Maxwell Technologies Introduces New Ultracapacitor-Based Engine Start Module for Trucks
Maxwell Technologies, Inc. announced that it has entered into a one-year agreement with Pana-Pacific, a preferred integrator and engineering partner in the commercial vehicle market, to distribute Maxwell’s new ultracapacitor-based Engine Start Module (ESM) in the United States, Canada and Mexico. As a result of the agreement, the ESM is now available through all original equipment manufacturer (OEM) after-market truck dealerships, including Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack Trucks, Peterbilt, Volvo and Western Star Trucks.
"Pana-Pacific has a long history and great reputation as an integrator in the commercial vehicle market and we’re very pleased to be working with them to make our new Engine Start Module widely available to owner operators and fleets," said Van Andrews, Maxwell’s senior vice president, sales and marketing. "Through the agreement, buyers are now able to walk into any heavy-duty truck dealership in the U.S., Canada or Mexico and get the Engine Start Module right off the shelf or order it."
Maxwell developed the ESM incorporating its patented ultracapacitor technology in consultation with heavy truck manufacturers and fleet operators to avoid vehicle starting problems in cold weather or when batteries are drained by repetitive starting or climate control and other driver comfort functions. The ESM is designed for light, medium and heavy duty applications in Class 4 to 8 trucks.
"The new Engine Start Module is a very promising and benefit packed product that’s brand new to the commercial vehicle industry," said John Trenberth, president of Pana-Pacific. "Pana-Pacific is very excited about our new distribution agreement with Maxwell Technologies because we’re known for bringing valuable new technologies like the Engine Start Module to the industry."
Unlike batteries, which produce and store energy by means of a chemical reaction, Maxwell’s ultracapacitor products store energy in an electric field. This electrostatic energy storage mechanism enables ultracapacitors to charge and discharge in as little as fractions of a second, perform normally over a broad temperature range (-40 to +65°C), operate reliably through one million or more charge/discharge cycles and resist shock, vibration and overcharging.
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