American Power Systems, Inc. Marks 20 Years of Vehicle Power Innovation

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Two decades of power conversion and distribution solutions trusted on 10,000+ vehicles worldwide—serving defense, security, commercial, marine, and specialty platforms.

American Power Systems, Inc. (APS), a Davenport, Iowa-based manufacturer specializing in power conversion and distribution systems for armored, security, commercial, marine, and purpose-built specialty vehicles, marked its 20th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting coordinated by the Quad Cities Chamber at its headquarters on April 8, 2026.

Founded in April 2006 by Thomas Evans, APS designs and produces high-output alternators, custom alternator brackets and dual alternator bracket kits, DC-DC converters, high-idle controllers, and related solutions engineered for demanding environments, helping customers maintain dependable electrical power at idle and under load.

“Congratulations to American Power Systems on your 20 years,” said Davenport Mayor Jason Gordon during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We’re very excited for your success; we appreciate what you do for job creation and for economic vitality in the city of Davenport.”

APS was created to fulfill a growing need for high power alternatives for a wide range of vehicles and environments. Quickly gaining a worldwide reputation for quality, innovation and expertise, APS became the trusted partner of a variety of governmental agencies and companies around the globe, including clients such as US Department of State, US Dept. of Defense, US SOCOM (US Special Operations Command) and the Australian Ministry of Defence. APS is an approved power upgrade provider for the US Army, US SOCOM, and the US Department of State, where our products have been classified as “life-saving equipment.”

Over the past 20 years APS has grown from a one-person business to a multi-million-dollar corporation with products on more than 10,000 vehicles across multiple continents, including Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Australia. In March 2020, APS was honored as Small Business Exporter of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Region VII office.

APS also has been honored as Battelle’s Small Business Supplier of the Year. In 2024 APS achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, underscoring audited, repeatable processes that support traceability and field performance. With a growing client base and award-winning success, APS continues to expand and offer its business partners reliable, dependable, and durable products and hands-on support. For more information, visit www.americanpowerinc.com.

“For 20 years, APS has focused on delivering power solutions our customers can rely on in the field,” said Amy Lank, APS President & CEO.  “We’re proud of what we’ve built with our employees, partners, and customers, and we’re excited for what’s next.”

The company’s full 20-year milestone timeline is included below:

2026 (February): APS unveils a dual alternator bracket for the Nissan Patrol in Saudi Arabia at the World Defense Show, a biennial global defense exhibition with more than 106,000 visitors and 700 exhibitors representing 76+ countries to showcase innovations across air, land, sea, space, and security.
 
2025 (June): APS releases a dual alternator bracket kit for the popular LC300 with a 3.3L diesel engine.  With the product launch, APS now offers dual alternator brackets for 2022 and newer 3.3L diesel and 3.5L gas versions, alongside high output alternators and high-idle kits.
 
2025 (April): APS launches its next-generation Ultra Performance at Idle (UPI) high-output alternator series, providing more output across the board at both lower and upper RPM. In addition, the increased power output at lower RPM means faster charging capability at lower speeds, including at idle.
 
2025 (February): APS releases a second dual alternator kit option for adding secondary power to the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.3L gas and highlights it to the international defense community at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
 
2025 (January): Frenchman Sébastien Simon takes 3rd place in the prestigious Vendée Globe solo round-the-world sailing race equipped with an APS high output alternator powering his IMOCA 60 Groupe Dubreuil.
 
2024 (September): APS achieves ISO 9001:2015 certification, a designation that points to audited, repeatable processes for meeting quality requirements that reduces variation, improves traceability, and supports strong field performance.
 
2024 (September): American Power Systems, Inc. adds high idle controllers for the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 with 3.3L diesel and 3.5L gas engines.
 
2024 (June): APS unveils a dual alternator kit for the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 3.5L gas at June’s Eurosatory, the international land and airland defense and security exhibition in Paris.
 
2024 (August): National security innovator Battelle honors American Power Systems as Its 2023 Small Business Supplier of the Year.
 
2024 (July): APS receives its second seven-year government sub-contract for non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCV) with Battelle.
 
2023 (October): Under the guidance of our expert marine partners at Ocean Planet Energy, APS supports skipper Ronnie Simpson with products for his racing yacht in the Global Solo Challenge, a single-handed non-stop sailing race around the world.
 
2023 (July): American Power Systems, Inc. adds 60- and 90-amp models to its lower turn-on RPM alternator series
 
2023 (March): APS develops a new series of low-RPM alternators ideal for those needing to fully charge secondary power banks in less time, even while idling.
 
2022 (November): In November American Power Systems, Inc., launches four high-output alternator upgrades for Toyota’s all-new Land Cruiser 300.
 
2022 (September): APS participates in a trade mission to Southeast Asia organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s International Trade Office.
 
2021 (March): APS unveils two new high output alternator upgrades for the Nissan Patrol, an SUV known for its performance in demanding environments.
 
2020 (March): APS is recognized as Exporter of the Year by the Small Business Administration for Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska (SBA Region 7). APS remains continuously open during the pandemic as part of both emergency services and the defense industrial base per Department of Homeland Security guidance.
 
2020 (February): APS participates in trade mission to Mexico organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s International Trade Office.
 
2019 (April): APS responds to Toyota’s changes to its Hilux 2.4L and 2.8L diesel models by developing all-new power solutions upgrades for operators, including OE replacement alternators, secondary alternators, brackets, high idle controllers and converters. The Hilux is considered one of the most relied-upon consumer vehicles for non-standard use around the world.
 
2019 (February): APS introduces its advanced alternator regulator, the APS-500, to the international defense community at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
 
2019 (January): APS releases a 48-volt alternator solution for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter N62 accessory bracket in 2019, and it continues to be an often-sought solution for those building on the popular van chassis.
 
2018 (April): APS participates in a trade mission to Sub-Saharan Africa organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s International Trade Office
 
2018 (August): APS President & CEO Amy Lank is appointed to the Iowa Industry Advisory Council at the Center for Research and Service at Iowa State University (CIRAS).
 
2018 (June): APS introduces its automotive-grade lithium-ion storage solution at Eurosatory, an international land and airland defense and security exhibition in Paris.
 
2018 (May): APS collaborates with Polaris Industries, Defense Division, to upfit DAGOR®, an ultralight tactical vehicle used for special operations, with a secondary power system. The system includes a high-output alternator; dual-alternator bracket; 28-volt external regulator; and high-idle controller.
 
2018 (January): APS announces the Thomas K. Evans Memorial Scholarship in memory of the company’s late founder. Over the next several years APS awards $40,000 to Quad-City area graduates planning to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Named for APS founder Thomas K. Evans, the scholarship honors his legacy of creativity, generosity and commitment to empowering the next generation of STEM innovators.
 
2017 (November): APS President & CEO Amy Lank receives the annual award for Entrepreneurial Innovation and Leadership from the Technology Association of Iowa.
 
2017 (May): APS launches its new High Performance at Idle (HPI) high-output alternator series. Power solutions include increased 12V power and the ability to provide 12V and 24V power on the same vehicle.
 
2017 (January): APS large-case, high output alternators are used on Hugo Boss, a top-tier racing yacht expertly sailed by Briton Alex Thomson to take second place in the 2016-2017 Vendee Globe race.
 
2016 (July): APS receives first seven-year government sub-contract for non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCV) with Battelle.
 
2016 (June): APS collaborates with Pratt & Miller, a US-based R&D firm with extensive defense sector experience, on electrical systems requirements for a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 outfitted with an unmanned weapon system.
 
2014 (July): APS receives first sub-contract for vehicle power solution upgrades with Lockheed Martin.
 
2009 (May): APS moves to its current location at 426 W. 2nd Street in Davenport. The new location allows for expansion of services and production space.
 
2007 (October) APS releases a new line of dual redundant alternators for the 12- and 24-volt tour bus markets.
 
2006 (April): American Power Systems, Inc. is established on April 11 and operates from a facility at 3750 West River Drive in Davenport, Iowa. At its founding, APS specializes mainly in alternators and power system upgrades for motor coaches, RVs, custom built buses, fire engines and lift trucks, work trucks, ambulances, police vehicles, limousines, military and other heavy-duty applications

American Power Systems, Inc. Marks 20 Years of Vehicle Power Innovation