AC Propulsion Expands Electric Drive Manufacturing in China

As part of a broader global expansion, AC Propulsion announced it has decided to expand its production capacity and upgrade manufacturing processes with a new facility in Beijing. The move doubles the company's activities in the country, where it now builds electric drive systems at its manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

The new facility will produce electric drive systems for a range of automobile companies and vehicle converters selling in China and globally.

The company has received funding from the Beijing government as part of a nationwide program to promote the production and use of hybrid and electric cars in China over the next decade. China is committing more than $15 billion to this initiative.

“Our order book is overflowing, so we’re expanding to meet future demand,” said AC Propulsion CEO Tom Gage. “We are gratified to be participating in the vast growth of the Chinese electric vehicle market and expect to have the first AC Propulsion-powered vehicles on the road in China in 2011.”

According to the company, a marketing team has already been hired for its new Beijing facility. Much of the plant’s manufacturing equipment will be produced and shipped from the company’s U.S. headquarters in San Dimas, California. Production and other employees will be hired over the next several months. Further expansion in Beijing is planned.

AC Propulsion’s proprietary tzero technology for electric vehicles can be customized for every class of electric vehicle, from a sports car to an SUV to an 8-ton city bus. AC Propulsion is also involved in the development of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) capable vehicles, as well as the research and development of V2G technology.