Apollo Energy Systems is a U.S. multinational alternative energy corporation headquartered in Pompano Beach, Florida, that develops, produces, and markets fuel cell power plants, electric propulsion systems, and alternative energy generation equipment. The company was founded by Robert R. Aronson in 1966 as the Electric Fuel Propulsion Corporation (EFP) in New Orleans, Louisiana. It later became known as the Electric Auto Corporation (EAC), and in 2001 changed to Apollo Energy Systems.
Vehicles
Since the 1960s, the company's propulsion systems have powered a variety of platforms including the company's own brand of vehicles: Mars I, Mars II, Mars Van, Electric Eel, Voltair, EPF Hornet, Electrosport, X-144, Santa Fe, Thunderbolt, Transformer I, Silver Volt.
Mars I
In 1966, the company built and tested the Mars I electric car using a tri-polar lead-cobalt battery. The Mars I was based on a Renault Dauphine and was equipped with a 96-volt power source. On August 15, 1966, the Shilstone Testing Laboratory conducted a road test from New Orleans to Empire, LA and back. The results included a useful cruising range of 120.3 miles and a top speed of 52 mph, with an acceleration from 0 to 40 mph in 10 seconds. This demonstrated that the Mars I was suitable for city driving, and led to EPF's sudden move to Detroit, where automobiles were manufactured. Only one Mars I was ever produced. The name "Mars I" was suggested by the founder's son, who loved the Mars candy bar.
Mars II
Based on the 4-door, 5-passenger Renault R-10, 45 of these vehicles were produced in Ferndale, Michigan, during the years 1967 and 1968, and were sold primarily to utility companies in the USA. The Mars II operated on a 120-volt system, using tri-polar, lead-cobalt batteries (lead-acid) which could be charged to 80% capacity in 45-minutes. The D.C. motor was rated at 15 horsepower and the transmission was a manual, 4-speed. The power controller was manufactured by the Hartman Manufacturing Electrical Company and was a series/parallel switching system. Total driving range on pure battery was 146 miles on a single charge. According to an original EFP purchase order form, the car sold for $4,800.00.
Maiden voyage
EFP founder Robert R. Aronson drove the first Mars II from Detroit to Washington, D.C., between March 5 and March 10, 1967. Eleven charge stops had been set up along the way at utility companies. A lot of time was taken by the press, and one day was lost due to a snowstorm. The purpose of the trip was to demonstrate the car to government officials in hope of obtaining Federal money for research and development.
Second voyage
April 1967. Hosted by Consumer's Power Co., the Mars II was driven from Detroit to Cadillac, Michigan, with charge points that had been set up in Flint, Saginaw, and Claire. Cost of recharging averaged about 1/2 cent per mile, compared to a 1-1/2 to 2 cents per mile average for internal combustion-powered cars. "When a gasoline company representative showed an interest in the car this morning, Aronson told him this was the only electric car to use gasoline also. "It has a gasoline heater system and uses about 20 cents worth of gasoline a week."
First delivery of a Mars II
According to an EFP brochure, J. Don Howard, President of Wisconsin Power and Light in Madison, Wisconsin took delivery of the first Mars II electric car in September 1967.
Cross-country trip
The second Mars II was driven from Detroit to Phoenix, Arizona, departing on September 20 and arriving on October 5, 1967. Passing thru nine states and making 36 planned stops for recharging the batteries at utility substations and restaurants, the Mars II covered approximately 2,000 miles. Aronson claimed that the actual distance was 2,226 miles and that the cost of electricity to charge the batteries totaled $27.26.
Los Angeles Water and Power delivery
Coming full circle, Robert R. Aronson made delivery of a Mars II to L.A. Water and Power on December 12, 1967. Growing up in Los Angeles and delivering telegrams for Western Union on his bicycle, Aronson as a young man first had the dream of producing non-polluting vehicles as he rode behind diesel-powered buses which emitted black smoke. Mayor Sam Yorty attended the unveiling ceremonies.