New, Maryland-Made Hybrid/Electric Car Design Tested "Live" at the University of Maryland Wind Tunnel

WHAT: The G2, a new plug-in electric hybrid automobile designed by Rockville, Md.-based Genovation Cars Inc., will be tested at the University of Maryland's Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel. Designed to be one of the most aerodynamic cars on the market, the G2 will be tested under varying wind and weight conditions to simulate real driving.

The wind tunnel's large turbine will blow high-speed wind over a G2 model while sensors measure the resulting forces and performance of the vehicle. Smoke may be used to visualize airflow.

The G2 is Genovation Cars' flagship road vehicle, designed from the ground up to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of plug-in electric hybrid technology while maintaining a stylish and affordable design. The G2 was designed in collaboration with industry leaders and has passed key development milestones.

The G2 is made from environmentally friendly components and is designed for low-cost, low-volume, hand assembly from day one. Genovation estimates this hand assembly will create 125 jobs in Maryland in the first year alone.

The $135,100 project to test the aerodynamics of the G2 was made possible by a product development grant from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program.

WHO: Andrew Saul, founder and CEO of Genovation Cars, and Steven Rogers, co-founder, president and CTO of Genovation Cars, and Jewel Barlow, director of the university's Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, will be available. Genovation technicians and university researchers will conduct the airflow tests.

WHEN:  Thursday, January 26, 2012
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHERE: Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park
Directions: GLMWT