Sympowerco Corp. announced that the company has reentered discussions with an automotive laboratory for the joint design, construction and testing of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) prototypes and Hybrid Power Systems. The prototypes will serve as test beds for the design of SymPowerco's Hybrid Power Systems. SymPowerco plans to enter the Hybrid Power Systems markets with its unique Flowing Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cell. SymPowerco has broadly expanded the objectives of the HEV Project to include feasibility studies for the early commercialization of multiple Hybrid Power System configurations. The project is expected to determine optimal battery requirements for the HEVs, to test multiple types of batteries, to confirm System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) specifications for SymPowerco's Hybrid Power Systems, to determine the fuel cell power delivery requirements of the Hybrid Power Systems under various load conditions and to determine the design issues involving the retrofitting of existing plug-in electric vehicles with SymPowerco's fuel cell and hybrid power technologies. SymPowerco has identified extensive markets for Fuel Cell Hybrid Power Systems including golf carts, small industrial vehicles, three-wheeled taxis in the Far East (Tuk-Tuks), motorbikes and similar small vehicles. Many national and local governments in the Far East wish to replace millions of gas-powered motorbikes and taxis with electric vehicles that do not require plug-in rechargers.

Sympowerco Corp. said that it is negotiating with an unnamed alternative power group on a potential tie-up, which may include an acquisition or a joint venture. The firm did not disclose any details. The firm added that it has also started negotiations with another entity, possessing advanced power technologies and properties, for a potential acquisition or joint venture.

Sympowerco Corp. announced the creation of The SymPowerco Commercial Design Project (SCDP). The multiphase project is expected to encompass all facets of the design of various commercial products for the anticipated markets of the company's Flowing Electrolyte Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (FEDMFC) and Hybrid Power Systems. The project is intended to run concurrently with SymPowerco's FEDMFC development program at Carleton University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in Ottawa, Canada. Phase I of the SCDP is expected to include a study of the ancillary equipment and 'balance of plant' requirements of the FEDMFC as they relate to commercial requirements, manufacturability, scalability and industrial design elements of the FEDMFC and Hybrid Power Systems. Future phases of the SCDP will include engineering and design elements including hybrid power system layout designs, power interfaces, branding, packaging and the design of a flexible component regime to satisfy broad OEM requirements.