EV torque/speed relationship

A new prototype multi-speed transmission for electric vehicles (EVs) has begun “on-road” testing with a European vehicle manufacturer. The prototype has been designed and manufactured by Italian drivetrain specialist Oerlikon Graziano with British control specialist Vocis.

EV producers have traditionally used a single transmission gear ratio, due to the wide operating range of a typical electric motor, which provides maximum torque from zero RPM. However, Richard Taylor, Vocis Technical Director, said,”Electric motor efficiency drops off at low load levels and towards the extremes of speed. Multiple gear ratios with electronic control allow the motor to be kept in the region of greatest efficiency for a much higher proportion of the time, allowing significant range extension”.

The heart of the new transmission is a concept based on the same principles similar to those used in a DCT transmission (dual-clutch transmission), however unlike most EV powertrains which use a single e-machine (motor/generator), the Vocis multi-speed transmission works with two small e-machines, each with their own independently controlled shaft.

Although the unit weighs more than the conventional single-speed transmission,Vocis thinks the simplicity of the system will be attractive to EV motor manufacturers as there may well be a reduction in the amount of heavy batteries the vehicle will need. The system is also readily scalable, including the number of ratios, so it can also be applied to a diverse range of vehicles i.e. cars, light commercial vans, etc.

Twin speed electric vehicle (EV) transmission

Vocis, the transmission engineering and control specialist, is unveiling its new twin-speed electric vehicle (EV) transmission at the LCV2011 (the Low Carbon Vehicle show) on September the 7th-8th, at Rockingham Motor Speedway.

The new EV transmission will be demonstrated in a prototype electric minibus developed with powertrain supplier Zytek and technical specialists will be on hand to provide an insight into the new technology. The new transmission technology will demonstrate the efficiency, performance and range benefits for next-generation EVs.

The RAC Future Challenge

This year the RAC Future Challenge 2011 is taking place on Saturday the 5th November 2011 and is open to electric, hybrid, hydrogen and low-emission internal combustion engine cars and light-commercial vehicles. The challenge invites contenders to drive a 60-mile route from Brighton to London with the aim to use the least amount of energy.

This year the event organisers are using experts from Imperial College London to provide the expertise and neutral input to the event’s regulations, measurements and the results analysis. All vehicle entrants will be supplied with the necessary FCC data-loggers and sensors to ensure everyone has a fair chance to overcome any fitting problems and also to ensure all data recorded is accurate.

Last year’s car manufacturer entry list included prototypes, pre-production vehicles and current production cars from the likes of BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, Skoda, Vauxhall and Nissan. For 2011 the total number of entries has been increased to 90 and because of the diversity of the vehicles involved, there are a range of awards in 20 different categories. The vehicle type energy categories have been revised to the following:

1. Pure Electric (EV)
2. Extended-Range/Plug-in Electric (E-REV, PHEV)
3. Hybrid (HV, HEV)
4. Hydrogen (HFEV)
5. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) – up to 110g/km CO2 emission fuelled by any legal means

Toyota iQ EV

Toyota has unveiled their iQ based EV Prototype at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show which offers zero emissions from its all-electric 47kW motor (driving the front wheels) and 270V lithium-ion battery (located beneath the seats). The new EV prototype will accelerate from 0-62mph in 14 seconds, has a top speed of 78mph, and offers a range of 65 miles on a full charge.

The new car is based on their popular iQ city car and a full charge on AC power takes four hours and an 80% charge on DC takes just 15 minutes. Toyota expects European trials to start this year and they have also announced the second generation RAVE4 is on course for a US market launch in 2012.

Toyota EV leasing programme

Toyota has announced its plans to introduce a production electric vehicle in Europe by 2012 through a leasing programme. This new model will be based on the EV prototype which is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Electric Vehicle leasing

The EV car is based on the successful iQ and will undergo road testing in Europe during 2011 and is also going to be marketed in the USA as well.

This new EV prototype integrates an all-electric powertrain within the iQ package while maintaining the agility of the popular city car, yet with zero tailpipe emissions and silent electric running.

The four-seater EV prototype has a new, flat lithium-ion battery pack, is expected to have a range of around 65 miles and is yet another example of Toyota’s innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Electric Vehicle leasing is also available right now on other cars if you are interested.

Nissan ESFLOW

Nissan has released the details of their Nissan ESFLOW, zero emissions, EV sports car which proves you can produce a vehicle that is environmentally friendly, yet is still a thrill to drive. The car is based on Nissan LEAF technology but this new sports car concept runs on two electric motors and is rear wheel drive.

Performance is superb with the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint reached in only 5 seconds and the car has a range of over 240kms (149 miles) on one charge. This two seater electric sports car has dramatic styling with a long bonnet leading into a steeply raked, wrap around windscreen. Low profile tyres and crisp clean lines ensures it looks like a true performer and the exterior colour is inspired by glaciers – highly reflective solidified liquid with blue tints in its shadows. The car’s headlights and Nissan emblem are also tinted cool blue, the six spoke wheels contain blue carbon inserts as does the side sill, roof mounted lip spoiler and lower rear bumper.

Rear view of Nissan ESFLOW

The cabin is clean and open, with the seats sculpted into the rear bulkhead of the car to save weight. This means of course they are immobile, but the fly-by-wire steering and pedals adjust electrically to find the best driving position (rather than the other way round in a conventional car). The seats are upholstered in gold leather and perforated gold suede with the doors trimmed in dark blue leather and suede. This theme continues across the dashboard, which is also adorned with silver carbon trim plus four multifunction illuminated LCD displays.

Nissan LEAF rear view

The Nissan LEAF is the first all-electric vehicle to win the coveted 2011 European Car of the Year Award. The Nissan LEAF is the world’s first mass marketed, affordable, zero-emission vehicle and this is the first time in the 47 year history of this award that it has gone to a 100% electric vehicle.

Nissan LEAF

The jury included 57 leading motorist journalists from 23 countries and the Nissan LEAF saw off competition from Alfa Romeo, Citroen , Dacia, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volvo to win top prize. Hakan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year, said, “The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects”.

The Nissan LEAF is powered by a compact electric motor that develops a power output of 109PS and has a maximum speed of 90mph. It comes with regenerative braking, air conditioning, satellite navigation, parking camera and an advanced on-board IT and telematics system.

The car will be available in five colours in Europe namely blue metallic and pearl, white pearl, silver metallic, black solid and red pearl and will be launched in the UK in March 2011.

Nissan has a number of other eco-friendly cars in the pipeline, under the PURE DRIVE label including a petrol-electric hybrid based on the Infiniti and next year also sees the launch of the new Micra which will offer CO2 emissions of just 95g/km.

THINK City

THINK, the pioneer in electric vehicles is seeing its sales grow in Spain as test fleets have been acquired by electricity group Iberdrola and car-share company, Cochele. There have also been some demonstration models delivered to ING Car Lease and the leading mobility company, Zardoya Otis.

THINK City EV

THINK’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michael Lock, said,”Electric vehicles got off to a modest start in Spain, but now that THINK City is readily available and fully air-conditioned, the Spanish appetite for the world’s best-selling electrc car is growing fast. Thanks to the adoption of the City in excellent new schemes such as Madrid Avisa we look forward to THINK becoming synonymous with EV success in Spain”.

THINK has been developing and producing electric vehicles for over 20 years and has nearly 10,000 electric vehicles on the road  with 35 million miles of customer experience in this sector.

THINK

THINK, the Scandanavian electric vehicle manufacturer, and its largest fleet customer, Move About the Norwegian car-share fleet operator, is supplying 15 THINK City courtesy cars to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.

All conference delegates will be able to use the urban EV during their time at the summit. The THINK City EV’s have a range of up to 180k/km (circa 108 miles) and also emit zero emissions. As yet the electric battery powered car has been sold to selected markets such as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, The Netherlands, Switzerland and most recently Spain. The vehicles have been targeted at municipal fleet holders, governments and utility partners.

Peugeot BB1

Peugeot brought their revolutionary small EV (electric vehicle) to London. Unlike other small electric cars, this vehicle can accomodate up to four adults due to its innovative layout and controls. The car offers zero emissions and a range of 75 miles from its electric powered engine.

The vehicle is a cross between a car and a scooter and the Peugeot BB1 was on display at London’s Covent Garden on the 7th and 8th November,