A Northwest Ohio start-up company is nearly ready to create 2,000 green auto industry jobs!
By Laura Rice NBC 24
Friday, June 26, 2009 at 9:38 a.m.
Received 312,000 orders in first month
WAUSEON -- A Northwest Ohio start-up company says it has generated enough business in their first month of operation that they could create two thousand jobs.
NBC24 was the first to bring you the story of Doug Pelmear and his HP2g engine that gets more than 110 miles per gallon.
On June 1st Pelmear started up production of his engine with just ten people on staff.
But already, he says, the company has received more than 300 thousand engine orders from four companies.
Link to NBC, see complete story with Video http://www.toledoonthemove.com/community/video.aspx?id=317870
|
Inventor’s 100-mpg engine to power production cars
Source: Toledo Free Press
Published June 14, 2009
Inventor and entrepreneur Douglas Pelmear is taking giant leaps toward an HP2g engine powering a 100 mile per gallon (mpg) production car.
Pelmear recently opened the new engine production facility for his company, Horse Power Sales.Net in Wauseon, before a crowd of nearly 400 automotive industry and media representatives.
His V8 engine has reached a 110 mpg in road tests and will power the new Verde four-door sedan to be produced by Revenge Designs, a specialty automotive company in Decatur, IN.
That company plans to introduce the Verde concept vehicles at the L.A. International Auto Show this December, according to its president and CEO Peter Collorafi. He said the production sedan and a sports car model could be available for sale by June 2010.
Since the announcement, Pelmear said he was contacted by five other car companies about the quantities in the range of 20,000 engines that would put him in year four of his five-year business plan for his company.
“I have letters of intent from several automakers and am currently in negotiations with them,” Pelmear said.
The Hp2g engine uses alternative energy powered by E-85 ethanol fuel with clean emissions technology. The engine also passed emission standards.
“We passed everything on the EPA,” said Pelmear, referring to the HP2g engine being tested at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency lab in Cleveland on May 29.
The engine in Pelmear’s 1987 Ford Mustang passed all tests for fuel emissions, according to the Ohio E-Check vehicle inspection report issued. The car surpassed all EPA standards without catalytic convertor, Pelmear said.
The inventor declined to discuss the engine’s technology with patents pending in the United States. The company is preparing to apply for international patents as well.
“I need to protect myself properly,” said Pelmear, who is working with Susan Cornfield, an Ann Arbor attorney who specializes in intellectual property law.
Collorafi and Pelmear have developed a plan that they say will “revolutionize the automotive industry” Revenge Designs and HP2g are making real-time advances in fuel-efficiency and offering the world a practical alternative-energy solution, according to them.
“Common ordinary people have good ideas, but it takes a lot of people to bring them to fruition,” Pelmear said. “The true inventor is here to make a difference. I do believe in America and what it stands for. It’s not just about me, but the bigger people.”
Revenge Designs will become the exclusive source for Certified Installation Centers in the United States for selling HP2g engines to aftermarket purchasers.
Collorafi said he plans to open 150 centers in the United States to install the HP2g engine in existing vehicles. The company is already negotiating with a number of auto-mechanic shops about becoming certified installation centers, he said.
The state of Ohio is working with Revenge Designs to bring the testing and production of the Verde cars to a proposed 170-acre site on state Route 30 in Van Wert.
“It’s only one proposal and possibility. It’s not official yet as previously reported,” Collorafi said about the Van Wert site. “We have not chosen a site yet, but expect to make an official announcement on the site shortly.”
Collorafi said they are having discussions about funding and incentives for possible sites in Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
Pelmear said he has done it all with his own funds without any bank or investors involved, and understands he will need capital investment to reach year four in year one.
Pelmear is working with the Rocket Ventures staff at the Regional Growth Partnership (RGP) in Toledo on the development of his business.
“Rocket Ventures is designed to help entrepreneurs like Doug by providing them with the best experienced advice and management support we can,” said Todd Davies, business development manager for advanced sciences at RGP.
“He’s a free thinker who put it together when the bureaucracy of large corporations doesn’t allow it,” Davies said.
“I’m very unconventional,” Pelmear said. “Thinking outside the box is what it is all about. People accept unconventional now because conventional methods have not worked.”
In another development, Pelmear officially withdrew his team and the 1987 Mustang powered by the HP2g V8 engine from the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition on June 4. He said it was no longer in the company’s best interests to compete in the cross- country race.
After Team HP2g had been accepted as a letter of intent contender, X PRIZE reduced the prize amount for the mainstream class of the competition from $7.5million to $5 million. The race date was moved from the summer of 2009 to the summer of 2010, which no longer fit into Pelmear’s business plan.
We as a nation need this now. I need to move into production,” Pelmear said about dropping out of the X PRIZE competition. “We can have cars for sale before the race ever takes place.”
By Duane Ramsey
Toledo Free Press Senior Business Writer
dramsey@toledofreepress.com
|
Plant opens for super engine
 |
| State Sen. Steve Buehrer (left) was on hand Monday to congratulate Doug Pelmear (middle), president and CEO of Horsepowerales.net and HP2g, as well as Peter Collorafi (right), president and CEO of Revenge Designs. Pelmear and Collorafi have entered into a contract to house Pelmear’s HP2g engine in Revenge’s automobiles. (Photo by BRENNA GRITEMAN) |
By BRENNA GRITEMAN
NWS Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, June 2, 2009
WAUSEON - In partnering with an Indiana-based auto company and opening his first engine facility, one local man’s 10-year dream may be fueling vehicles in the northwest Ohio region and beyond as early as mid-2010.
Doug Pelmear, president and CEO of Horsepowersales.net, Inc. and HP2g, LLC, both of Napoleon, unveiled his first manufacturing facility at 115 W. Linfoot St. in Wauseon Monday. He plans to initially hire 25 individuals to build his V8 engines, which run exclusively on E85 fuel and achieve the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon, before possibly phasing in 25 additional workers about three months from now.
Over the next three to five years, Pelmear expects expansions to result in the creation of as many as 2,000 support jobs.
Pelmear earned regional fame last fall when he departed on a 4,000-mile round trip venture from Napoleon to the SEMA auto show in Las Vegas. He drove his HP2g vehicle, a 1987 Ford Mustang, and said he earned an average of 109.8 miles per gallon along the way. Pelmear gained greater fame at the Detroit Auto Show, where he signed a deal to house his engines
“We’re happy to be in the joint venture with Doug Pelmear,” said Revenge President and CEO Peter Collorafi.
“He’s got a car, I got an engine,” Pelmear said of Collorafi. “You know an engine is only good if you have a car to put it in.”
Revenge has proposed an approximately 170-acre production site for its Verde Super Car along U.S. Route 30 in Van Wert. If approved, Revenge would hire an initial 150 employees to begin production in early 2010. Collorafi expects about 100 vehicles to be manufactured in the first year, adding, “We’ll ramp up from there.” He suggested an additional 50 individuals would be hired for engine installation.
The Verde is expected to cost between $50,000 and $60,000 and would be available the middle of next year. This will be the first automobile to be produced with Pelmear’s technology, and Collorafi noted “every vehicle is hand-built” with American parts.
During Monday’s celebration, Wauseon Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel thanked Pelmear for showing faith in the Wauseon community, adding, “Now it’s up to us to prove to him that Wauseon is the right place to be.”
Pelmear noted although he has currently settled in Wauseon, he will be hiring from all surrounding counties and will also need to open a parts division.
“This is just a start,” he said of the Fulton County site.
“This is about people. It’s not just about one person becoming rich,” Pelmear continued. “It takes community, it takes people intertwined ... so this is about other people too.”
The complete story can be read at http://northwestsignal.net/articles/2009/06/03/news/doc4a252bc83d222774800941.prt
|
Wauseon plant to open Monday for 110-mpg car engines
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
Article published May 30, 2009
The Toldeo Blade
WAUSEON - The man who drove his 20-year-old Mustang from Napoleon, Ohio, to Las Vegas and back last year on 39 gallons of fuel will open his first manufacturing facility Monday to allow others to get 110 miles per gallon.
Doug Pelmear, owner of Horse Power Sales.net Inc. and Hp2G LLC, will hold an open house Monday morning in the idle 100,000-square-foot factory he has leased in Wauseon to begin manufacturing his revolutionary engine.
The factory, on the Fulton Industries Inc. campus in Wauseon, will be tooled to initially turn out 20 of Mr. Pelmear's custom engines per day with one shift of 25 workers.
A Decatur, Ind., specialty car company, Revenge Designs Inc., has contracted with Mr. Pelmear to purchase 2,000 engines for use in a new vehicle it plans to unveil at the end of this year at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The vehicle is to be called the Revenge Verde Super Car, which will use Mr. Pelmear's 400-horsepower engine and its 500 foot-pounds of torque to travel up to 200 mph and get 110 mpg - though admittedly not at the same time.
"The engine is going to be a really great partnership with the car," explained Emily Levault, a spokesman for Revenge Design. "The idea behind this was to give people what they want while putting people back in their jobs."
Ms. Levault said the Verde will be introduced as both a left and right-hand drive, so that it can be marketed around the world.
Complete story can be read at http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090530/BUSINESS03/905300338
Contact Larry P. Vellequette at:
lvellequette@theblade.com
or 419-724-6091.
|
|
Fulton County scores plant for building custom engine
By DAVID J. COEHRS
Expositor Features Editor
Published: May 28,2009
A revolutionary engine poised to change the face of the automotive industry will be manufactured in Wauseon, with production beginning as soon as the fourth quarter of 2009.
However, creator Doug Pelmear won't guarantee that Fulton County will remain the home base.
Built exclusively for E85-fueled cars, the custom engine will be produced in an approximately 68,000 square-foot, $450,000 facility next to Fulton Industries at 135 Linfoot St. Phases One and Two will eventually create up to 55 jobs.
Pelmear selected the Fulton County site over potential locations in Williams County because it doesn't require major construction.
"Where we were looking at every place, we were going to have to build," he said.. "The facility already fits in the criteria. I can just turn the light switch on and go to work."
The V-8, 400-horsepower engine gets over 100 miles per gallon on E85, an ethanol-based fuel. It is the only engine in the nation being manufactured solely for E85 fuel. Pelmear expects 500 to be produced by the end of this year.
The Wauseon facility will be used for both manufacturing and research and development. Some personnel have already been pre-qualified for positions.
You can read the complete story at http://www.ourtownsnews.com/ful/100-mph-engine-Pt--2
|
|
Local Automotive Company To Produce 100 MPG Car
By Scott Sarvay
Story Published: Apr 29, 2009
DECATUR, Ind. (Indiana's NewsCenter) - Would you like a car that goes more than 100-miles per gallon of fuel, has the exotic sports car look, lots of horsepower, lots of torque and can go 0 –60 in a short amount of time?
A local Decatur man has a plan and is receiving support from the federal government.
His car has all those amenities like 400 horsepower and 500 pounds of torque, yet it gets 110 miles to the gallon. Well it's true and it will be on the streets before 2009.
Revenge Designs is a specialty automotive company and based right here in Indiana
Peter Collorafi and Douglas Pelmear have come up with a plan that they say will revolutionize the automotive industry.
Imagine a V-8 engine producing 400 horsepower, 500 foot lbs of torque, running on E-85 fuel, and an all American made V-8 engine.
The specifics are ......
the complete story can be seen at http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/43982017.html
|
Local engine maker signs deal
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 10:26 AM EDT
By Brian Koeller, Northwest Signal Editor
(Printed April 22, 2009 Northwest Signal )
Douglas Pelmear, president and CEO of HP2G LLC has signed an agreement with Peter Collorafi, president and CEO of Revenge Designs Inc., a specialty car designer and production assembler, to make an engine Pelmear has designed.
“The first ever 110 MPG production vehicle in the history of the automotive industry will become a reality, all made in the USA,” Pelmear said.
The HP2g engine powering the Verde Super Car by Revenge Designs is an alternative energy, clean emissions technology, powered by E-85 fuel, achieving 110 MPG.
“Revenge Designs and HP2g are very excited to be making real-time advances in fuel-efficiency and offering the world a practical alternative energy solution without compromising the consumer’s needs,” Pelmear said.
Revenge Designs’ Verde Super Car is currently in production stages. It is anticipated to be released at the L.A. International Auto Show in December. Revenge intends to display two versions of the Verde; one left-hand and one right-hand drive with the purpose of releasing the vehicles to the world market.
Also, Revenge will become the sole and exclusive certified installation center in the United States for HP2g engines to aftermarket purchasers. Satellite installation centers will be established throughout the country.
Both companies agree the true win is seeing fuel-efficient production vehicles driving down the roads while helping reduce the reliance on oil and putting Americans back to work.
On the Net:
www.hp2g.com
www.revengedesignsinc.com.
E-mail comments to briank@northwestsignal.net
|
Revolutionary engine may be manufactured in county By DAVID J. COEHRS Article published :April 16,2008
Fulton County Expositor Features Editor
NAPOLEON - Doug Pelmear is on the fast track to manufacture his revolutionary invention, an innovative engine that gets over 100 miles to a gallon of ethanol-based fuel. In what could translate to big news locally, Pelmear has placed Fulton C
The owner of Horse Power Sales.net Inc. in Napoleon, Pelmear said mass production of his engine through his company, HP2g.com, will become a reality by 2010. Phase One of his business could be in operation by this summer. The manufacturing plant will eventually generate up to 45 jobs. Up to 25 may be available as soon as July. The county is one of He is currently working with area economic officials to determine what local and state incentives are available. Details
Wauseon Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel is enthusiastic about the possibility. "It would be just a great shot in the arm for Wauseon," he said. "I think it's a great opportunity for us to partner with a start-up business." The V-8, 400 horsepower engine has garnered so much attention nationwide that other locations have begun beating a path to his door. "(Michigan g
He has also caught the attention of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, area state representatives, the vice president of General Motors and Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. "It will be made by Americans in America with American pa
Small area businesses willing to build the engine parts include TJ Automation, Inc. in Archbold and Fulton Industries, Inc. in Wauseon. And a specialty market car manufacturer is interested overseeing the first two years of production. Sometime next year, Pelmear will run his Mustang from New York to California in the mainstream category of the Progressiv
There are currently 117 teams participating in the X Prize. The purse is $7.5 million for the mainstream winner and $2.5 million for the winner in an alternative category. In the event Pelmear wins his category he would use the winnings as seed money to finance his engine plant. Plan B includes an application for $40 million in start-up stimulus money. A drag racer, Pelmear started developing his engine about 10 years ago with trucks and SUVs in mind. Through changes and refinements it now boasts 110 miles per gallon of E85, a fuel with an ethanol-gasoline ratio of 85/15. "A lot of people say it's perfected already, but I think there's more to be done yet. I'm still tweaking it," Pelmear said. The engine has turned heads at new car shows in Detroit and Washington. D.C. It won the Green Zone Award at the Special Equipment Manufacturers Association Following a third party test in February, an original equipment manufacturer expressed interest in licensing the engine. Pelmear has also received offers to sell the technology but turned them down. "A true inventor wants to see everybody use their product, wants to make a change," he said. "Doing something that no one else has done. Isn't that the idea?" Mark Schnitkey, HP2g.com vice president of business development, said Pelmear's talent lies in his unconventional thinking. "Doug does not limit himself to what other people say," Schnitkey said. "Doug pushes the envelope. 'It can't be done' is not in his vocabulary." Even as he contemplates the potential financial windfall his invention could reap, Pelmear said it was not crafted with riches in mind.
" I am true American. I believe in what America stands for," he said. "Our true driving force is to change America"
This story can be read at http://www.ourtownsnews.com/FUL/100-mpg-engine
America."
|
Local engine maker seeks area manufacturing sites
By BRENNA GRITEMAN
NWS Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 10:28 AM EDT
One local entrepreneur is currently scouting sites in Henry County and the surrounding area for buildings to manufacture engines and a diesel product.
Doug Pelmear, president of Horse Power Sales in Napoleon, said he is currently working with economic directors, mayors and other officials from Henry, Fulton, Defiance and Williams counties, “looking for the best sites” to manufacture his HP2g engine.
“I’m looking at building in our local area here for leasing,” Pelmear said Monday. “I do want to stay here in northwest Ohio.”
Henry County Commissioner Rich Myers said Pelmear has looked at “multiple sites” in Henry County. Pelmear would not specify how many sites he is looking to lease, but did say he would also need service and parts divisions, adding, “It’s not just an engine manufacture.”
“It would be nice to have it here because you get the tax base that goes with it,” Myers said, adding Pelmear is currently in the process of finalizing his patents.
Pelmear is also working with the state to develop employee incentives. He has applied for federal stimulus funding to manufacture clean diesel, and has also held recent talks with Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office in support of the project.
“This is more than one person can tackle,” he said.
Myers also noted there may be funding options from a variety of entities - not just the federal stimulus package.
“I can assure you people from Columbus to Washington know what’s going on,” he said. “I appreciate anyone who has the entrepreneurship who can make a car in America made by Americans.”
In October, Pelmear unveiled his HP2g vehicle in downtown Napoleon, where he was formally congratulated by Gov. Ted Strickland. Pelmear maintains the engine - built with the help of his crew at Horse Power Sales in Napoleon - runs on E-85 fuel and is capable of achieving up to 110 miles per gallon. The engine is housed in a 1987 Ford Mustang and has been featured at the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) convention in Las Vegas, as well as the North American Auto Show in Detroit.
Pelmear said he hopes to be on his way to manufacturing in mid-May. Once a site is settled on, the first hiring phase would employ 25 individuals. The second hiring phase would likely add another 25 workers.
Pelmear noted no matter where the facility is located, it will have a positive effect on the area economy.
“It’s good for all of northwest Ohio,” he said.
E-mail comments to brennag@northwestsignal.net.
|
Revving up the efficient engine business
story from: NBC 24 TOLEDO OHIO
Local inventor prepared to add jobs to community
By Laura Rice
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 1:50 a.m.
NAPOLEON -- Efficient auto engine inventor Doug Pelmear is ready to take his motor to the production line.
He wants to start his business in Northwest Ohio as soon as May.
"A true win is to see Americans back to work, see my products driving down the road," said Palmear.
He wants to start making the HP2g not in Detroit or Chicago but near his hometown of Napoleon.
"This is a great place to start," said Palmear. "I've grown up here, I went to school here and there's a lot of people that need jobs here."
That is one big reason area leaders are joining Pelmear in his business effort. Unemployment in counties like Henry is high.
"Last month it was 14.9% and the month before that it was 15," said Henry County Commissioner Rich Myers.
Though many of those people lost their jobs in the auto industry, the officials do not think they will turn down this new opportunity.
"I think that once the people understand and see what the potential is of it that it'll turn things around and make America strong in the auto industry again," said Myers.
Myers and others are working to get incentives and stimulus money to jump-start Palmear's company, no matter which county it ends up in.
"I think this is something that benefits all of us and I think we can all work together to make this happen in Northwest Ohio. And no matter where it lands it's going to benefit all of us," said Wauseon Mayor Jerry Dehnbostel.
Pelmear says his company will start in this area but he expects it to grow and change.
"Even Honda started as an engine company," he said.
This week, a big new development: pending patents for his Decel invention, the first of its kind, that will make diesel engines more efficient.
It is all happening right here in Northwest Ohio.
Complete story can be seen at : http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/story.aspx?id=285598
|
Napoleon inventor's 85-mpg ethanol car may miss $5M race
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
THE TOLEDO BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
NAPOLEON - The northwest Ohio inventor who drove his 1989 Ford Mustang to Las Vegas and back on 39 gallons of fuel last year may not be included in a high-profile cross-country race next year to showcase advances in fuel efficiency.
The Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize yesterday released what it said was its official list of 111 teams that will compete in a cross-country race during the summer of 2010 for vehicles that can exceed 100 miles per gallon or equivalent fuel economy.
Not on the list: Horsepower Sales Inc. of Napoleon and its owner, Doug Pelmear, who had been spotlighted by the X-Prize Foundation and whose ethanol-powered engine won the top Green Zone Award at last year's Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas.
"He was not accepted into the competition because he didn't get materials in on time," Automotive X-Prize spokesman Carrie Fox said yesterday.
"He was given multiple opportunities to get registration materials in before Feb. 28, and he did not get materials in on time."
The contest, sponsored by the X Prize Foundation, is to focus attention on and improve technology for fuel economy. Private teams compete in two categories - mainstream and concept - and compete against one another in a segmented race that will judge performance, fuel economy, and marketability.
But Mr. Pelmear maintains that he did register on time, hasn't gotten back his $10,000 registration fee, and still wants to participate.
He said he's been in a dispute with the X-Prize after the organization changed the prize amount in its mainstream category from $7.5 million to $5 million and twice delayed the start of the race, which is now scheduled to take place in the summer of 2010 instead of this summer, as originally planned.
Mr. Pelmear said his engine can produce up to 400 horsepower and can get the equivalent of more than 100 mpg.
Because the vehicle operates with ethanol-based E-85 Flex Fuel instead of gasoline, its actual
mileage is closer to 85 mpg.
He uses more precise tolerances and manufacturing techniques to decrease heat and energy loss and increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. He said he has more than quadrupled the industry average of about 8 percent efficiency.
He has applied for more than three dozen patents, a number of which have been placed into "pending" status
The complete article can be seen http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20090408&Category=BUSINESS07&ArtNo=904080333&SectionCat=&Template=printart
|
Jim Cramer
Co-Founder of The Street .com
Horse Power Sales.net, "HP2g " . All-electric is all the rage here in Motor City, but other approaches to saving fuel do not get the chops they deserve. Take Napoleon, Ohio-based Horsepower Sales.net Inc. This company showed its HP2g vehicle at the show. And no self-respecting car nut would do less than swoon over this auto. President Doug Pelmears says his vehicle can get 110 miles per gallon running on E85, an ethanol-based fuel made mostly of corn in nearby fields. And what a car. The HP2g is built around a good, old-fashioned all-American V-8 that pumps out -- get ready for it -- 400 horsepower, or about 50 hp less than a 2007 Porches 997 Turbo. That's a lot. And this alcohol-breathing monster lays down a simply terrific 500 foot pounds of torque -- or about 100 less than a souped-up Corvette ZR1, which, again, is really a lot. Said another way, this is a muscle car that gets 10 times the gas mileage of any competitor. It's ridiculous, but in a good way. The larger message here in Detroit was, if these two tiny companies can do so much with so little, why can't the rest of the auto industry be this innovative?
The Street .com Jan 20-09
|
Car connoisseurs enjoy razzle dazzle in Detroit
Article published January 18, 2009
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
While a number of foreign automakers don't have a presence at this year's North American International Auto Show, there is one large new feature in the basement: an indoor track where show-goers can ride in one of more than a dozen electric-drive or hybrid cars and trucks.
In the basement of Cobo Center at the show is a display from one northwest Ohio company - Napoleon-based Horse Power Sales.net Inc. - that is trying to leapfrog existing gas-saving technology and is drawing a lot of industry attention in the process.
Company President Doug Pelmear has gotten personal visits to his booth in the basement from a number of foreign and domestic auto executives, as well as Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Robert Corker (R., Tenn.), all of them interested in his 1987 Ford Mustang and its custom-built engine that gets the equivalent of 110 mpg.
"I've become very popular," Mr. Pelmear quipped yesterday as a number of public show-goers looked over his outwardly unassuming car. His 110-mpg engine won a "Green" award last fall at the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association expo in Las Vegas.
Contact Larry P. Vellequette at:
lvellequette@theblade.com
or 419-724-6091
Complete article can be read at this link http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090118/BUSINESS02/901180367
|
By Rob Packard ( NBC 24 . COM )
Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 3:14 p.m.
Doug Pelmear returned to Napoleon Thursday from a critical cross-country road test. The inventor says he succeeded in averaging more than 100 miles per gallon. His gas bill to Vegas and and back was $87 dollars.
"That includes the mountains, going through the desert," said Pelmear.
Pelmear is testing his engine with a goal to win the $10-million dollar Progressive Automotive X Prize. The high stakes race aims to find an affordable car that gets at least 100 mpg.
"We're looking at this engine going into the SUV and truck market, where it needs it the most."
Pelmear says he managed to top 100 mpg, and still push the pedal. His top speed was 90 miles per hour. Pelmear plans to make more improvements to his new engine. He has support from Rocket Ventures. The Northwest Ohio Organization helps get cutting edge technology into the marketplace. He would like to see it built within the next year and a half.
To see the video follow this link http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/video.aspx?id=221785
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
100mpg car owner has his eye on the prize ( NBC 24 . COM ) Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 2:10 p.m.
A local man is taking his fuel-efficient invention on a road trip.
Doug Pelmear says his 1987 Mustang gets 80 miles per gallon and 400 horsepower. Now, he is taking his invention on a 4,000-mile round trip to Las Vegas in hopes of winning the Progressive Automotive X prize.
The $10 million prize is given out in a 'race' to find an affordable, marketable automobile that gets at least the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon of gas.
Pelmear leaves for the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas Wednesday. His team will track the car's gas mileage. Pelmear hopes his invention will soon make it to a production line.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland has said Pelmear's invention could change the nation and the world. He says it is time to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
The complete story can be seen at http://www.toledoonthemove.com/news/video.aspx?id=214185
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Gov. Strickland attends send-off for HP2g car
Jared Orzolek of the Cresent News
October 30, 2008
NAPOLEON -- Gov. Ted Strickland stopped in Napoleon on Wednesday as he toured through northwest Ohio, visiting a send-off gathering for a Napoleon man who says he has developed an engine that gets the equivalent of 110 miles per gallon of gasoline.
The event was held outside the Henry County Courthouse for Douglas Pelmear, who is driving his 1987 Ford Mustang on a 4,000-mile trip to Las Vegas and back.
Pelmear is driving the car, which he says puts out 400 horsepower and runs on the ethanol fuel known as E85, to Las Vegas for the 2008 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show.
"It was Ohio and Ohioans who invented the airplane," Strickland said. "Ohio is a place where creative people live and work. Can you imagine the effect such a creation will have on America and the world?"
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, 75th District Rep. Lynn Wachtmann, 1st District Sen. Steve Buehrer and others also attended the event, and close to 50 individuals braved the cold to watch Pelmear drive away in his vehicle.
The Napoleon inventor has dubbed his vehicle the HP2g and cites years of working on engines with his late father in developing the car.
"With HP2g, I have developed a revolutionary alternative energy solution that will reduce our reliance on foreign oil and keep our environment clean," Pelmear said.
Because E85 has different characteristics than gasoline, the actual mileage per gallon for the vehicle is close to 85 miles per gallon.
The complete story can be read at http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/4456202
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
TOLEDO BLADE NEWS
Article published Tuesday, October 28, 2008
X Prize competitor from area ready to give his car real-world mileage test
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
NAPOLEON - Doug Pelmear will jump into his Mustang tomorrow morning with a buddy and head for Vegas, but this is no ordinary 4,000-mile road trip by two middle-aged guys in a 21-year-old pony car.
Mr. Pelmear's trek is all about the engine under the hood, an invitation to show it off at a prestigious automotive expo, and a "dry run" for next year's $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize race.
"There's no way to really put a good test to a car unless you go out and prove it," said Mr. Pelmear, president of Horse Power Sales.net Inc. and the man behind the company's entry in next year's cross-country fuel-economy race.
Mr. Pelmear says his "real world" engine can deliver power and torque levels equivalent to today's high-performance engines but with fuel economy nearly double that of a Toyota Prius gasoline-electric hybrid.
The Progressive Automotive X Prize is sponsored by the X Prize Foundation to focus attention on and improve technology for fuel economy.
Private teams compete in two categories - mainstream and concept - and compete against one another in a segmented race that will judge performance, fuel economy, and mar-ketability.
"Most of the cars that are entered [in the X Prize race] are electric-type cars," Mr. Pelmear said. "They can't do a 2,000-mile jaunt [because of range limitations]. This car can outdrive my ability to drive it."
Mr. Pelmear said his engine can produce up to 400 horsepower and can get the equivalent of 100 mpg. Because the vehicle operates with ethanol-based "E-85 Flex Fuel" instead of gasoline, its actual mileage is closer to 85 mpg.
Tomorrow's trip to Las Vegas - Mr. Pelmear said he figures it will take about 40 hours to drive there, with breaks - is primarily because of an invitation he received from the Specialty Equipment Market Association.
The association holds its annual show, which features cutting-edge automotive technology from around the world, next week in Las Vegas, and invited Mr. Pelmear to display his modified 1987 Mustang.
"It's a big honor, especially to a car guy like me," Mr. Pelmear said. "I'm just your typical inventor. I'm a guy that had a dream and wants to see it to reality. I want to see it go down the road and have an impact on people's lives."
Mr. Pelmear is guarded about the secrets of his engine - he has applied for more than three dozen patents - but not so much his methodology.
The complete story can be read at http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081028/BUSINESS02/810280317
|
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RACE PAGES - Oct ,2008
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aug 4,2008 National Examiner
|
Napoleon man's low-profile auto aims for $10 million mileage prize
By LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
NAPOLEON, Ohio - Doug Pelmear has lots of secrets beneath the hood of his black 1987 Ford Mustang on which the only outward hint of individuality is a series of stickers.
But looks can be deceiving. Mr. Pelmear's 21-year-old pony car has enough technological innovation to quadruple the classic Mustang's original gas mileage while almost doubling its available horsepower.
That's 80 miles per gallon and 400 horsepower, folks. And the electronics engineer and master mechanic is not done yet.
The third-generation automotive tinkerer hopes that next year his Mustang - more specifically its engine - will help him win the $10 million Progressive Automotive X PRIZE: a "race" to find an affordable, marketable automobile that gets at least 100 miles per gallon, or its equivalent.
"I'm an optimist, and I think people need to know there is hope out there," Mr. Pelmear said. "That's why I decided to enter the X Prize race. I could have sold this [technology] off, but then people might not have seen it.
"It's not about the money. Our country really needs this."
To read this this article in full we direct our readers to this link:
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/BUSINESS02/807010341
" A summary with the link should attribute the content to toledoblade.com."
Larry P. Vellequette at:
lvellequette@theblade.com
or 419-724-6091.
Article published Tuesday, July 1, 2008
|
Napoleon business owner aims for 100 mpg prize
June 13, 2008
By HEATHER BAUGHMAN, Cresent-News Editor
(Printed June 13, 2008 Cresent-News)
baughman@crescent-news.com
It's a race to the finish line that will be won by a vehicle that achieves the energy equivalent of at least 100 miles per gallon.
Napoleon Horse Power Sales owner Doug Pelmear has accepted the challenge and will put his years of work to the test this weekend when he will demonstrate his car during the fifth annual Aeromotive NMRA Ford Nationals today through Sunday at Milan Dragway in Milan, Mich.
This weekend's event will be a test-run for Pelmear, who is one of 78 worldwide contestants to date to enter the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, an automotive race that will take place next year. The goal of the competition, according to X PRIZE, "is to inspire a new generation of super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change," benefit the world, result in real cars available for purchase, not concept cars, offer a level playing field that attracts both existing automobile manufacturers and newcomers and educate the public on key issues.
A total of $10 million in prizes will be awarded to the winner(s) who achieve, among other criteria, a fuel economy of at least 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent), and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle production must be no worse than typical vehicles in production today.
The Pelmear family has been working on improving automotive engines for decades, a challenge first tackled by Pelmear's grandfather back in the 1940s. "I'm not really using that design," Pelmear said, "but (this project has been) an ongoing thing with the family." Even Pelmear's dad was involved in the project, with all three generations recognizing "a need for a higher efficiency motor."
So far, Pelmear has sunk at least $1.4 million into patents alone for the vehicle, an investment that is worth it to him.
"Everybody looks at 100 mpg as impossible. It's not. It's possible," he said.
This weekend, Pelmear will be demonstrating his car at Milan Dragway "not for the X PRIZE," he said, "but to show everybody that the technology is out there" to run a car that achieves 100 MPGe.
"I'm doing my own testing," he said, noting that he has performed simulation testing on the car. "The track is where you test real world."
Those at the track can see Pelmear's car in action. "I wanted the general public to see it," to show the public that "there's a new concept."
Pelmear's car seats four people, weighs 2,850 pounds and has about a 300-cubic-inch engine.
Though it is currently housed in a Mustang, his engine was designed for larger automobiles. Pelmear said he understands that Americans "need that truck, SUV for our lifestyle."
On his quest to build a more fuel-efficient engine, Pelmear worked with Ford engineers who were testing his engine. Unfortunately, company cutbacks caused his engine testing to come to a stop.
"Everybody that was testing my engine retired" when the company started making cutbacks, Pelmear said. "That happened more than once," he said, which was quite disappointing. "It was like we're going to get somewhere with this ... and then it disappears."
Shortly after Ford stopped testing his engine, Pelmear heard about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE on the "Today Show" and decided to check it out. "It is a testing type of race. It's not just me proving it and showing I can do it."
Late this year, a panel of expert judges will review applications and select teams to race their vehicles in the AXP Qualifying Race. Teams that successfully complete the qualifying race can then apply for the grand prize final race, which will be held in late 2009.
Two categories of vehicles, mainstream and alternative, will be judged. Pelmear's mainstream car will need to reach 0-60 miles per hour in less than 12 seconds, have a minimum top speed of 100 mph, drive a minimum of 200 miles, have room for four or more passengers, have 10 cubic feet of useful cargo space, and have everyday vehicle features such as heat, air conditioning, an audio system, an enclosed cabin, windshield wipers, safety belts, rear and side view mirrors, displays for speed, fuel remaining, etc., and exterior lights.
Assisting Pelmear with his goal are sponsors CIG Financial Services, Archbold; Southern Nevada Wholesale Sign Co., Las Vegas; Howards Cams, Oshkosh, Wis.; Americraft Carton Inc., Norwalk; Performance Ford Solutions, Anaheim, Calif.; JEGS High Performance Mail Order, Delaware; SolidWorks, Concord, Mass.; Fulton Industries Inc., Wauseon; and Rocket Ventures, Toledo.
His HP2g team also includes Mark Schnitkey of Defiance in business development; Jen Rodgers of Van Wert, who does marketing; Marcus Dull of Holgate, who does CAD and programming; Kevin Wilson of Wauseon, who helps with production; and Pelmear, who is the design engineer, along with "quite a few helpers."
On the Net:
|
Fuel efficiency goal of contest
By Brian Koeller, Northwest Signal Editor
(Printed April 22, 2008 Northwest Signal)
A small Napoleon company is competing against teams of designers from around the world for a chance at one of the biggest prizes ever offered, as well as helping the environment.
Horse Power Sales has officially entered the Progressive Auto X Prize, a contest sponsored by Progressive Auto Insurance and the X Foundation which offers $10 million in prizes to teams that design a new generation of viable, super fuel efficient vehicles. The goal is to design, build and bring to market a vehicle that can travel the energy equivalent of 100 miles per gallon (mpge). As of March 20 (2008), 60 international teams had entered the contest, and Monday Horse Power Sales also entered.
"This really goes back to my father and grandfather," said Horse Power owner Doug Pelmear. "They designed an engine in the 1940's, but their engine wouldn't work with the technology of the time so it got passed to me."
Pelmear already has designed the Valley Girdle, which he said reduces fuel consumption by 5 percent. That has been just one piece in developing the current engine his company is working on now. He was working on the engine before the contest was announced as a way to help the planet and consumers.
"With the rising costs of fuel, I'm looking at it and saying we need this now," Pelmear said.
His prototype will be on display June 14 at Milan Dragway in Milan, Mich. He said he has tested the vehicle in the wind tunnels, but the test at Milan will be its first real-world test. Pelmear also pointed out his vehicle isn't something that will only allow one person to get from place to place.
"We're not looking at a one or two-person vehicle, but something that carries four people with some creature comforts," Pelmear said. "Our vehicle is the heaviest in the competition right now, it weighs 2,600 pounds."
He added the next heaviest is about 1,500 pounds.
The fuel he selected to run his vehicle is also practical.
"The fuel I chose is E-85 (an ethanol blend) because it's available on the market now," Pelmear said. "It is a resource that has grown."
Pelmear said he has sunk about $1.4 million into the project so far and added patents can be very expensive. Also, the parts are custom made just for this engine and the price of metal and shipping are adding more and more to the cost. Still, Pelmear has made sure all parts are made in the United States, sticking to a promise he made to supporters. "I know I could go outside the United States to get parts made cheaper, but I want to keep it here and hopefully it will help the economy," Pelmear said.
The local project has received sponsorship from CIG Financial Services of Archbold and Jegs High Performance Mail Order of Columbus according to Pelmear. His team is comprised of himself, Jen Rodgers of Van Wert, Mark Schnitkey of Defiance and Kevin Wilson of Wauseon.
The X Foundation previously awarded $10 million to Burt Rutan, who built and flew the world's first private vehicle to space. The foundation is creating prize competitions in five areas, exploration, life sciences, energy and environment, education and global development.
Deadline to enter the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize is mid 2008. Applicants will then undergo a thorough qualification process to assess safety, cost, features and business plans to ensure that only production-capable, consumer-friendly cars compete. Those that qualify will race their vehicles in rigorous cross-country stage races in 2009 and 2010 that combine speed, distance, urban driving and overall performance. The winners will be vehicles that exceed 100 mpge, meet strict emission standards and finish in the fastest time. Host cities involved in the competition route will be announced in the future.
E-mail comments to briank@northwestsignal.net
On the Net:
|
|
