e2v sponsors Greenpower 2008, electric car events for children

e2v has sponsored fourteen secondary schools from Essex and Lincoln to take part in the Greenpower 2008 formula 24 electric car event. Greenpower is an exciting, and challenging series of events for children, which brings hands on engineering projects to schools all over the UK.

e2v, a major employer of engineers and scientists, has provided support in the way of funds, staff enthusiasm and engineering expertise, to help its sponsored schools be success during their 2008 racing events, which follows a successful 2007 when three of its schools reached the finals of Greenpower 2007.

The Greenpower project has a unique hands on approach to teaching engineering, science and technology to children. Greenpower presents engineering in such a way as to encourage children to consider making it a part of their future career.  School teams are challenged to design, build and race electric cars, then compete against other teams from all over the country.  The pupils involved get an insight into the real, tangible world of engineering and business management. In addition to introducing pupils to the technical aspects of building a racing car, the challenge also demonstrates the potential of ”green” energy, as the cars run on 24-volt electric motors.

On Wednesday 11th September, e2v and Greenpower hosted the e2v Lincolnshire regional heat at a local kart circuit in Grantham. The event was a great success, with seventeen skilfully made and designed electric racing cars entered into the 4 hour endurance race, many of the cars entered were sponsored and supported throughout the building process by e2v staff.

Bob Randall, head of e2v’s apprenticeship scheme, attended the e2v regional heat. He commented “I was delighted to observe the level of commitment and enthusiasm each child gave to their team, it is encouraging to see that engineering can engage and excite these youngsters. The cars preformed perfectly on the day, which shows how hard each school must have worked.” Bob continues, “e2v employ new apprentices each year, working with schools on this project will help us to find the next generation of e2v engineers.”

Qualifiers of the e2v regional event will join other qualifiers from around the country on the 19th October 2008, for the finals of Greenpower 2008 at Goodwood. e2v has four of its sponsored schools from both Essex heats and Lincolnshire heats through to the finals.

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Press Contact:
Mike Tarbard, e2v Marcomms Specialist
106, Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, Essex. CM1 2QU
Tel: + 44 (0) 1245 453 255 Fax: +44 (0) 1245 453 255
www.michael.tarbard@e2v.com Web: www.e2v.com

NOTES FOR EDITORS

About Green Power
Greenpower is a company dedicated to promoting engineering and technology as careers to pupils throughout their school life, through an exciting hands-on project to design, build and race an electric racing car!

Greenpower have been running the ”Formula 24” series for secondary schools since 1999. In that time hundreds of schools and many thousand children have played an active part. Each entrant is issued with a standard 24 volt electric wheelchair motor and four 12 volt car batteries (two on the car, and two on charge in the pitlane). A series of six hour endurance races at motor circuits around the county build up to the National Final; held each October at the historic Goodwood Motor Circuit. Each team must comprise of six drivers and six pit-crew.

Greenpower also offer a Primary School project – a fixed-speed kit car (Goblins!) formula, with inter-school competitions held at various locations throughout the year. New for 2006 are two Formulas aimed at sixth-forms and colleges, similar to ”Formula 24” but with a more detailed specification.
Contact : Greenpower, unit C2, Modern Moulds Business Centre, Harwood Road, Littlehampton
West Sussex, BN17 7AU. T/F. 01903 715915

About e2v technologies plc

e2v technologies is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of specialised components and subsystems, falling within two product groups:

• Electronic tubes
• Sensors and Semiconductors

These products enable some of the world’s leading OEMs to deliver innovative systems for medical and science, aerospace and defence, and commercial and industrial applications.

For the year ended 31 March 2008, e2v achieved sales of £205m and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (e2v.l).  In July 2006 e2v technologies plc acquired a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of specialised electronic components and sub-systems, based in Grenoble, France and in May of 2007 e2v plc acquired MiCS Microchemical Systems SA a designer and manufacturer of semiconductor based gas sensors.  These acquisitions strengthen the Group’s position as a major global provider of specialised electronic components and subsystems.

e2v’s products are supplied into three core market areas:

• Medical & Science: Sensor technology includes imaging sensors for intra-oral and panoramic dental X-ray, mammography, life science applications and X-ray microscopy. Electronic tubes are the enabling technology behind radiotherapy cancer treatments, microwave medical therapy and high-energy physics.
• Aerospace & Defence: Sensor technology includes products for military surveillance, targeting and guidance, space-based imaging and astronomy, radar, electronic warfare, and broadband data converters and microprocessors for aerospace applications.  Electronic tubes provide the enabling technology behind radars, electronic countermeasures (ECM), electronic warfare and satellite communications.
• Commercial & Industrial: Sensor technology includes marine radars, industrial safety sensors, automotive radars and alarms, thermal imaging cameras used by fire fighters, CCD and CMOS high resolution line scan cameras for industrial inspection. Electronic tubes provide enabling technology behind TV broadcast, satellite communications, marine radar and food & industrial processing.

The overall purpose of the business is to grow sustainable shareholder value whilst appropriately meeting the expectations of customers, people, partners, suppliers and the wider community.  e2v’s vision is to create value through bright ideas in technology and materials science. The Company’s mission is to place customers at the heart of the business, providing enabling products of premium quality that extend technical barriers and enhance the competitive position of our partners.

e2v has approximately 1,800 employees worldwide with three UK based manufacturing sites in Chelmsford, Lincoln and High Wycombe, one in Grenoble, France and one in Corcelles, Switzerland.  In addition e2v has sales offices in the UK, USA, Germany, France and Hong Kong, as well as a network of distributors and representatives covering other key territories.

Further information on e2v technologies plc is available from its website, www.e2v.com