ALCOA AFL AUTOMOTIVE AND MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO DEVELOP COLD START SYSTEM

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ALCOA AFL AUTOMOTIVE AND MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO DEVELOP COLD START SYSTEM
24 February 2007 - Alcoa

Alcoa AFL Automotive and Maxwell Technologies announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of a cold start system for the commercial transportation market. The companies will incorporate Maxwell's BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitors with AFL's power management system to develop an efficient engine starting system.

Alcoa AFL Automotive and Maxwell Technologies sign memorandum of understanding to develop cold start system

"This phase will focus on the meshing of Alcoa's and Maxwell's technologies to produce the cold start system, with a goal of producing a system ready for testing and evaluation by truck OEMs by the end of the first quarter 2007," said Allen Zwierzchowski, President, Worldwide Components AFL Automotive.

"AFL and Maxwell have been interacting technically for some time, and we have identified cold starting for commercial trucks as a significant market opportunity that the companies have agreed to address through a formal collaboration," said. Dr. Richard Balanson, Maxwell's president and chief executive officer.

"AFL is a highly respected Tier 1 supplier to the automotive and commercial vehicle industries. Their electronic systems design expertise, manufacturing resources and strong worldwide contacts with auto and truck OEMs complement Maxwell's capabilities as a leading provider of energy storage and power delivery solutions," Balanson continued.

Helps save fuel and emissions; reduces costs to fleet owners
Increasing environmental regulations preclude the ability of operators to allow their trucks to run all night. More than 20 states have enacted or are proposing regulations that prohibit running diesel truck engines overnight to power so-called "hotel loads" - heating, cooling, entertainment and other driver comfort feature. Running those loads on battery power all night can leave the batteries with insufficient power to start the vehicle in the morning, especially in cold weather. "With the AFL-Maxwell cold starting system, the ultracapacitor pack would provide what amounts to an on-board jump-start capability," Zwierzchowski explained.

"In addition, fleet owners incur significant costs due to vehicle downtime and jump-starting stranded trucks. Incorporating ultracapacitors to relieve batteries of demanding short-duration, high-current loads, such as cold starting, will improve overall system performance and reliability, extend battery life, and reduce battery maintenance and replacement costs," Zwierzchowski said.

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About: Alcoa
Alcoa is a leading producer of primary aluminium, fabricated aluminium and alumina and is active in all major aspects of the industry. It serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production, and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses as a single solution to customers. The company has 120 000 employees in 41 countries.

In addition to aluminium products and components, Alcoa also makes and markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap, Alcoa wheels, and Baco household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, fastening systems, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks.

Alcoa makes a very sustainable product: almost 70% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use, equalling 480 million tonnes of a total 690 million tonnes manufactured since 1886.

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