Saab, Boston Power and others are now part of a coalition is deliver high performance electric vehicles.  Other reports expect Saab's imminent sale by GM, leaving them free to pursue new product developments.  Boston Power has been seeking a foothold in the exploding electric and hybrid electric vehicle market, and is betting the farm on Saab.

[Source: Saab]

Press Release:

December 15, 2009

New Coalition Debuts to Deliver High Performance Electric Vehicles

A Swedish industry-first electric automobile coalition has been established to fuel the advancement of zero-emission, high performance vehicles.

Funded by $86 million SEK (approximately $12 million U.S.) from a Swedish Energy Agency grant announced on December 10, 2009, the coalition includes companies from the automotive manufacturing, battery and electric power train sectors. Initial demonstration models of the vehicle -- named the ZE Saab 9-3 (ZE for zero emissions) – are already receiving positive reviews. The group plans to build more than 100 additional cars in 2010.  

Participating organizations are:

• Saab Automobile AB (automotive engineering and manufacturing)
• Boston-Power, Inc. (lithium-ion batteries)
• Electroengine in Sweden AB (electric power trains)
• Innovatum (project management)
• Power Circle (Sweden’s electric power industry trade organization)

The electrification of transportation represents one of the most significant shifts since the invention of the automobile.  The collation brings together internationally recognized experts, products and technologies to foster this transition.