Apollo Energy Systems

Apollo Energy Systems is an American alternative-energy technology company whose history is closely associated with electric transportation and experimental energy systems. The business was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1966 by Robert R. Aronson as the Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation, commonly abbreviated EFP. It subsequently used the name Electric Auto Corporation before adopting Apollo Energy Systems in 2001. The company’s early work centered on electric propulsion using proprietary tri-polar lead-cobalt batteries, a lead-acid technology developed for comparatively rapid charging and extended vehicle operation. Its first major demonstrator, the Mars I, was built in 1966 on a Renault Dauphine platform. A road test in Louisiana reported a useful range of approximately 120 miles and a maximum speed of 52 mph. The result helped establish EFP as an electric-vehicle engineering and demonstration business and contributed to its relocation to the Detroit area, where vehicle manufacturing and automotive engineering resources were concentrated. EFP subsequently built the Mars II, an electric sedan based on the Renault R-10. Forty-five examples were produced during 1967 and 1968, primarily for American utility companies. The model was used in a series of highly publicized demonstrations, including a Detroit-to-Washington journey, a roughly 2,000-mile Detroit-to-Phoenix trip, and deliveries to Wisconsin Power and Light and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. These programs were intended to show that battery-electric vehicles could serve practical urban and utility applications and to encourage government and industry support for research and development. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded its activities into electric vans, passenger-car conversions, hybrid concepts, battery systems, charging infrastructure, and fuel-cell-related designs. Its vehicles included the Mars Van, Electric Eel, EFP Hornet, Electrosport, X-144, Santa Fe, Thunderbolt, Transformer I, electric limousines, and the Silver Volt. Many were low-volume prototypes or demonstration vehicles rather than mass-market products. EFP also supplied or proposed vehicles for utility companies, the United States Postal Service, Avis Rent a Car, and other institutional users. The company participated in prominent electric-vehicle demonstrations. In 1967 it sponsored the Great Transcontinental Electric Car Race and organized charging support for the competing teams. In 1969 it worked with Holiday Inns to establish an electric-car route between Detroit and Chicago, with charging locations along Interstate 94. EFP vehicles also competed in the Clean Air Car Race, a cross-country event from Boston to Pasadena, where an EFP Hornet won the pure-electric division and a Mars Van finished second among the completed pure-electric entries. Apollo Energy Systems’ later identity broadened beyond vehicle conversions. The company has been described as developing, producing, and marketing fuel-cell power plants, electric propulsion systems, and alternative-energy generation equipment. Its public history, however, remains particularly associated with experimental electric automobiles and the technical challenge of storing and rapidly delivering energy for transportation. The available reference material does not establish a current product portfolio, ownership structure, executive team, financial condition, or operating status, so those fields are left unconfirmed.

Apollo Energy Systems traces its origins to 1966, when Robert R. Aronson established the Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation in New Orleans. The company was created around the idea that electric propulsion could provide a cleaner alternative to internal-combustion transportation. Its early engineering program focused on tri-polar lead-cobalt batteries and electric drive systems suitable for road vehicles. The first notable vehicle was the Mars I, a Renault Dauphine converted to electric power. Built and tested in 1966, it used a 96-volt battery system. A road test conducted on August 15, 1966, between New Orleans and Empire, Louisiana, reported a useful range of 120.3 miles, a top speed of 52 mph, and acceleration from zero to 40 mph in ten seconds. Only one Mars I was produced. The demonstration encouraged the company to move to the Detroit area, where it could work closer to the American automobile industry. The Mars II followed on a Renault R-10 platform. Forty-five examples were produced in Ferndale, Michigan, in 1967 and 1968. The cars used 120-volt tri-polar lead-cobalt batteries, a 15-horsepower direct-current motor, and a four-speed manual transmission. Company material described fast charging to approximately 80 percent capacity in 45 minutes and a single-charge range of up to 146 miles. Utility companies became important customers and demonstration partners. The first Mars II was delivered to Wisconsin Power and Light in September 1967, while another was delivered to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power later that year. EFP used long-distance demonstrations to promote electric vehicles and test charging logistics. Aronson drove a Mars II from Detroit to Washington, D.C., in March 1967, using a planned network of utility-company charging stops. Another car traveled from Detroit to Phoenix in September and October of that year, covering roughly 2,000 miles through nine states. The company also organized charging support for the Great Transcontinental Electric Car Race in August 1967, supplying proprietary motors to the Caltech and MIT teams and batteries to the eventual Caltech winner. In 1969, EFP worked with Holiday Inns to create what it presented as an electric-car expressway between Detroit and Chicago. Charging points were installed along a 300-mile section of Interstate 94. The company continued to use public demonstrations, including a 1970 drive by radio personality Arthur Godfrey and further long-distance Mars II tests. EFP also produced electric delivery vans based on Swedish Daf vehicles. The Mars Van program included a contract proposal involving four vehicles for the United States Post Office. A related Daf conversion, called the Electric Eel, was promoted as a compact electric vehicle. The company’s vehicle portfolio expanded during the 1970s through conversions of American Motors vehicles. From 1970 to 1976, EFP produced a small number of Hornet, Electrosport, X-144, Santa Fe, and hatchback vehicles. These prototypes used the company’s battery technology and were reported in company literature to have top speeds between roughly 60 and 85 mph, with ranges varying according to vehicle and test conditions. The Electrosport received a public unveiling through Abercrombie & Fitch in Palm Beach in 1972. The Santa Fe was associated with a proposed Avis rental-car pilot project in Chicago. EFP also promoted larger and more ambitious vehicles. The Thunderbolt was announced as a planned electric car for the mid-1970s, but only two were ultimately built according to the reference material. The Transformer I, a modified Chevrolet Chevelle, was presented in 1975 as a full-size luxury electric car. Six vehicles formed its initial production run, and the model was later shown at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. EFP additionally produced two electric limousines in 1978 and developed a mobile gasoline-engine power unit that could recharge vehicle batteries during longer trips. The Silver Volt represented a later attempt to combine battery propulsion with a range-extending gasoline-powered rotary engine. Two pure-electric versions and twelve hybrid versions were produced, with manufacturing plans moving from Puerto Rico to Freeport, Grand Bahama. Company literature described changing performance and pricing expectations as development progressed. The vehicle illustrates the company’s continuing interest in combining electric drive with auxiliary energy generation when battery range was insufficient for long-distance use. The business later operated under the name Electric Auto Corporation and changed its name to Apollo Energy Systems in 2001. In its Apollo period, the company was described as working on fuel-cell power plants, electric propulsion systems, and alternative-energy generation equipment. The available references do not provide reliable information about later ownership, public listing, current products, management, revenues, or whether the company remains active. Those matters therefore remain unconfirmed.

• 2001

  Renamed Apollo Energy Systems

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  The company adopted the Apollo Energy Systems name after operating as Electric Auto Corporation.

• 1975

  Transformer I presented

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  EFP unveiled its full-size electric luxury-car concept based on a modified Chevrolet Chevelle.

• 1970

  EFP wins pure-electric Clean Air Car Race division

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  The EFP Hornet won the pure-electric category in the cross-country Boston-to-Pasadena race.

• 1969

  Detroit–Chicago electric-car expressway created

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  EFP and Holiday Inns established a charging corridor along Interstate 94.

• 1967

  Mars II enters low-volume production

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  EFP produced 45 Renault R-10-based electric sedans, primarily for utility-company customers.

• 1967

  Great Transcontinental Electric Car Race support

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  EFP coordinated charging locations and provided propulsion components for both major competing teams.

• 1966

  Company founded as Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Robert R. Aronson established the business in New Orleans, Louisiana, to develop electric propulsion and alternative-energy systems.

• 1966

  Mars I tested in Louisiana

  [1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  The Renault Dauphine-based Mars I demonstrated a reported range of 120.3 miles and a maximum speed of 52 mph.

Alternative-energy engineering focused on electric transportation, advanced battery propulsion, fuel-cell power generation, and practical demonstrations of low-emission mobility.

• Battery-electric car · 1966

  Mars I

  A one-off electric conversion of a Renault Dauphine developed in 1966. It used a 96-volt tri-polar lead-cobalt battery system and was tested on public roads in Louisiana. The reported road-test results demonstrated the company’s early focus on practical range and urban electric mobility.

• Battery-electric sedan · 1967

  Mars II

  A Renault R-10-based electric sedan produced in a run of 45 vehicles during 1967 and 1968. It was marketed mainly to utility companies and used in several long-distance demonstrations. Its reported specifications included a 120-volt battery system, a 15-horsepower DC motor, and a claimed range of up to 146 miles.

• Electric delivery van · 1969

  Mars Van

  An electric delivery van based on the Swedish Daf Kalmar. EFP produced twelve during 1969 and 1970. Company literature described a top speed of 45 mph and a range of approximately 75 miles, and the United States Postal Service was associated with a proposed order for four vehicles.

• Battery-electric car · 1969

  Electric Eel

  An electric conversion based on the Daf 44. Company literature described a maximum speed of 60 mph and a range of about 50 miles at 50 mph. It formed part of EFP’s effort to adapt European compact vehicles to electric propulsion.

• Battery-electric passenger car · 1970

  EFP Hornet

  An electric conversion of the American Motors Hornet. One version used approximately 1,500 pounds of tri-polar lead-cobalt batteries, a 144-volt system, and a 20-horsepower motor. An EFP Hornet won the pure-electric division of the Clean Air Car Race.

• Battery-electric station wagon · 1971

  Electrosport

  A one-off electric AMC Hornet station-wagon conversion unveiled by Abercrombie & Fitch in Palm Beach in 1972. EFP promoted a claimed top speed of 79 mph and a range of 101 miles at 30 mph, although these figures were company claims rather than independently verified results in the supplied material.

• Battery-electric compact car · 1972

  X-144

  Three AMC Gremlin-based electric vehicles produced in 1972 and 1973. The name referred to the 144-volt battery pack. EFP described a 70-mph top speed, a 70-mile range at 50 mph, and an onboard charger intended for overnight charging.

• Battery-electric sedan · 1974

  Santa Fe

  A single electric vehicle based on an AMC Matador, produced in 1974. It was linked to a proposed Avis rental-car pilot in Chicago. EFP reported a top speed of 70 mph and a cruising range of approximately 60 miles at 50 mph.

• Battery-electric car · 1975

  Thunderbolt

  A full-size electric vehicle announced for the mid-1970s and promoted for possible fleet use with fast-charging stations. Despite claims of substantial prospective orders, the supplied reference states that only two Thunderbolts were built in 1975.

• Electric luxury car · 1975

  Transformer I

  A two-door electric luxury vehicle based on a modified Chevrolet Chevelle. Its initial production run comprised six vehicles. EFP described a 180-volt battery, a cruising range of 75 miles at 55 mph, and an 80-mph top speed. The vehicle was publicly presented in 1975 and later exhibited in Los Angeles.

• Electric and hybrid vehicle · 1980

  Silver Volt

  A later vehicle developed in pure-electric and hybrid forms on a GM-type A-vehicle platform. Two pure-electric examples and twelve hybrid examples were produced according to the supplied material. The hybrid configuration combined battery propulsion with a gasoline-powered rotary-engine auxiliary power unit intended to extend driving range.

• Fuel-cell energy equipment

  Fuel-cell power plants

  Fuel-cell power generation was part of the company’s stated Apollo Energy Systems-era business scope. The supplied reference identifies development, production, and marketing of fuel-cell power plants but does not provide dependable model names, launch dates, technical specifications, or current availability.

• 1970Clean Air Car Race

  United States

  EFP entered the pure-electric division of the 3,600-mile Boston-to-Pasadena Clean Air Car Race. Its Hornet and Mars Van were the two pure-electric vehicles identified as completing the route.

  Outcome. The EFP Hornet won the pure-electric division and the Mars Van finished second.

  Source
• 1969Detroit–Chicago electric-car expressway

  United States

  EFP and Holiday Inns created a 300-mile electric-vehicle route on Interstate 94, with charging locations in Michigan, Indiana, and Chicago. The project was designed to test vehicles and fast charging under ordinary travel conditions.

  Outcome. It provided an early demonstration of corridor-based charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

  Source
• 1967Great Transcontinental Electric Car Race

  United States

  EFP sponsored and supported the cross-country electric-car race by coordinating 53 charging points at approximately 30 electric utilities. It supplied proprietary motors to both the Caltech and MIT teams and provided tri-polar lead-cobalt batteries to the winning Caltech entry.

  Outcome. The event increased public visibility for EFP’s propulsion and battery technology.

  Source

• 2001

  Adoption of the Apollo Energy Systems nameStrategy

  Background

  The business had previously operated under the Electric Fuel Propulsion and Electric Auto Corporation names.

  Action taken

  The company changed its name to Apollo Energy Systems, reflecting a broader alternative-energy identity beyond vehicle conversions.

  Aftermath

  The company was subsequently described as working on fuel-cell power plants, electric propulsion, and alternative-energy generation equipment.

  Source

• 2001

  Company adopts the Apollo Energy Systems name[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The business changed its name from Electric Auto Corporation to Apollo Energy Systems.

• 1970

  EFP vehicles place first and second in the pure-electric Clean Air Car Race division[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  An EFP Hornet won the pure-electric division of the Boston-to-Pasadena Clean Air Car Race, while an EFP Mars Van finished second among the completed pure-electric vehicles.

• 1969

  EFP establishes Detroit–Chicago electric-car expressway[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Working with Holiday Inns, EFP created a charging route along Interstate 94 between Detroit and Chicago.

• 1967

  EFP produces Mars II electric sedans[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  EFP produced a low-volume electric sedan based on the Renault R-10 and sold most examples to American utility companies.

• 1967

  EFP sponsors the Great Transcontinental Electric Car Race[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  EFP organized charging support for the race and supplied electric motors to both the Caltech and MIT teams, with its batteries used by the winning Caltech vehicle.

• 1966

  Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation founded in New Orleans[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Robert R. Aronson founded the company as the Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation to develop electric propulsion and battery-powered vehicles.

• 1966

  Mars I electric car completes road demonstration[1]Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Product generation

  The company tested a Renault Dauphine-based Mars I in Louisiana, reporting a range of about 120 miles and a top speed of 52 mph.

1. 1Apollo Energy Systemsen.wikipedia.org