Editors: R.J. Levangie / K.S. Robinson epoeditor@epoverviews.com

Japan Post considers a Zero- Emission, EV fleet (Int'l Ind. Report)

Japan's postal service may switch its entire fleet of 21,000 short-distance delivery vehicles to zero-emission electric vehicles beginning later this year. The plan has a few hurdles to overcome, not the least of which is finding EVs in sufficient numbers, and creating a widespread recharging infrastructure across Japan. Other details are scarce, but the markets were clearly following the announcement; Shares of Japanese battery makers surged between five nd 16 percent after the story hit the wires. (Source: Reuters, June 2, 2008).

Contact: Japan Post, www.post.japanpost.jp/english/index.html.

Hydrogen Storage breakthrough at BMW (New Prod. - R&D)

BMW is expected to announce a new hydrogen storage breakthrough at the StorHy conference in France this week. Forschung und Technik, BMW's research and development arm, along with a diverse consortium of other companies, have managed to develop a composite modular storage tank that allows more flexibility than currently available large, steel cylinder storage tanks. There's no word on whether this design will minimize hydrogen boiling off, another major obstacle to widespread adoption of the fuel. (Source: BMW, June 2, 2008).

Contact: BMW, www.bmw.com.

Continental invests in Japanese Li-Ion Battery developer (M&A)

Automotive supplier Continental has taken a 16 percent stake in Enax, a Japanese lithium-ion developer and manufacturer. The deal sees the two companies developing li-ion cells for automotive applications with an emphasis on promoting the safety, service life, and performance of next-generation batteries. Tokyo headquartered Enax had sales of $10,500,000 US in 2006. Continental is in the running to supply battery packs to the Chevy Volt, and is producing high-performance batteries - using Johnson Controls Saft cells - for the Mercedes S400 BlueHYBRID that hits showroom floors later this year.

Contact: Rolf Woller, Head of Investor Relations, Continental Corporation, +49 (0) 511 938-1068, rolf.woller@conti.de; Enax, www.enax.jp/company_e/topFrameset.htm.

GM closes a few doors, tries to opens a window (Ind. Report)

The Detroit News revealed that GM has begun applying for tax incentives from the city of Detroit and from Michigan to build a plant for their upcoming Volt. This news comes as GM announces it is suspending operations in four truck and SUV plants across North America, and reexamining its Hummer brand. It's all due to growing consumer demand for better fuel-efficiency, says GM chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner.

"While some of the actions, especially the capacity reductions, are very difficult, they are necessary to adjust to changing market and economic conditions and to keep GM's US turnaround on track and moving forward," said Wagoner. (Source: Green Car Congress, June 3, 2008)

Contact: GM, www.gm.com.

Are wheel motors the next great leap for EVs? (M&A)

ZAP has purchased an ownership interest in an electric motor company to develop and manufacture a new line of wheel motors for a range of EVs, which could include scooters, bikes and cars. The press release is thin on details, but the two companies will develop an optimum process for manufacturing electric wheel motors and controllers which ZAP believes are more important to the EV industry than the current emphasis on battery technology. (Source: Market Wire, June 3, 2008).

Contact: Alex Campbell, Director, Communications, ZAP, (707) 525-8658, ext 241, acampbell@zapworld.com, www.zapworld.com.