Sanyo Electric Company is showing two electric vehicles at Japan's largest environmental exhibition, "Eco-Products 2009," in Tokyo which is organized by Japan Environmental Management Association and Industry Association, Nihon Keizai Shimbun.
The truck is able to run up to a 130km after 16 hours of direct solar charging, or may be charged directly with AC power in half the time.
Sanyo products have received International CES Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards. The Sanyo “Synergetic Hybrid Bicycle”, CY-SPA600NA, model of the eneloop bike, a pedal-assist electric hybrid, was honored as Best of Innovations having received the highest overall score in the Eco-Design and Sustainable Technology category. The high-definition waterproof Dual Camera Xacti, VPC-WH1, was selected as an honoree in the Digital Imaging category.
Sanyo, as a “Leading Company for Energy and Environment” has created a number of products that are designed with the intent of promoting sustainable technology, based on its brand vision “Think GAIA”. The eneloop bike embodies Sanyo’s strengths, combining both its rechargeable battery and battery systems’ technologies with its concept of preserving and promoting a sustainable environment, whether at work or leisure.
The eneloop bike “Synergetic Hybrid Bicycle” model is a part of the Sanyo ‘eneloop universe’, a series of products that are based on the concept of reusing resources such as “energy” by “looping” it in a sustainable cycle. The concept was first shown as Sanyo announced the ‘eneloop’ rechargeable battery in 2005 and has grown to include a number of award-winning products.
Now in its 33rd year, the CES Innovations Awards gives consumer technology manufacturers and developers an opportunity to have their newest products judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and journalists.
The Sanyo eneloop bike is a 26-inch, three-speed regenerative, pedal-assist hybrid electric bicycle. As such, riders can propel the eneloop bike under their own power or can engage the bike’s motor and electrical system to pedal in one of three assist modes – standard, power-up or auto – where the front hub-based motor helps the bicycle and rider travel forward.
It employs a unique Torque-sensing Power Management Controller within the regenerative electrical system. The bicycle automatically adjusts to differences in terrain uphill/downhill slopes, applying the perfect amount of assisted power when needed and engaging the regenerative properties of the “energy looping” (ene+loop) eneloop “Loop Charging” system when coasting or braking. As a result, eneloop bike owners can ride further and longer than traditional pedal-assist systems.
Panasonic recently received regulatory approval of it's $4.6 billion plan to purchase Sanyo Electric, which is a leading battery maker. Panasonic's president of the battery division Naoto Noguchi said, "Panasonic Corp. is in discussions with some 10 automakers to supply lithium-ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicle."
Discussions with vehicle manufacturers include companies from India, Europe, Japan, and the U.S. Panasonic plans to invest $1.4 billion to triple their lithium-ion battery output by late 2011 and believes that the hybrid electric and all electric vehicle battery market will grow to five times its current size by 2018.
Noguchi warned of possible battery shortages, saying "If demand continues to grow, we have concerns that production capacity might be insufficient, an increase in Japanese electric cars could make supply an issue by as early as 2012."
Panasonic has received approval from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission allowing the deal with Sanyo to proceed. The company received full antitrust clearance in 11 countries. The deal between Panasonic and Sanyo could make Panasonic the largest battery producer in the world.
