Calstart Announces Transportation Projects

Calstart, a Burbank-based consortium that is trying to create an advanced transportation industry in the state, announced several new demonstration projects.

The programs are part of a $5.5-million partnership between Calstart and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency. Nine California companies are also participants.

Calstart said the programs will involve developing and testing new components for electric vehicles such as high-powered flywheel mechanical batteries and support systems. The goal is to help create cost-effective electric commercial and combat vehicles.

Among the companies involved in the projects are Rocketdyne of Canoga Park, which will test titanium flywheels for electric vehicles; U.S. Flywheel Systems of Newbury Park, which will test flywheel batteries, and Advanced Controls Technology Inc. of Agoura Hills, which will design and test a new magnetic bearing system for flywheels.

Also, Monrovia-based AeroVironment Inc. has built a prototype of an electric military vehicle, which it will outfit with new components it is developing.