Press Release
For Immediate Release
* * *
7 January 2002 - Main board listed GP Batteries International Limited ("GP Batteries") has entered into a contract to supply Nickel Metal Hydride ("NiMH") batteries for the Advanced Public Transport ("APT") project in Netherlands. The prototype of this APT hybrid system was officially launched in Eindhoven, the Netherlands in the beginning of January 2002.
APT features the hybrid vehicle "Phileas" which offers ultra low emission, speed, flexibility, comfort, reliability, safety and environmental friendliness. There are two versions: the 18-metre double articulated with a capacity of 120 passengers and the 24-metre triple articulated with a capacity of 180 passengers. The 18-metre long hybrid APT runs on a set of batteries comprising 48 modules of 12-volt 80 Ah NiMH batteries. GP Batteries is to provide a total of twelve sets of batteries; the first two sets have already been delivered while the remaining ten sets are scheduled to deliver from early 2002 over a period of about twelve months.
Phileas is equipped with an electronic guidance system and follows a pre-set route via magnetic markers on the road surface. All the wheels, except the front wheels, of the Phileas are driven by electric motors. The electrical energy is generated by an efficient and environmentally friendly LPG engine. In addition, the batteries installed in the vehicle enable it to run solely on electric power in the town center, thus operating as an emission-free vehicle. Due to the hybrid drive, lightweight construction and regenerative braking, Phileas' energy consumption is about 25 per cent lower than conventional means of transport.
Phileas offers the flexibility of transport by bus with the reliability of transport by rail or underground. It will be of particular interest to medium and large cities, where transport by bus is too limited and that by rail is not economically viable.
"We congratulate the Dutch government on the launch of this new and innovative means of public transportation and feel honored to participate in this project," said Mr Andrew Ng, Chairman and Chief Executive of GP Batteries. "We believe the increasing global acceptance of electric transportation will present tremendous opportunities for our group," he continued.
Various types of batteries had been tested by TNO, the authoritative independent R&D organization in Europe, for use in APT and GP Batteries' NiMH batteries were chosen on its technical merits.
For enquiries, please contact:
- Ms Tan Peck Hwa of Asia Business Channels Pte Ltd, H/P: 9635 4996
- Mr KL Tsang of GP Batteries International Limited, Tel: 862 2088
Background Information on GP Batteries
GP Batteries International Limited ("GP Batteries") is principally engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of batteries and battery related products.
GP Batteries has been listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited since March 1991 and is currently a component stock of the BT Singapore Regional Index.
GP Batteries' major production facilities are located in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Denmark and Poland, supported by marketing and trading offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Sweden, Poland, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. The Group currently employs over 7,000 people and occupies a total floor area of over 154,000 square metres.
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