Eco V – Electric Wins NextEnergy Innovation Award
6/14/2006

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DETROIT, MI – Detroit Chassis LLC, an automotive manufacturing company of niche vehicles and RV chassis announced that EcoV Electric, a Southeast Michigan start-up, has been awarded the NextEnergy Innovation Award with a $12,500 investment and in-kind services to commercialize EcoV, it’s electrical vehicle prototype. The award was announced at the conclusion of the Great Lakes Entrepreneur’s Quest business plan competition, at the Grand Prize Ceremony conducted earlier this month at the Michigan Union at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The competition included six finalists, selected from a field of 27 entrants, who presented their innovations to a panel of four judges from the Michigan Venture Capital Association. EcoV was one of four Emerging Company team winners, including Grand Prize winner Rapid BioSense, runner-up Space Weather Forecasting, and Automation Alley Innovation Award winner Check the Crib.

EcoV President Richard W. Marks commented on receipt of the award, “This is a great milestone in our efforts to raise capital to fund our company. It provides great credibility to our efforts.” Marks indicated he will apply the award toward refining the design of his prototype platform and further development of his manufacturing plan.

Marks’ firm, EnVironmental Transportation Solutions, LLC, was established in 2003, dedicated to a low-cost, environmentally friendly, urban based, electrically powered vehicle. In production EcoV will be suited for government and commercial fleets, and consumer use. The prototype has been demonstrated and favorably reviewed by local governmental agencies, public utilities, universities and businesses.

DCP has been selected as the manufacturer of choice.

Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com