yea?s vehicle because the students quit.

EV News, Larry Dussalt's effort in the July issue reported in the EnV 99 conference where fliel cells were much-discussed. The strong Nissan delegation to explain that their advanced technology ve~icles will hiclude hybrid~, fliel cells and continued development of their Aifra EV.

The issue also had a report on the Future Car Challenge. The 99 competition was won by the University of Wisconsin modified Mercury Sable with a 1.8-liter diesel engine, an electric motor, and a battery pack made up of 600 rechargeable power packs from cordless tools. Virginia Tech placed second with a modified Lurnina that had an electric drive powered by a fliel cell using hydrogen carried in a rear-mounted tank.. Their entry was the only zero-eniission vehicle entered. This is the final year for Future car.

General Motors at the event announced it will continue to improve the EV 1 and offer a line of battery-electric, hybrids, and fliel cell vehicles. It was also noted that the GM EV 1 coupe recently covered 220 miles at a constant 45 mph speed on a distance run. Its energy consumption was 0.178 kwh/mile. Check Web site http://ev.ineLgov for information about other vehicles involved in the test.

GEM was also represented at the meeting. The vehicle, built in Fargo, NI) is intended for use in neighborhoods, being limited to 25 mph. The vehicle has been successfiil in Michigan's Bay Harbor Resort along Lake Michigan.



F-	AN~~OF SPE(~L CONCi~~~

The Editor received a communication from Clarence Ellers. For those of you not familiar with lmn, Clarence is an EV pioneer of note. He was active with the California EAA. He later moved to Yachats, OR and published a monthly Newsletter until two years ago.

In 1980, Clarence designed and built a hybrid car, called the AZTEC 7.. It was a lightweight vehicle with a fiberglass body and aluminum frame. The car had two independent drive systems, one ICE and the other electric. The front wheels were driven by a 20 hp electric motor and 4- speed transaxie. The rear wheels were powered by a 36 hp Kawasaki motorcycle engine that drove a generator and was coupled to a rear differential through a magnetic torque converter. Clarence invented a unique control system to synchronize the two power sources.