Midtronics Inc. has announced the completion of initial
field-testing for the GRX-5100 Hybrid/EV Battery Station. According to Midtronics,
this is the first high-voltage Hybrid/EV vehicle battery service and de-power
tool for various hybrid and electric vehicles. The GRX-5100 safely de-powers
high-voltage batteries and also enables service for the battery system at the
module level, reducing manufacturer warranty costs and repair time and expense
for customers, the company says.

Currently completing field testing at
General Motors, the GRX-5100 was developed to perform full battery pack
service, including balancing, charging in no-start situations and full
de-powering. The de-power capability enables packs in vehicles that have been
involved in severe collisions to be de-powered to a safe level for storage,
recycling or shipment. Beyond service providers, the GRX-5100 is also targeted
for reclamation yards where it can be used to perform critical safety checks
and de-powering with the battery pack either in or out of the vehicle.

"We have been working in tandem
with various vehicle manufacturers to develop this new solution to improve the
serviceability of electric and hybrid vehicle battery systems, whether that be
routine repair or complete de-power after a severe collision," said
Midtronics Chief Technology Officer Kevin Bertness. "Field-testing in
cooperation with General Motors has been very successful and we plan to begin
full-scale production and shipping of the GRX-5100 before the end of
2012."

The GRX-5100 features a versatile
electrical harness between vehicle batteries and communication systems via
unique adapters for each vehicle model. Simple menu prompts guide verification
that the battery and communication systems are properly connected and balancing
or de-powering operations can safely begin. The station also utilizes USB-based
memory, which will support system updates for future vehicle battery systems
without a hardware upgrade.

"The ability of the GRX-5100 to be
updated to communicate with future vehicle battery systems ensures that our
dealers and other OEMS will be able to perform service, de-power and balance
functions as new makes/models are introduced," said Pablo Valencia, GM
senior manager of global battery lifecycle management.

The GRX-5100 is the latest in Midtronics
range of products developed for the hybrid/electric vehicle market. Previous
product releases have included the HYB-1000 Hybrid Battery System Analyzer,
designed for the aftermarket; and the GRX-5000 EV Battery Module Diagnostic
Station; which performs both battery module balancing and diagnostics and was
initially created in support of the Nissan LEAF program.