The best electric vehicle drive system can be made today, with your help.
Hello everyone! My name is Charles E. Hughey, and I am the owner of Energy Recovery Systems LLC in Granger, Indiana. We are in the prototype phase of commercializing my granted US Patent number 7201095, “Vehicle System to Recapture Kinetic Energy”. Known as the ERS Drive, this invention is a hybrid drive system combining existing electric vehicle technology and intelligent hydraulics to create the world’s first zero emission electric hydraulic hybrid. Using its unique functionality, ERS can outperform all other electric vehicles, at a greatly reduced cost.
The ERS Drive achieves the perfect balance between energy density and power density by creating dual regenerative braking. Captured vehicle deceleration energy is stored in two different systems; a hydraulic accumulator and an electric battery. Recovered hydraulic power is reused to launch the vehicle, and recovered and stored electrical energy is used to drive the vehicle.
Electric hybrids and regenerative braking are known and understood. Recently developed hydraulic hybrids are similar in that they use hydraulic accumulators to store energy instead of a battery. Hydraulic energy storage is more efficient at recovering braking energy, cost less and the parts last a long time. ERS combines the attributes of electric and hydraulic systems to reduce the complexity and cost and increase the performance, range and efficiency of electric vehicles.
A dual regenerative braking and power system significant reduces the load placed on each system, thereby lowering overall power and energy needs of each part. ERS uses inexpensive hydraulic components to do the work of many expensive batteries. This reduces the number and size of the batteries required for a desired range, resulting in a less expensive, simpler and safer electric vehicle drive system. We should be able to go twice as far on half the batteries.
We invested our life savings and have had funding from friends and family. This paid for the patent, the feasibility and due diligence studies, first level computer modeling, system design, component selection, and a very in depth marketing study. We know where we are going and we're ready to build a functioning prototype of the ERS Drive.
We have a team on stand-by, ready to help create a company where ERS Drive systems will be initially marketed to school bus and other fleet operators. This is an excellent market entry point, as schools desperately need a solution to their costly and unhealthy transportation problems. A school busses limited range and repetitive stop/start driving cycles are perfect for the ERS Drive’s operational modalities...its sweet spot.
The business model is not to replace vehicles, but to replace the fossil fueled drive system with an affordable, zero emission, electric hydraulic hybrid retrofit kit. ERS Drive will be less expensive than a battery only electric conversion, provide more power and range, cost less to purchase and operate, and it charges faster (fewer batteries to charge). The same kit can retrofit hundreds of thousands of other vehicles in the class 3 and 4 truck markets, with low cost, a rapid ROI and long term energy and O&M savings.
The ERS Drive has the very real potential of becoming the technology to have in the automotive and transportation industries. First came the gas/diesel electric hybrids, now there are gas/diesel hydraulic hybrids which are better than electric hybrids, and now the next logical step is an electric hydraulic hybrid. The ERS Drive will be more efficient at recycling energy than any other drive train, anywhere, because no other drive train has a patented dual regenerative braking and power system.
We are turning to Crowd Funding as venture capital has dried up, and honestly, most venture people want a huge percent of this invention. ERS is disruptive technology, and has many applications ranging from motorcycle type bikes to cars and trucks, FEDEX, UPS and USPS delivery vehicles; semi’s and trailers to elevators, material handling and energy storage systems for commercial and utility use. The application list is very long, and we have many supportive patents pending.
But I am sure the people will get it, and they will help, even with many small contributions. I am actually a true American story of a person of meager beginnings who invents something big and spends years working toward the goal of making it a reality. But this invention is different. It is so big that I can’t explain it all here. But I am writing a book that details it all. My family says what I have written so far is inspiring and moving. Ha, who knew I could write a book, too.
We have bare bones and smart resourcing funding requirements of 110,000 dollars, which provides a fully functional operational prototype with system performance and efficiency results validated from a certified dyno facility. Once the ERS Drive is validated, we will hold a press conference and host a dinner and demonstration for the contributors. Once people see what this simple machine can do, I am sure I will have no problem finding additional capital resources to begin operations as an ERS Drive assembly center in Elkhart, Indiana, home of the RV industry. Experienced automotive industry workforce, strong local supply chain, in place distribution infrastructure and committed community support makes Elkhart an obvious choice to start.
I am a regular guy with a much needed invention, who is trying to bring this to market. I have invested 20 years of my life, thousands of hours of self education, all of my money and I have endured great personal hardship to get this far. I have the vision and drive to make this in America, and I want to create jobs...real jobs.
I would be very grateful if you can find the means to contribute any amount to our project.
Please share this with friends and co-workers. Little contributions add up, and I know we all can agree someone has to try and stand up and make a difference. I am trying to be that person.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Charles Hughey and the ERS team.