RE: Hybrid project

[Matt Graham <MGraham@phoenixsw.com>]

Ken,

There are lots of great examples of HEV conversions. Starting with the
HEV Challenge in '93, an average of 30 or so universities have entered
conversion vehicles each year. Now, it's transformed into the PNGV
Challenge, and rather than the smaller Escorts, Saturns and Neons,
they're converting family sedans, such as the Taurus and Intrepid.

These cars are typically modified to run on gasoline blends like M85 and
E95, and _some_ show good gasoline-equivalent mileage of 50-80 mpg. It's
a good thing you threw that "money is no object" line in there, because
none of these conversions are cheap. Most use advanced batteries like
SAFT NiCd, high efficiency motors like Unique Mobility PM, and highly
modified small engines like the three-cylinder Geo.

Some of the technical papers each school is required to present have
been published by SAE. You might want to check there for more
information.

Matt Graham

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Ken Trough [SMTP:ken@digd.com]
> Sent:	Monday, February 28, 2000 4:22 PM
> To:	EVlist
> Subject:	Hybrid project
> 
> I have an HEV question.  Are there any decent conversions being done
> that
> incorporate a small efficient fuel motor to recharge the onboard
> batteries?
> I am aware of the various commercial projects by the manufacturers,
> and a
> few concept type vehicles, but are there any decent hybrid systems
> around
> that are home buildable?  I am actually considering doing this to a
> 1979
> corvette if I can get the numbers looking good before I begin.  Given
> that
> money is no object, is there any way to get remotely comparable hp out
> of an
> electric conversion, and still get a decent range using an onboard
> fuel
> recharger?
> 
> I'm sure that these are the same questions heard again and again.  Is
> there
> a reference I can get a hold of that is current enough to cover recent
> advances in these areas?  I am hoping that since the manufacturers are
> coming out with some advanced new designs, some of this
> knowledge/technology
> is available to the home designer.
> 
> Thanks in advance for the data,
> 
> -Ken Trough
> Getting the EV bug