Thursday, August 31, 2006

Traction: More electric hub motors

The PML Mini QED apparently has a top speed of 150 mph, a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The car uses a small gasoline engine with four 160 horsepower electric motors — one on each wheel. The car has been designed to run for four hours of combined urban/extra urban driving, powered only by a battery and bank of ultra capacitors. The QED supports an all-electric range of 200-250 miles and has a total range of about 932 miles (1,500 km). For longer journeys at higher speeds, a small conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) is used to re-charge the battery. In this hybrid mode, fuel economies of up to 80mpg can be achieved.

The same website also mentions the PRAZE Electric Scooter, apparently developed by PML FlightLink also, with high profile European partners including Peugeot and with support from the European Commission. The aim of the PRAZE project was to improve the efficiency of the “battery powered electric scooter”, and create “Personal Zero Emission Transport for the City of the Future”. Achievements include the development of a Ni-Zn battery without any toxic components and a charge profile of less than 5 hours (Sorapec).

One is also referred to the rather odd PRAZE site

IMO: A long way to go yet, and one is reminded of the Sinclair C5 and the Tucker car I am afraid. Neither of those were successful though both were fascinating and the success of the present endeavours depends a lot on actual circumstance and the competence of those involved. The PML site would probably sell bits and pieces for those who wish to experiment.

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