SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass, May 16, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Sevcon, Inc. SEV +0.67% , a global manufacturer of drivetrain controls for electric and hybrid vehicles, today announced its selection by Brammo, Inc., a global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, to supply Gen4 motor controllers for Brammo's Empulse and Empulse R 100% electric motorcycles, which were launched on May 8, 2012.
The 100-mph Empulse R features Brammo's unique Integrated Electric Transmission (IET(TM)), which consists of a specially designed electric motor, clutch and six-speed manual transmission. The IET gets its digital brainpower from Sevcon's Gen4 motor controllers, which enable the motor, clutch and transmission to work together to replicate the acceleration, driving dynamics and overall performance of a motorcycle powered by an internal combustion engine.
"Brammo's decision to make our Gen4 controllers integral to its latest breakthrough in motorcycle drivetrain technology marks the addition of yet another respected partner to our expanding portfolio of global OEM relationships," said Sevcon President and CEO Matt Boyle. "Our growth strategy is focused on increasing our penetration of the on-road EV market to supplement our longstanding business in the off-road industrial EV sector. Based on our recent shipment trends, two-wheel vehicles -- ranging in size from scooters to motorcycles -- are selling faster than any other type of EV worldwide, and we see the Empulse as a significant opportunity to further increase Sevcon's production volume in the months ahead."
Craig Bramscher, CEO and President of Brammo, Inc., added, "Sevcon is integral to our product development process and a valuable long term business partner. We are very pleased with the performance of the Sevcon Gen4 controller."
A product of Sevcon's 60 years of EV drivetrain technology development, the Gen4 is a microprocessor-based device that regulates power delivery from the Empulse's lithium-ion battery to the motor, controlling acceleration, speed and regenerative braking while optimizing energy consumption. The sportbike-styled Empulse has an average range of up to 100 miles on a single battery charge.
