Public Test Drives The AFS Trinity XH-150

fficials from the State of California as well as interested members of the public were given the opportunity to test-drive the AFS Trinity XH-150 Extreme Hybrid vehicle in Sacramento on Wednesday. The XH-150 gas-electric plug-in hybrid, which was introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in January, has a mileage rating of 150 MPG, and could provide most American commuters with an all-electric drive.

The XH-150 has a top speed of 87 mph and delivers 40 miles of all-electric drive on an overnight charge. This is comparable to the all-electric goals that GM has established for the Chevy Volt. The XH-150 is of special interest in California because it also offers zero emissions while in all-electric mode.

The vehicle sidesteps the issue of rechargeable batteries by using ultra-capacitors to handle acceleration. By relieving the batteries of the task of powering up the vehicle, the ultra-capacitors provide added battery life, better efficiency and safety. The XH-150 relies on software to manage energy consumption, storage and distribution.

According to Edward Furia, CEO of AFS Trinity, the average driver would burn less than two gallons of gasoline per week while driving the XH-150. The XH-150 made headlines during its cross-country trip to Washington, DC to participate in Earth Day activities in the capital. AFS Trinity developed the vehicle in conjunction with Ricardo, an engineering and transportation consultancy. AFS Trinity is in discussions with automakers who are interested in licensing the AFS Trinity technology.

Source and Photo Credit: AFS Trinity