Electric hummer unveild

[pnel128]

Last week at SAE World Congress, Raser Technologies unveiled a prototype Hummer H3 that gets realistically around 28-33 mpg (100 miles to the gallon based on never burning gas). This is basically a volt concept H3
with a 200 kW traction motor mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Raser’s 100 kW generator, driven by a 2.0L SIDI turbo charged engine provides electrical power.

Really wish I could post links, oh well soon enough.

Still waiting to find out if the thing performs worth a damn.

 

[MattK]

What's the difference between this and a hybrid?

 

[Stomis]

What's the difference between this and a hybrid?

Ugh its a hummer

 

[tRustyK5]

More like a diesel/electric locomtive. No batteries I'm guessing...

200KW electric motor would offer some impressive acceleration too, seeing as an electric motor produces 100% of it's torque immediately and the curve is dead flat.

Rene

 

[RockinChevy]

Prolly costs 3 or 4 times as much as a fully loaded H2 with all the bells and whistles.

 

[lectric80]

It is actually a hybrid. It has batteries that carry it for about the first 30-40 miles, then the generator kicks in and starts providing the power needed to move the thing.

 

[RockinChevy]

I'm still interested to know how this actually works. Electric vehicles and hybrids are still very new to me.... Sheesh, I'm just now learning about diesel. I better fast forward myself and live in the "now".

 

[lectric80]

I'm still interested to know how this actually works. Electric vehicles and hybrids are still very new to me.... Sheesh, I'm just now learning about diesel. I better fast forward myself and live in the "now".

Basically when you turn it on, nothing happens. When you press the accelerator electrical energy is taken from a battery or generator and applies to a big electric motor to move the vehicle. The diesel generator doesn't actually do anything except charge the batteries and provide power for the motor. Most hybrids actually use a gas motor to provide some motivation, while the electric handles more in town stuff.

 

[RockinChevy]

Basically when you turn it on, nothing happens. When you press the accelerator electrical energy is taken from a battery or generator and applies to a big electric motor to move the vehicle. The diesel generator doesn't actually do anything except charge the batteries and provide power for the motor. Most hybrids actually use a gas motor to provide some motivation, while the electric handles more in town stuff.

Aha, I get it now. Thanks.

 

[dfl701]

I googled it and the suggested price would be 55000 when mass produced. I'm on my phone so I can't post the link

 

[DR]

Basically when you turn it on, nothing happens. When you press the accelerator electrical energy is taken from a battery or generator and applies to a big electric motor to move the vehicle. The diesel generator doesn't actually do anything except charge the batteries and provide power for the motor. Most hybrids actually use a gas motor to provide some motivation, while the electric handles more in town stuff.

Which is basically the same thing a train does and why its able to be a mile long and get amazing mileage.

 

[pnel128]

Yeah I saw that mass produced price of 55K. Not sure I believe it just yet though. TO build the thing (as advertised) right now would be much closer to 125K. When I was pricing batteries to build up my K5 in a similar configuration I was looking at 65K for 40 mile range. However, with so many new hybrids running lithium packs I can see the 55K as a reality shortly.

I want these things built though Id love to have it as a commuter car.

 

[dyeager535]

Aren't trains using the diesel engines to directly power the motors, negating the need for batteries?

Yes, claimed mileage for a train is 400+ per ton of cargo (so equivalent would be 200MPG for a 4000lb car) but I bet a large portion of the efficiency is that for the amount of weight, the contact with the rail is tiny, unlike a vehicle tire.

Why they don't use a diesel/electric setup to power vehicles I'm unsure, probably something to do with gearing/power. Getting rid of the batteries (at this point in technology) would be a good thing.

 

[pnel128]

Correct trains use very limited energy storage, some battery and/or capacitor for things other than motion.

Diesel would be better for this type of application and dropping the batteries would make make things cheaper. The reasons batteries are included IHO is that:
1)it sounds better to say 100 mpg (including energy stored in battery) vs. 30 if we dropped the batteries
2)With cheap electricity (solar or grid) consumer possibly has lower cost/mile because they ignore cost of batteries and upkeep/replacement cost of batteries
3)ICE efficiency is higher at steady state and thereby creating a need for storage of energy not needed when produced (red light)
4) ramp up and down of ICE may cause excessive lag time
5) Hippies don't like burning gas