National Press Release

LONDON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The '2008 European Automotive Powertrain Entrepreneurial Company Award' is presented to e-Traction Europe B.V. for having demonstrated entrepreneurial excellence in terms of innovative in-wheel direct drive motor technology with its e-Traction system.

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"Stringent emission norms and fuel saving benefits for end-users, easier integration with conventional, hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles coupled with design flexibility are among the several advantages of the e-Traction system," notes Frost & Sullivan Industry Manager Vijayendra Rao. "The system will enjoy significant growth potential in the coming years with many European commercial vehicle OEMs entering the market and increasing local government support for such endeavours."

The e-Traction system represents a completely unique product solution. The system has been developed by e-Traction Europe B.V. with its suppliers to create a complete module that includes auxiliary power unit (APU), universal rear axle and in-wheel direct drive motors.

This design offers flexibility in terms of retrofitting with current components within a vehicle. For instance, the batteries within the air conditioned storage compartment can be exchanged within 20 minutes while the APU also can be replaced by a spare unit within half a day.

"The e-Traction system is an innovative technology that is likely to eliminate powertrain components such as transmissions, cardan shafts and differentials in the future," adds Rao. "The entire system can be integrated within the wheels, resulting in design flexibility, reduced weight by 5-10% depending on the number of in-wheel motors and emission reduction by 45-55% for bus applications."

Underlining its growing appeal, e-Traction has got financial support for ongoing projects and funding from local governments. For instance, the company recently won a contract for the conversion of 5 Volvo buses with e-Traction system for the Town of Apeldoorn (Netherlands). Moreover, the company has collaborated with the Boudesteijn Group, Nedstack (Netherlands) to implement the e-Traction system in a 7.5 ton city delivery truck that was introduced at the European Road Transport show in 2007 and won the European Road Transport Show Innovation Award.

The e-Traction system is a revolutionary rather than evolutionary technology and is a pioneer in the market for commercial vehicle applications. It can be used in SUVs, people movers and delivery vans and has already been successfully tested in many applications including prototype buses, trucks and forklifts in Europe.

"The e-Traction system has been one of its kind for application in commercial vehicles in terms of in-wheel direct drive motor technology for use in conventional and hybrid vehicles," explains Rao. "e-Traction has a product development lead time of at least 3-5 years over its competitors and is well positioned to be a major participant in in-wheel direct drive motor technology."

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Entrepreneurial Company is presented each year to the small company that demonstrated superior entrepreneurial ability in its industry during the research period. This Award signifies the company's identification of a unique and revolutionary product solution with significant market potential. Additionally, the Award certifies that the company's marketing strategy is sound and poised for success.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About e-Traction Europe B.V.

SPI, later renamed into e-Traction, was established in 1981 by Heinen and his wife in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The company specialises in developing and engineering prototypes of all kind of vehicles for different customers. Heinen made a remarkable discovery which led to the development of TheWheel, for which patents where granted. Based on the patents a new challenge was taken on: the design of an ultra-efficient city bus featuring TheWheel as traction component. After several prototypes 'TheWhisper' has evolved into a viable technology which makes vehicles travel twice as far with the same fuel consumption. City busses, equipped with TheWheel, will for the first time appear in actual service in 2009 in the cities of Apeldoorn and Rotterdam. e-Traction is currently designing more types of TheWheel to improve the fuel consumption of SUV's, lorries and other vehicles, such as a passenger car as well.

    e-Traction Europe B.V. Contact:
    Vissenstraat 36
    7324 AL Apeldoorn
    Phone: +31 (0) 55 521 1111
    Fax: +31 (0) 55 55222366
    Website: www.e-traction.nl

About Frost & Sullivan

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan