Ricardo Announces its Contributions to Successful Plug-in Conversion of Hybrid Utility Truck

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VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., April 24 -- Ricardo, Inc., a leading independent provider of technology, product innovation and engineering solutions to the world's clean energy, automotive, military and transport industries today announced the details of its involvement in a project to further advance technologies utilized in a plug-in hybrid utility truck.

The project created by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and working closely with Eaton Corporation, was unveiled on March 19 to President Barack Obama during his visit to the Electric Vehicle Technical Center of Southern California Edison. Ricardo's involvement in the first phase of the project included the controls system support to Eaton for the integration of a high energy battery pack into a Ford F-550 chassis, and the modification of the control system to allow electric power take off operation. The battery system was designed to supplement engine power and also provide power to operate the utility truck boom. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain is expected to deliver up to 70% in fuel economy and emissions reduction.

The plug-in hybrid truck is the first of five "boom and bucket" trucks that will be provided by Eaton, EPRI and Ford to public and private utility fleets in the United States for use and evaluation. In addition to fuel and emissions savings while the truck is on the road, additional energy savings are available by utilizing the electric side of the system to power the ancillary systems and tools when the truck is stopped at a work site.

"We see this as a great opportunity to bring electric power into the commercial vehicle industry and utilize it both for improving fuel economy while driving, and for meeting power demands while stationary," said Karina Morley, Global Product Group Director for Controls and Electronics. "This project exemplifies Ricardo's ongoing commitment to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions."

Ricardo has successfully completed over 100 hybrid projects that span hybrid configurations from micro hybrid to full hybrid and plug-in hybrids, in the commercial, military and automotive domains.

About Ricardo

Ricardo, the Eco-Innovation Technology Company, is a leading independent provider of technology, product innovation, engineering solutions and strategic consulting to the world's automotive, military, transport and new energy industries. The company's skill base represents the state-of-the-art in low emissions and fuel-efficient powertrain technology, and can be best summarized: "Ricardo is Fuel Economy."

Ricardo offers TVFE(TM), its Total Vehicle Fuel Economy engineering service, to transportation manufacturers worldwide to provide objective evaluation of all available technologies to identify the most cost-effective strategies to optimize fuel economy and CO2 goals. For more information on TVFE, please visit www.totalvehiclefueleconomy.com.

With technical centers and offices throughout Europe, the U.S. and Asia, Ricardo provides engineering expertise ranging from vehicle systems integration, controls & electronics, hardware and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Ricardo's customers include the world's major automakers and suppliers as well as manufacturers in the military, commercial, off-highway and clean energy sectors. The company also serves in advisory roles to governmental and independent agencies. Ricardo's U.S. operation, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Michigan. Ricardo plc posted sales of $394 million in financial year 2008 and is a constituent of the FTSE TechMark 100 index - a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.