November 8, 2011 – Vol.16 No.34
INNOVATION TO CUT ELECTRIC VEHICLE COSTS.
by Bruce Mulliken, Green Energy News
Oil has a long and promising future.
Some of you probably didn’t want to hear that.
According to an in-depth story in the New York Times, new discoveries and new methods of extracting oil are opening up a new chapter: Oil could last another 60 years. New discoveries off the West Coast of Africa and its jigsaw puzzle mate, the East Coast of South America, as well as the soon to be ice-free Arctic as well as waters off Cuba and in the Mediterranean all will add to the global supply. Further, the expansion of squeezing oil from sand is creating a long term supply.
The article mentions only in passing the effect continued guzzling will have on the planet.
There’s no reason to disbelieve the findings of this story.
Will governments of the world make laws that slow the consumption of all this newly accessible oil? Some may try. But don’t count on it.
The only way to stop this inundation is to find a way to make clean alternatives such as electric vehicles far cheaper. That’s a message to EV car companies: Innovate, innovate, innovate to cut costs.
KleenSpeed Technologies, of California, is building an electric vehicle prototype that could potentially be a step in that direction. KleenSpeed calls it KAR. I’ll let words from the company explain:
“The KAR concept is based on a complete rolling platform designed and engineered by KleenSpeed which will be fitted with a variety of alternative body modules.
“The KAR Platform is under development now and the first prototype version of the body module is now being modified at KleenSpeed to drop on to the KAR Platform prototype.
“In keeping with the core values of the KleenSpeed brand, our first production EV will emphasize the driving enthusiast’s perspective. It will be fast, provide crisp and sporty handling, and be really fun to drive. The KleenSpeed KAR VX-1 will also be a real world viable 2-passenger electric vehicle that sets new benchmarks in value, efficiency, performance and EV technology.
“The VX-1 is the first in a series of EVs based on the KAR Platform technologies. A 4-passenger sedan will be developed next, followed by other body configurations …. All offering the KleenSpeed EV experience.
KAR Platform Details
KAR ESS
“The KAR ESS is the heart of the KAR Platform. The scalable ESS will feature thermal control and a self-contained enclosure with modular battery packs to allow for simple size and power variations. The largest version will provide 40 kWh of energy and deliver sports car performance and a real-world range of 120 -140 miles.
KAR PLATFORM
“The KAR PLATFORM incorporates a unitized controller/motor/drivetrain package mounted via rear subframe. The low profile ESS mounts under the floor of all body styles to provide a low center of gravity for responsive handling. Steering and front suspension are also incorporated into a modular subframe design. All three main subassemblies will be joined by a lightweight platform perimeter frame to comprise a complete rolling chassis.
KAR VEHICLE INTEGRATION
“The KAR Platform is intended to accept a variety of body units to create a full line of E vehicles : a 2 passenger coupe, a 4 passenger sedan, a utility vehicle with a compact pick-up bed, a panel van and a mini SUV are all possible options sharing the common platform. This modular design concept considerably reduces costs to market a full range of vehicle types suited to niche markets.”
The platform will weigh a maximum of 1450 lbs. With a body about 2600 lbs. A 134 hp, 100 kW electric motor will drive the rear wheels.
The approach is actually a return to the past when all cars were made on a body and frame , or chassis, platform that truck companies still use.
The company’s other products include the Eiata, a kit to convert Mazda Miatas to electric drive, a selection of e-bikes and e-scooters, and an electric kart.
Links:
KleenSpeed Technologies
http://www.kleenspeed.com