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Light Car - Open Source

Jan 22nd, 2009 by Mary Perkins

EDAG, the engineering services company, will be showing off its new environment-friendly vehicle at this year’s International Motor Show in Geneva.

Picture of the new Light Car
It is based on an all-electric drive system, and has a range of up to 95 miles. EDAG say “The matter of propulsion is taken care of by intelligent, electric drive systems in the wheels, which not only feature a high degree of efficiency to get the power of the lithium-ion batteries in the rolling chassis onto the road, but will also provide considerably greater creative scope for the vehicle package. This is made possible by a system integrated in the wheels, which consolidates a number of functions: steering, brakes, drive and suspension.”
It is described as having an “innovative light concept and minimalised lighting technology… one of the first vehicles to use (O)LED technology as a variable design and communication element.”
In the glass panes LEDs mark out the outlines of the headlights and rear lights on the car. The driver can design the outlines of the lights to his individual taste, just like you customise your computer’s desktop at home. And the driver can customise their cockpit: “Whether he wants the tachometer in the middle or the climate control gauge on the right-hand side, the driver can individually configure his cockpit as far as size, position and style of the instruments is concerned.”
For more information see the full press release by clicking HERE.

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New Electric MINI Launched

Oct 22nd, 2008 by Mary Perkins

MINI has manufactured a new ‘MINI E’ model, which will go on show for the first time next month. It is electric drive, with lithium-ion batteries, which are charged through an electric plug.

The MINI E, which looks set to be another classic, will be released in a limited number, on a leased basis, to select customers in Los Angeles, New York and New Jersey. BMW, who own the MINI, have hinted that they are already considering expanding its sales to other cities like London.Â

Mini E

The car is a 2-seater, with its electric motor under the bonnet supplying 204 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It drives the front wheels directly using a single-stage helical gearbox, and draws its energy from the battery pack where the MINI’s rear seats would usually be. MINI say that the car will accelerate to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds. As a city car, its top speed has been limited to 95 mph in order to conserve energy. It will travel 4.4 miles per kWh (approx 227Wh/mile), and 150 miles per recharge. One recharge takes about 8 hours. MINI says it will retain the agile handling of more conventional models.

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Lotus Eigne Concept

Sep 3rd, 2008 by Kelvin

The Lotus Eigne is an electric sportscar concept targeted to young families which combines the typical sportiness of Lotus models with a high level of practicality. The author is David Fearnley, who graduated from Northumbria University.

Lotus Eigne Concept

The Lotus Eigne is a concept aimed to offer a more practical sports-car for the Lotus line-up.

Designed by David Fearnley with a young family in mind, the Eigne intends to offer a level of practicality while maintaining the Lotus experience.

The generously-scaled central space of the cockpit can accommodate two adults and a child, behind the driver thanks to a 1+2 seating arrangement, made possible thanks to the in-wheel electric motors which eliminate any obstacles on the floor pan.

Lotus Eigne Concept

The in-wheel motors offer rear biased four-wheel drive for more control while maintaining the rear-wheel drive feel.

The batteries which power the electric motors are sandwiched in the floor pan to keep them cool and lower center of gravity for better handling.
Design

As David Fearnley explains “The surfaces have been created to cover the package of the vehicle and to improve aerodynamics.

“This can be noted on the front end where the traditional bonnet has been eliminated and replaced by a large front wing that is formed into the bodywork.”

Lotus Eigne Concept

This channels air through and over the windshield while creating extra down-force to improve front end handling.

The airflow glides over the roof and down the rear of the vehicle where it is pushed through a subtle spoiler integrated into the lip at the rear, intended to create sufficient down-force when coupled with the lower diffuser to replace the existing lip spoiler seen on current Lotus models today.

The surfacing under the belt line features a large intake which swoops under the car allowing ample cooling to flow to the rear in-wheel motors and helps suggest that the source of power is present from the rear – this detail is further accentuated by the rear wheel size being larger than the front.

“The convex and concave detailing which runs into the vent maintains the voluptuous Lotus styling and helps to disguise the fact the vehicle is a little wider through the center.”
Lotus Eigne Concept

Lotus Eigne Concept


Interior

Lotus Eigne Concept

The 2+1 seat layout is possible thanks to the electric four-wheel drive system which eliminates any obstacles on the floor pan.

The cockpit can accommodate the driver, two adult passengers and a baby-seat - positioned directly behind the driver.

The dashboard has been conceived with a sporting, modern look, with clean-cut details matching the style of the exterior.

The lightweight carbon-fiber and alcantara seats promote the sports theme further.

Some subtle elements hint at the electric powertrain of the car: these include the battery shaped logo and the circuit board pattern embossed on the floor.

Access

Lotus Eigne Concept

The access to the car was of prime importance. The side section of the chassis was lowered slightly to allow for an easier “step” into the vehicle.

As there is a center seat, access to it would be tricky with conventional doors, to overcome this, the doors incorporate a section of the roof in order to allow a larger access point to step in to.

The hatch at the back was designed to allow the full width of the boot to be easily accessed, great for the shopping, pram, golf clubs, etc.
About the designer

David Fearnley has graduated from the Transportation Design Course at Northumbria University with a 1st class BA(Hons) degree on 17th July 2008.

Among his professional experiences is a collaboration with JCB Excavators which led to two placements within the Industrial Design Department.

He is currently seeking internship and employment opportunities.

Posted in Concepts, On Four Wheels, UK EV News | Comments Off
We’re not making enough noise!

Aug 11th, 2008 by Kelvin

Anyone who’s driven an EV at a showground will most likely know that people will walk right infront of your car / bilke oblivious to the fact that you are there. An EV is of course very quiet and people expect to hear the rumble of pistons burning petrol or the rattle of a diesel.

It’s always struck me that this is very easy to solve by simply playing a recording of an engine over some speakers. In fact a friend of mine has a V12 at Le Mans as his ringtone on his mobile phone. Well the boys at Lotus have popped some speakers behind the bumper of a Prius and done just this. The BBC made a report on it and here it is.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7548524.stm

I do wonder however what they would make of a cyclist with a boom box atatched to his handlebars playing the sound of a Harley Davidson as he cycled through a precinct. Would he be stopped for disturbing the peace by the noise abatement society?

Isn’t the truth of the matter however that traffic is really too noisey. Do you really want to hear the traffic outside your house inside your house ?

Posted in Other News, UK EV News, Video | Comments Off
Nice show 3 new cars at the London Motor Show

Jul 22nd, 2008 by Kelvin

In addition to the Ze-O, NiICE have on thier stand The Fiat e500 which is now the latest to get the EV makeover though this is more an excersise to monitor the public opinion than it is a full sales project, none the less what an ideal city car!

Europe’s Car of the Year combined with the most advanced electric drive system. Produced to order in Italy by Micro-Vett, Europe’s leading electric vehicle specialist. The e500 comes with the full range of FIAT options and extras and the assurance of a full FIAT warranty.

Fiat e500

And the G-Wiz is also being targeted now with the NICE The Italian-styled two-seater. Small, stylish and very good looking. Urban cool - with all the benefits of zero-emissions . No Congestion Charge. Free road tax. Free parking in many locations. Virtually free motoring from around just £8,995.
Price: from £8,995
Maximum speed: up to 40 (mph)
Maximum Range: up to 60 miles

Charge time: Five hours
Number of seats: 2-seater Coupe
Battery Type: maintenance-free AGM Lead Acid

Posted in On Four Wheels, UK EV News | No Comments »
First picture of £14k, all-electric MPV from NICE Car Company

Jul 19th, 2008 by Kelvin

NICE Ze-O

To be unveiled at British International Motor Show on 22 July 2008. Neither a concept nor prototype; the Ze-O is coming to Europe this year

Affordable, practical, with low running costs and zero emissions; NICE Car Company today presents the first image of the all-new Ze-O. Making its global debut at the British Motor Show next week, this MPV is the first all-electric car available within a family budget.

“All-electric sports car prototypes are eye-catching and interesting,” said Julian Wilford, co-founder NICE Car Company. “However, we all know customers want practical electric cars and they want them sooner rather than later. The Ze-O is a genuinely spacious and affordable car; it’s coming to the UK this Autumn and to the rest of Europe during 2009. We expect to be very busy at the motor show.” Styled in Europe and manufactured by NICE’s partners in China, the entry level Ze-O will have a range of up to 65 miles in city driving and top speed of 55 mph. Optional, longer-range lithium-ion battery options will be available soon.
Emissions free, the car will be exempt from road tax, congestion charge and boasts running costs of a few pence per mile. That’s a fraction of the cost of a conventional petrol or diesel model.

Full details of the Ze-O and other models in the NICE Car Company family, will be revealed on the stand; N25, North Hall, London ExCeL, on 22 July 2008. The NICE Car Company press briefing takes place at 2.15 pm. But go along anytime.

Posted in Events, On Four Wheels, UK EV News | Comments Off
Electric E7 Taxi Debuts in the UK

Jul 19th, 2008 by Kelvin

Allied Vehicles, a UK vehicle adaptation specialist and supplier of minibuses and wheelchair accessible vehicles, is launching an electric taxi at the British International Motor Show in London, 23 July - 3 Aug. The new electric E7 taxi is powered by a Lithium-ion battery pack from Axeon Holdings plc.

The electric E7—based on the purpose-built Peugeot E7 taxi—has a range of up to 100 miles (161 km) from a single charge and a top speed of 60 mph.

The electric E7 also provides full wheelchair access. With a large rear-passenger area, wheelchair users can enter the vehicle more easily and be turned into the correct position for travel, before being secured safely with wheelchair restraints and passenger seat belts. Each taxi is equipped with retractable side-steps and a specially designed, under-floor wheelchair ramp to further improve accessibility for disabled passengers.

Allied signed a £17.3 million supply agreement with Axeon for a minimum of 1,000 lithium-ion battery packs to power a range of zero-emission vehicles. Allied is building on its relationship with Peugeot to provide a 3.5 tonne rated delivery vehicle based on the Peugeot Boxer, while the Peugeot Expert body shell provides options for a 3 tonne rated delivery vehicle, an 8 seat minibus, and the taxi. Allied is also developing an electric 16 seat low floor city bus.

Allied Vehicles Group was established in 1993 and in 2008 it set up Zero Emission Vehicles subsidiary to launch its range of electric taxis, vans and minibuses.

From GreenCar Congress

Posted in On Four Wheels, UK EV News | No Comments »
ELECTRIC LIGHTNING GT DESIGN REVEALED

Jul 10th, 2008 by Kelvin

In June 2007, The Lightning Car Company announced its intent to develop electric technology for a luxury British sports car – the Lightning GT. Today sees the unveiling of its evolutionary design. This super car with its outstanding presence & performance is set to put British sports car innovation well and truly back on the map.

Lightenig GT Electric supercarDesigned to accommodate the latest battery and motor technology and reflect its 100% electric power and performance, the electric Lightning prototype is being hand-built by a small team of passionate British engineers, designers and collaborators.

Whilst the rest of the automotive world engages in the hybrid, hydrogen or electric debate, the Lightning Car Company firmly believes its 100% Electric Lightning GT will help kick start the market for performance EV’s. Without a significant positive shift in perception, electric motoring will remain a huge compromise in the eyes of driving enthusiasts and therefore fail to impress the masses. Lightening’s vision is shared by the world’s biggest car maker, General Motors, who believes the global oil supply has peaked and a switch to electric cars is inevitable…

The design team has created a successor to the petrol Lightning GT. Combining the spirit, heritage, individuality and drama of the original car with a dynamic and contemporary design language moves it into a new era and, in doing so, embraces the new technologies and innovative architecture that reside beneath its skin. Subtle creases, positive and negative sections add a sense of strength and finesse to the dramatic surfaces of the car while retaining an understated, yet distinctive British Grand Tourer aesthetic. The Lightning’s interior will also be designed to complement the unique electric driving experience.

With the build of the prototype well underway, we should see how this translates into the ‘real thing’ during the second half of 2008. The electric Lightning GT and Sports versions are now available to pre-order and deposits of £15,000 are being accepted.

Posted in On Four Wheels, UK EV News | Comments Off
BVS Wows the North-West

Jul 7th, 2008 by Tim Crumpton

A big thank you to everyone who came along yesterday and made our event such a huge success!

Vehicle Display

We had around 20 vehicles in the end, bought along by our members. These included electrically assisted pedal bikes, scooters, motorbikes, cars, minivans, a milkfloat, and a model aeroplane. The vehicles ranged from historic Enfields and a Winncity bike, through to the cutting-edge Vectrix Scooter and the Trend-E car.

Trend E car

The general public were really interested in the display and asking lots of questions, and the BBC turned up to take a wander round the display with me and hear all about it in a live broadcast.

Then there were the two talks: Antoni Offert and Clive Williams, our two speakers, were excellent. It was lovely looking round at a lecture theatre full of EV enthusiasts, and members of the general public, enthralled by battery technology in the morning and historical EVs in the afternoon. The talks were followed by an outdoor demonstration, from Derek Manly, on Lynch Motors. Derek pulled in the crowds as he demonstrated the motor in action, and then took it apart and talked about how it worked.

The next North-West event is scheduled for Saturday 4th October, and will probably be a road-run. Keep an eye on the website for further details.

Mary Perkins,

North-West Region.

Posted in Meet Reports, News, UK EV News | No Comments »
Volkswagen Golf by 2010?

Jul 6th, 2008 by Kelvin

Volkswagen are testing a “twin drive” system which they claim they aim to have on the roads by 2010. The Twin Drive is somewhat similar to the Volt in that theres an ICE motor and an electric motor so you can run on both petrol/diesel and electric. Final drive like the volt is via the electric motor.

Golf Twin Drive

The VW golf is of course often considered as one of the definative family cars especially given it’s hearitage and not least of all the name of the company itself The People’s Car. It’s great to see another 4 door family car going electric. We hope to see more soon!

For more information read the Daily Tech article here