Sevcon Selected by Brammo to Provide Drivetrain Technology for Electric Motorcycles

Brammo Empulse and Empulse R Electric Sportbikes Use Sevcon's Gen4 Motor Controllers to Replicate Dynamics and Performance of Internal Combustion Engine


SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass, May 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sevcon, Inc. (Nasdaq:SEV), a global manufacturer of drivetrain controls for electric and hybrid vehicles, today announced its selection by Brammo, Inc., a global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, to supply Gen4 motor controllers for Brammo's Empulse and Empulse R 100% electric motorcycles, which were launched on May 8, 2012.

The 100-mph Empulse R features Brammo's unique Integrated Electric Transmission (IET™), which consists of a specially designed electric motor, clutch and six-speed manual transmission. The IET gets its digital brainpower from Sevcon's Gen4 motor controllers, which enable the motor, clutch and transmission to work together to replicate the acceleration, driving dynamics and overall performance of a motorcycle powered by an internal combustion engine.

"Brammo's decision to make our Gen4 controllers integral to its latest breakthrough in motorcycle drivetrain technology marks the addition of yet another respected partner to our expanding portfolio of global OEM relationships," said Sevcon President and CEO Matt Boyle. "Our growth strategy is focused on increasing our penetration of the on-road EV market to supplement our longstanding business in the off-road industrial EV sector. Based on our recent shipment trends, two-wheel vehicles – ranging in size from scooters to motorcycles – are selling faster than any other type of EV worldwide, and we see the Empulse as a significant opportunity to further increase Sevcon's production volume in the months ahead."

Craig Bramscher, CEO and President of Brammo, Inc., added, "Sevcon is integral to our product development process and a valuable long term business partner. We are very pleased with the performance of the Sevcon Gen4 controller."

A product of Sevcon's 60 years of EV drivetrain technology development, the Gen4 is a microprocessor-based device that regulates power delivery from the Empulse's lithium-ion battery to the motor, controlling acceleration, speed and regenerative braking while optimizing energy consumption. The sportbike-styled Empulse has an average range of up to 100 miles on a single battery charge.

About Sevcon, Inc.

Sevcon is a world leader in the design and manufacture of microprocessor based controls for zero emission electric and hybrid vehicles. The controls are used to vary the speed and movement of vehicles, to integrate specialized functions and to optimize the energy consumption of the vehicle's power source. The company supplies customers throughout the world from its operations in the USA, the U.K., France and the Asia Pacific region and through an international dealer network. Sevcon's customers are manufacturers of on and off-road vehicles including cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, fork lift trucks, aerial lifts, mining vehicles, airport tractors, sweepers and other electrically powered vehicles. For more information, visit www.sevcon.com

The Sevcon, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=9607

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this release about Sevcon's selection by Brammo, Inc. to supply Gen4 controllers for the Empulse electric motorcycle are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we anticipate. In particular: global demand for electric vehicles may not grow as much as we expect; our customers' products may not be as successful as those of other entrants in the electric vehicle market who are supplied by our competitors; and we are dependent on a few key suppliers and subcontractors for most components, sub-assemblies and finished products, and we may not be able to establish alternative sources of supply in time if supplies are interrupted. Please see the company's most recent forms 10-K and 10-Q on file with the SEC for further information regarding Sevcon's risk factors.



            

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