hermperez
04-20-2010, 01:57 PM
Meanwhile other news: company offers "Voltec" style retrofit in large quantities for trucks, vans and other commercial vehicles:
http://www.altellc.com/
http://www.greenchipstocks.com/articles/electric-car-conversions/778
"CALCARS TECH LEAD RON GREMBAN'S COMMENTS:
The conversion process consists of replacing most of a vehicle's whole drivetrain with its modular series hybrid system (like that in the Chevy Volt "extended range electric vehicle"). It can be sized for vehicles from pickup truck size on up through medium-sized trucks, vans, and light buses.
Components/processes:
ENGINE: up to 5.4L gas or Diesel is replaced with a 2.0L or 3.3L gas engine driving one or two 82 kW permanent magnet (PM) generators.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: kept but re-tuned, with the torque converter removed to enable 90+% efficiency); the motor/generators connect to wheels through the transmission.
ACCESSORIES: retained but electrically driven.
MOTOR/GENERATORS: 2-3 82 kW PM, the same ones used for the engine-generator set.
BATTERY: 15-70 kWh Li-ion battery pack, depending on vehicle size, for up to 52 miles of pure electric (EV) driving per charge.
OPERATION: Vehicle is driven as an EV until the battery is depleted, then the engine is started to keep the battery from further discharge. The engine is not mechanically connected to the wheels.
PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY: As a hybrid — after a 40-50 mile all-electric range — mileage expected to improve by 55-130% over the original vehicle (25-32 MPG vs. 14-16 MPG for an unconverted Ford F-150).
ATTENTION TO DETAIL, including a liquid battery cooling system, and additional weight of as little as 200 lb.
CONVERSION COSTS of as little as $21k per vehicle."
http://www.altellc.com/
http://www.greenchipstocks.com/articles/electric-car-conversions/778
"CALCARS TECH LEAD RON GREMBAN'S COMMENTS:
The conversion process consists of replacing most of a vehicle's whole drivetrain with its modular series hybrid system (like that in the Chevy Volt "extended range electric vehicle"). It can be sized for vehicles from pickup truck size on up through medium-sized trucks, vans, and light buses.
Components/processes:
ENGINE: up to 5.4L gas or Diesel is replaced with a 2.0L or 3.3L gas engine driving one or two 82 kW permanent magnet (PM) generators.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: kept but re-tuned, with the torque converter removed to enable 90+% efficiency); the motor/generators connect to wheels through the transmission.
ACCESSORIES: retained but electrically driven.
MOTOR/GENERATORS: 2-3 82 kW PM, the same ones used for the engine-generator set.
BATTERY: 15-70 kWh Li-ion battery pack, depending on vehicle size, for up to 52 miles of pure electric (EV) driving per charge.
OPERATION: Vehicle is driven as an EV until the battery is depleted, then the engine is started to keep the battery from further discharge. The engine is not mechanically connected to the wheels.
PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY: As a hybrid — after a 40-50 mile all-electric range — mileage expected to improve by 55-130% over the original vehicle (25-32 MPG vs. 14-16 MPG for an unconverted Ford F-150).
ATTENTION TO DETAIL, including a liquid battery cooling system, and additional weight of as little as 200 lb.
CONVERSION COSTS of as little as $21k per vehicle."