Re: Voltsrabbit Facts

[Electro Automotive <electro@CRUZIO.COM>]

Okay, I gotta clarify some misconceptions here.

>>I want to drive myself (rarely take
>> passengers) about 50-60 miles over level ground at blvd. speeds
>> (40-50 mph) in Cleveland, Ohio.
>
>Well, this is a hard nut to crack for a PbA car at speed, no matter
>how you slice it.  If this is the hard and fast contraint, then
>getting the rabbit and stocking it to the brim with batteries will be
>the only way to do that non-stop every day at speed.  The Force will
>do it with new batteries and some encouragement, and I don't know
>about the "stock" VoltsRabbit's, though I doubt it would come close.

Not true.  We quote 60-80 miles *usable* range on the Voltsrabbit because
those are the numbers we consistently get from most of our customers in real
life driving.  I drove the first Voltsrabbit in a rally literally the day
after it was built (green batteries, green motor, green driver) and got 60
miles, with hills.  We've even had one in the American Tour de Sol, if you
would like some documented ranges.  These are 96V Voltsrabbits.  Of course,
range is less with hills, but Ray indicated level ground.

BTW, I recently spoke with the driver of this particular car.  He said he
has had it up to 65 mph in 3rd gear, and an honest 72 mph (on the level, no
tailwind) in 4th.

>1) Someone proposed adding 8 batteries under the rear seat of the
>Rabbit.

They won't fit, period.  No way.  Not unless you remove the seat permanently.

>I'd be suspect that this car would then weigh nearly 4000lbs,

The 96V Voltsrabbit is 2880 lbs., so it would (theoretically) weigh about
3400 lbs. with 8 more batteries.  I wouldn't recommend this, either.

>As you might imagine, a gas rabbit prob. has better than 60-40% front back
weight distribution.

Actually, it's more even than that.  And the 96V Voltsrabbit matches the
original distribution.  Yes, adding more batteries would mess with that.

> Additionally, aside from the springs, the car's bearings, struts, mounts,
etc. aren't designed for it either.

The Voltsrabbit has custom wound heavy duty springs.

>3) Drivability: the Rabbit setup has typically a stick shift
>arrangement and you have to be careful not to put the car in gear in
>certain conditions to avoid overspinning the motor,

True.

>plus the clutching is a little funky since the motor has much more inertial
dynamics.

Not true.  We have both a gas Rabbit and a Voltsrabbit.  Shifting is the
same, except you don't need to put in the clutch to brake to a stop.

>5) For $10k the Force is a steal.  The shelf price of the components
>in it are the bulk of that and will remain there.  i.e. you'll have
>good resale, even if you smash it up.

For $6k, the Voltsrabbit is a steal, since the kit alone costs $7,500, and
the batteries are another grand.

>6) Someone mentioned components (motor/controller) breaking and being
>cheaper to replace for the rabbit.  However, the Solectria drive
>trains break so rarely compared to the brushed stuff that I wouldn't
>give it a second thought.

To my knowledge, the parts in the Voltsrabbit are as durable and reliable as
those in the Force.  We have not had unusual breakdown problems in the seven
years this model has been on the market.

Shari Prange
Electro Automotive         Since 1979
Components * Kits * Books * Videos * Training * Conversions
POB 1113-W, Felton, CA  95018  408.429.1989  electro@cruzio.com
http://www.electroauto.com

Re: Voltsrabbit Facts