Automaker Velozzi announced on Nov. 12 that it is expanding its alternative energy vehicle (AEV) development project to include composites manufacturer Camoplast (Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada), a designer, developer and manufacturer of specialized components, sub-systems and assemblies for OEMs of on- and off-road vehicles. The collaboration will support Velozzi’s race to develop and mass produce high-performance vehicles capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon.

Camoplast and Bayer MaterialScience LLC (Pittsburgh, Pa., USA) are exploring applications for lift gates and other large structural parts to help the Velozzi AEVs meet aggressive performance goals. They will focus on molding components from Bayer MaterialScience polyurethane resin and fiberglass reinforcements, using Camoplast’s proprietary Long Fiber (CLF) technology. CLF is a major innovation that makes it possible to produce large parts using the long fiber injection (LFI) process in which long glass fibers are injected along with polyurethane resin in a one-step process. Camoplast will collaborate on design through production to ensure the manufacturability of the components for mass production.

Camoplast and Bayer MaterialScience have already successfully collaborated in the development of higher-performing, safer personal watercraft. “When it comes to breakthrough performance, collaboration is the best route,” said Robert Burkhart, vice president sales & marketing and business development, Camoplast. “What excited us about joining the Velozzi project is the opportunity to reinvent approaches to automotive parts design and production, knowing the critical role that innovative materials play in AEV development and commercialization.”

“Our collaborations with Camoplast to date have overcome a range of design and performance challenges,” said Craig Snyder, market channel representative, Bayer MaterialScience LLC. “We are excited to welcome Camoplast to the Velozzi project as we work to drive innovation in the development of a new generation of super-efficient vehicles. We know firsthand that Camoplast has the tenacity, creativity and expertise to collaborate effectively and drive innovation.”

Velozzi is designing multiple lightweight, plug-in, multi-fuel hybrid electric vehicles that will use a number of materials and application technologies from Bayer MaterialScience.