http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/technology/...

'Nuff said.

Not healthy... but not dead. Seems the founder has DEEEEEEEP pockets. Here's hoping they keep increasing sales. I sure wish I could get a set in my car...

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=ne...

Altairnano Enters into Supply Agreement and Receives Purchase Order from Phoenix Motorcars

RENO, Nev.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTI) announced today it received a purchase order for its NanoSafe™ 35 KWh battery pack systems from California-based Phoenix Motorcars for $1,040,000 for battery pack systems scheduled for delivery in February and March 2007. In addition, the company announced it has entered into a multi-year purchase and supply agreement with Phoenix under which Phoenix has projected orders for 2007 between $16 and $42 Million for up to five hundred battery pack systems.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story...

Links to the news release.

Some discussion of the release at Green Car Congress...

Altairnano has announced that they have delivered the battery packs that Phoenix Motorcars ordered for their fledgling SUV electric vehicles.

"Altairnano's NanoSafe battery packs meet or exceed all performance specifications and the shipments were made on schedule and on time to Phoenix Motorcars," said Altairnano President and CEO Alan J. Gotcher Ph.D. "We expect the new year to be a significant one for Altairnano as we are prepared to accept additional NanoSafe battery pack orders from Phoenix Motorcars to support the introduction of their sport utility truck in spring 2007."

Seeing as the quote is from the Altairnano President, I think I will wait to hear from Phoenix (or perhaps the drivers of the vehicles) as to whether the packs live up to their expectations. This is still significant because there were a good number of people wondering out loud as to whether these batteries would even be produced and delivered.

While we were at the 5th EVer EAA Chapters conference, we saw a presentation on this company's new approach to developing lead-acid batteries. It looked pretty promising.

Here is a link to an article in the Chicago Tribune about their receiving additional VC funding:

Fresh $10 million adds charge to battery-maker's ambitions

[Chicago Tribune - Published November 13, 2006]