Ultimate Aero EV: Shelby Super Cars to Build World's Fastest Electric Car

Pretty cool looking car, eh? Shelby Super Cars (SSC) is going to build us an electric car with over the top muscle. SSC is known for building powerful muscle cars using internal combustion engines, but now they want to try their hand at an all electric. This is great news for those of us who want to drive oil free autos.

The reason it is great news is because we will have more manufacturing of Li ion batteries and electric drivetrains. Indeed, SSC has stated they will sell their drivetrain to other manufacturers at a low price of 5 to 6 thousand dollars when bought in bulk (10,000 units or more). The more companies we have building EV's, the less it will cost us to get into one.

This car is amazing, as evidenced by the claim that it will only take 10 minutes to charge! If this is true, then the range of an EV is nullified by the fact that it can be re-fueled is such a small time frame.

Press release from SSC:

West Richland, WA (01/19/09)

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) released the details today of the revolutionary electric vehicle technology to be unveiled in the second quarter of this year. SSC will reveal its innovative all-electric powertrain in the current Ultimate Aero, the Guinness Certified “Fastest Production Car in the World,” to create the Ultimate Aero EV and will reinforce the company as a benchmark in the auto industry. But unlike other auto manufacturers, SSC’s new technology will set a new standard in the electric car industry – one of 10 minute recharges, super horsepower and ranges of up to 200 miles per charge.

While other auto manufacturers focus on producing Green technology for specific cars, SSC’s focus is on producing Green technologies for a wide range of applications for an even wider range of vehicles. SSC’s electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable Powertrain) is unique due to its scalable horsepower, light weight, compact size, quick recharge time and liquid cooling.

SSC’s Nanotechnology Rechargeable Lithium Battery pack is rechargeable in only 10 minutes on a standard 110 outlet and has a 150-200 mile range on a single charge. This means that in a typical 8 hour day, the car using this technology could go 200 miles, charge for 10 minutes (the time it typically takes to fill up a tank of gas), then drive 200 more miles, charge for 10 minutes and continue on. Some other EV technologies necessitate an overnight charge creating a class of “commuter electric cars” and are not practical alternatives to gas combustion automobiles.

The AESP’s main feature is its scalability. The all-electric SUV or delivery truck is now a reality in the not-so-distant future. The AESP is scalable from 200 horsepower for economy and midsize cars, to 500 horsepower for light trucks and SUVs, and up to 1200 horsepower for delivery trucks, heavy duty equipment, buses and military vehicles. The revolutionary design proves electric-powered vehicles not only match, but also provide more linear power (electric motors have 100% torque at 0 RPM) and overall performance than internal combustion vehicles.

• All-electric. No gasoline.

• Light weight. Just a fraction of the weight of a standard combustion engine (<200lbs.)>

Aptera 2e Inches Closer to Production Date

In a world full of bad news, here is a little bit of good. The Aptera 2e will begin production in October, with deliveries commencing shortly thereafter. Unfortunately, these deliveries will only be available to Californians initially. In 2010, Aptera will offer the vehicle to other areas, hopefully mine!

The Aptera 2e is all electric and has a reported range of 200 miles. It is also a three wheeled vehicle which means it will be treated as a motorcycle and licensed likewise. After the 2e, there will be a plug-in hybrid variant that lets you fall back on a combustion engine when the batteries are depleted. I really like this car and hope it is successful.

From Hybridcarblog.com:

"Aptera is now showing off its latest prototype, the 2e, which replaces the Typ-1. The 200 mpg 2e will achieve about 200 miles per charge using lithium iron phosphate batteries while offering a top speed of about 90 mph.

Yes, it's a three-wheeled, two-seat vehicle - which is great for those whom live in states with HOV lanes, as the Aptera will probably qualify as a motorcycle.

Still, it's been designed with a nose crush zone, side impact beams and integrated air bags to keep you safe, despite the small, aerodynamic frame.

Likewise, the vehicle is chock full of technology, such as a solar-assisted climate control system.

Production for the Aptera 2e is to begin in October and delivery will begin shortly thereafter for buyers in California. Those buyers outside of California will have to wait until early 2010.

According to Aptera, 4000 people have put down deposits on the Aptera 2e, which is going to cost between $25,000 - $45,000."

Hymotion/A123 Systems Toyota Prius Conversion

Do you own a 2004 to 2009 Toyota Prius? These are the models years that can be converted to plug-in capability using the kit sold by Hymotion / A123 Systems. Hymotion started this business and then were later bought by A123 Systems, makers of Nanophospate Lithium ion battery cells. Their product is now a drop-in 5 kWh Lithium ion battery pack that works in conjunction with the Toyota Hybrid Synergy drive and allows the operator to drive in an all EV mode.

During installation, an EV switch is installed that lets the driver operate entirely on electrical energy without the ICE starting. The Prius can then travel about 15 or so miles using the additional battery pack and also boasts 100 mpg over the course of 40 miles. The 40 mile number is significant as it represents the maximum number of miles traveled by the majority of US commuters.

The Hymotion unit costs $9995 installed and is really one of the best aftermarket kits available to make your Prius a plug-in. Here are some specifics from the Hymotion web site:

"A123 Hymotion L5 Plug-in Conversion Modules are designed to convert Toyota Prius HEVs into PHEVs that can achieve up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles*

Hymotion L5 animation here

Product Specifications

• Designed for Toyota Prius, model years 2004 – 2009
• ~ 5 kWh pack
• 5.5 hour charge time
• ~ 180 pounds
• Up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles within electrically assisted driving range

• Meets strictest emissions standards in U.S.
• Crash tested to federal new vehicle standards
• $9995 – includes 3 year standard warranty and installation"

Of course, the difficult part of this upgrade is coughing up the 10 grand, especially in the ultra depressed financial times in which we find ourselves. However, in my opinion this is the best bang for the buck of ANY plug-in kit on the market.

In the future, I will look at other manufacturer's solutions to converting a late model Prius into a plug-in Prius. There are several options avaialble.

Plug-In Conversions for the Toyota Prius

For the more budget minded, there is a company in California who has worked very hard to put together a DIY plug-in conversion package for the 2004 to 2009 Toyota Prius. To make things easier, Plug-In Supply of Petaluma, California has fabricated a battery box and collected the other hardware and software necessary to convert your Prius. Their complete system includes batteries, battery box, charger and wiring harness. They even offer an EV switch that allows operation up to 52 mph without the help of the internal combustion engine.

Here's how it works. Twenty batteries are connected in series yielding a pack voltage of 240 volts that is then connected to the Toyota NiMH battery pack in the Prius. The batteries are arranged nicely in a specialized battery box manufactured by Plug-In Supply that sits atop the spare tire in the rear well. the battery box is mounted on a hinge with hydraulic lifts so it can swing out of the way in case one needs access to the spare. Pretty nifty. The kit by itself retails for $4995 and most dealers will install it for a grand or so. This brings the conversion package to about $6,000.

While not as expensive as the Hymotion package, it still is a shock to most people's finances. This kit will allow 12 to 15 miles in all electric mode and is the PERFECT solution for those evening and weekend errands. If you have short commute to work, especially on city roads, you may even be able to avoid having the engine start at all. This is truly living oil free.

From Plug-In Supply:

Plug-In Supply Inc of Petaluma California is pleased to announce the availability of components and assemblies to build the Prius+ plug-in conversion invented by CalCars to convert a 40+ mpg Prius into a 100+ mpg Prius Plus (plus 1 cent/mile of electricity). With the conversion system installed, a Prius can be driven for the first 10-15 miles on electricity before reverting to standard Prius driving mode.

A PHEV owner plugs in the car overnight to recharge the battery pack. This saves gasoline by substituting cleaner, cheaper, domestic electricity for a portion of the gas that would otherwise be used to propel the vehicle. Electricity from the outlet sells for less than $1 per gas gallon equivalent (GGE).

The Prius+ conversion is the original and most successful non-commercial PHEV conversion for the Toyota Prius car.

Plug-In Supply products allow dealers to complete high-quality PHEV conversions.

The conversion system uses new extended life lead-acid batteries (over 800 cycles), for better battery longevity than was previously available. The combination of longer battery life and lower price improves the affordability of converting a Prius.

The PbA20 PHEV Assembly is a complete, tested, and ready to install pack. It provides access to the spare tire and contains 20 PbA20-12 lead-acid batteries, plus all high voltage components and control electronics in a strong welded steel enclosure. Expect about 10 - 15 miles of EV mode range.

Battery chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) or Lead Acid (PbA).
Expected battery life: 11+ years for LiFePO4, 2 years for PbA.

System weight: 150 lb for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) and 360 lb for Lead-Acid (PbA).
Battery Pack Mounting Location: under rear cargo deck on top of spare tire. Battery box lifts up on springs to access spare tire.
Capacity: 5kW
Voltage: 256 VDC
Charge time: 4 to 8 hours from any 110 VAC / 15A outlet.
On-board charger mounts under front seats or in cargo area.

The PbA PHEV Assembly is also available without batteries.

Summary of the features of the Plug-In Supply Prius+ PHEV conversion:
Three mode operation, Normal Prius, Enhanced Prius and Electric Vehicle.
Normal Prius is stock performance, PHEV engaged.
Enhanced Prius mode engages auxiliary battery pack to enhance the performance during normal Prius operation.
Electric Vehicle mode means gas engine does not start. To exit this mode car must be brought to a stop, turned off then restarted. Car restarts in normal Prius mode.
Range in EV mode: 10 to 15 miles per charge. Depends on terrain and driving style.
Max speed in EV mode: 52 mph.

The Subaru Stella EV To Make its Debut This Summer

More good news for those of us who desire alternative energy vehicles. Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI), who make Subarus, will commence delivery of the Stella plug in vehicle this summer. Unfortunately for those of us who live in North America, these cars will be for sale only in Japan.

The Stella EV will have a top speed of 62 mph (100 kph) and a range of 50 miles or 80 km. I presume that Subaru is going to try and keep the cost low for this vehicle as the battery pack only contains 9.2 kWh's of energy. The battery technology is Lithium ion with a nominal voltage of 346V. The 50 mile range is sure to give most commuters some anxiety and the 62 mph top speed may deter freeway use. However, for those individuals who need not travel on roads with posted speed limits greater than 55 mph, this car could be perfect.

I would personally prefer to see this car with a 100 mile range and 70 to 75 mph top speed. These numbers easily cover the overwhelming majority of US commuter's needs. Of course, you would need twice the battery capacity which probably doubles its cost. We need mass production of Lithium batteries to bring their cost down and make the technology more available to the masses.

The next two years are going to be great for alternative energy vehicles. I am personally very excited to see the next years unfold. We will soon have a great choice of electric vehicles at showrooms and also competition for our hard earned dollars.

Thanks FHI and Subaru for giving us one more choice!

From Green Car Congress:

uji Heavy Industries (FHI), maker of Subarus, will begin delivery of the plug-in STELLA (earlier post) this summer, according to FHI President & CEO Ikuo Mori in his New Year press conference speech.

More than 100 units are to be delivered mainly in metropolitan areas of Japan. FHI is calling 2009 the “First Year of Electric Vehicle”.

The Subaru Plug-in STELLA Concept combines the electric drive system employed in the R1e (earlier post) with the Subaru STELLA minicar platform. FHI plans to use the plug-in STELLA Concept in the development and test-marketing of the next generation of EVs in Japan in the near future.

The STELLA EV seats four, has a maximum speed of 100 kph (62 mph) and a range of 80km (50 miles) per charge. A 9.2 kWh, 346V Li-ion battery pack drives an electric motor with 40 kW output and that develops 150 Nm torque.

Fritz Henderson Announces GM's Core Brands as Chevy, Cadillac, Buick and GMC

GM's COO, Fritz Henderson has gone on record stating that their core brands will be Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. This is not much of a surprise as the matter was discussed during their hearings before the House and Senate when they begged for their lives. Pontiac will be downsized greatly and Saturn may just be jettisoned. GM really does not know what to do with SAAB and Hummer and it looks like they wish the two could have been sold in 2006.

One disturbing comment made by Henderson is that if gas prices remain low, Chevy will have a difficult time selling the Volt. GM really needs the Volt to be a smashing success, but it appears they are already preparing for a failure. Other manufacturers are moving quickly to bring plug-in electric hybrids to market and I fear GM will be left in the dust. GM should have offered the Volt this year, using existing lead acid or NiMH batteries, but instead they dragged things out by researching and developing more expensive Li ion batteries. The price of the Volt could have been lower initially with these batteries and coupled with the $7500 federal tax credit, it would have made a very viable purchase for consumers. Instead, we have to wait nearly two more years.

From Automotive News:

"General Motors will go to market with four core brands in the future: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC. Pontiac will be shrunk "significantly," a senior GM executive told the Automotive News World Congress tonight.

GM COO Fritz Henderson said that GM is conducting a strategic review of its Saab and Hummer brands and that the "status quo" for the Saturn brand will not work.

"We need to do something different with the Saturn brand," he said.

Henderson stopped short of saying GM would outright shutter the brand, but he made it clear that it would not remain in the same capacity and form it is today.

Likewise, GM is working with the Swedish government on a plan to help the Saab brand.

"We're engaged with the Swedish government as we speak," Henderson said. "We've talked to investors and we'll see where it goes."

Three-quarters of Saab sales are in Europe, he said. "Saab is not a U.S. strategy."

Henderson said the four core brands comprised 83 percent of GM's total sales volume in the United States last year.

Going forward, the Pontiac brand will "shrink substantially," Henderson said. But the fact that GM is investing heavily in the Buick brand in China will benefit that brand in the United States.

"When you see the new LaCrosse, it will be very familiar to the one you've seen GM reveal in China," Henderson said.

Asked if GM should have followed the 2006 advice of Jerry York, Las Vegas billionaire Kirk Kerkorian's former representative on the GM board, to sell Hummer and Saab, Henderson said, "With the benefit of hindsight, you might say we should have moved then."

If oil prices remain low, GM would be challenged to successfully sell key future vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid sedan, he said. But GM is planning its future business around oil being $130 to $160 a barrel in the next few years. GM is projecting oil will be average about $53 a barrel in 2009, he said.

During his speech, Henderson outlined the volatile markets that led to GM's cash crisis late last year. He said that if GM does not get the second installment of the $13.4 billion loan the government granted, it will run out of cash before the end of March. GM is expecting a payment of $5.4 billion in the next few days, Henderson said. That payment was originally due last week, but was delayed by the change in administration.

The government gave GM the first installment of $4 billion on Dec. 31.

GM is working with its stakeholders to refine the viability plan it submitted to Congress on Dec. 2. In that plan, GM said it would direct most of its marketing and engineering resources toward Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC.

Henderson said GM's next challenge isn't just streamlining operations and developing advanced technology, it's also fixing its public image.

"Our job is not only to build vehicles people want to buy," Henderson said. "But to communicate that people want to buy our vehicles."