UQM’s power sends e-car on record run

Going long Down Under.

An electric car powered by Longmont-based UQM Technologies’ propulsion system set an unofficial world distance record for an all-electric car of 1,172 miles within a 24-hour period.

Australia-based EV Engineering’s all-electric Holden Commodore passenger car traveled back and forth between Port Melbourne and Geelong, Australia.

Eric Ridenour, president and chief executive of UQM, couldn’t be more pleased.

“We congratulate EV Engineering on this achievement and their efforts to demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of electric vehicles,” he said. “Achievements such as these further validate the efficiency of our PowerPhase Select electric propulsion systems.”

EV Engineering’s project converted a fleet of Holden Commodore passenger cars to proof-of-concept electric vehicles to demonstrate the technical viability and attractiveness of a full-size electric car. If successful, technologies used in the project could be considered for possible future mass production.

“While our achievement is not an official record, it’s a sound validation of our car’s capabilities,” EV Engineering CEO Ian McCleave said, “It’s a great feeling to see the electric car our team designed and developed in Australia beat the world EV distance record.”

A tip of the bicycle helmet to Celestial Seasonings.

About 750 riders raised more than $330,000 in support of local and national cancer organizations when they rode in the second annual Celestial Seasonings B Strong Ride cycling event on Saturday, Aug. 11.

The fundraiser exceeded the total raised in the inaugural B Strong event in 2011 by more than $60,000.

The event was held at title sponsor and event host Celestial Seasonings’ headquarters in Boulder.

“I cannot begin to express my gratitude to everyone involved in making this event such a success,” said Peter Burns, president of Celestial Seasonings and chief sales officer of the parent company, Melville, New York-based Hain Celestial Group Inc. (Nasdaq: HAIN). “As a company, we are committed to helping people live healthier lives, and our continued partnership with the B Strong Ride allows us to make an immediate and positive impact on the lives of so many courageous cancer survivors.”

Proceeds support the George Karl Foundation, the new inpatient cancer wing at Boulder Community Hospital and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. In 2011, the B Strong Ride’s first year, the event won honors as the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s top national fundraising partnered event.

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