District directors Friday awarded contracts to Quantum Technologies Inc. of Irvine and Hymotion of Toronto, Canada, to prepare a plug-in test fleet.

Quantum, which also develops hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen storage systems, received $2 million to buy and convert 20 of Ford Motor Co.'s Escape gasoline-electric hybrid SUVs. The Escapes will use batteries from Advanced Lithium Power Inc., a Vancouver, Canada, company in which Quantum is a 20% stakeholder. see article