i started the build on the ultra-efficient hybrid EV that i have been planning for some months, and am keeping a diary of progress, here:
http://bit.ly/JCjX7D
this is the first prototype as a step towards creating and selling ultra-efficient
Hybrid Electric Vehicles as a viable commercial business.
more information is available at
http://lkcl.net/ev but the gist is:
- for the first prototype to start from a 1999 suzuki swift gls
- transplant all parts (including mounting points) into a new steel frame
- put some bodywork round it and test the Aerodynamics
- get it through its MSVA as a road-legal vehicle (heavy quadbike, under 400kg, under 15kW)
the whole purpose of the exercise is to prove that the bodywork design actually works and is effective. this is NOT about "taking an existing car and shoving in an electric motor" - that would be a futile exercise because existing cars are simply not designed to be efficient. the purpose of the exercise is to prove that a 200mpg (ish) fuel economy target is viable by throwing out the traditional car body design.
major parts required:
the reason why only an 8kW motor is feasible is because this project is *not* about speed, speed, speed, it's about efficiency. if the car needs more than 4.5kW to sustain 60mph there's something wrong.
the "eco" tyres are absolutely essential. normal tyres are a Cr of 0.015; "eco" tyres are almost 1/3 of that (0.006). however, the "eco" tyres normally wear out very very fast and have a maximum weight limit of 300kg each, and at £80 each they're horrendously expensive. luckily, as the entire *car* is only to be 350kg, the tyres will last a lot longer.
right - enough being on the computer: off to collect some more grease, dirt, cuts and bruises
Ultra-efficient Hybrid EV Conversion started (Category L7E)
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