Van

I was looking at this web page, and saw some pictures about 1/2 way down... http://www.cleantechinstitute.org/Training/CEVT.html

Anyone know how successful this car was?

MM951

I don't know much about that car, but I do seem to remember a white one from about 10 years ago - irrc they claimed the fastest 0-60 or 1/4mi or something out of an electric car at the time..

AScholtes

Hmmmm... interesting....

I'd like to see it complete. I think this would be a fun swap for the NA cars...not to mention, it is much better looking than any modern electric car in production (I dont count the Tesla as being in production)

Robin W.

I don't know if all the pictures are from the same time period but the blue batteries with orange holders (photo above the first 944) have only been available for a couple years. JB Straubel (one of the founders of Tesla) converted a 944 a long time ago http://www.jstraubel.com/944EV/EVproject.htm Technology and especially batteries have come a long way since his conversion.

AScholtes

I'm diggin it...I wonder if the mileage would increase exponentially with the new battery technology out there. The current commercial offerings of fully electric vehicles are averaging about 80 miles as far as range goes. I wonder if it could get that kind of range with the newer batteries and newer generation of controllers and motors in a DIY platform....

Robin W.

80 miles is no problem on a reasonably light platform like the 944 if you use lithium batteries (LiFePO4). However just like a gas car you go through much more energy with spririted driving so you have to balance range with driving style.

My build is based around mild performance (300hp/300ft-lbs) and I should get 60-90 miles with my driving habbits, or 40-50 miles with spirited driving. Much less if drag racing/autocross etc.

The batteries are still the weak link but evolving quickly.

ZR8ED

300ft/lbs from 0-max rpm. Can't get a flatter torque curve than that!!! Can't do that with a v8!

Interesting. I like interesting...If we didn't make choices to do things differently, we would all be driving a mustang/camaro!

Robin W.

I agree, but don't say that too loud...
My motor/batteries could do more power, however I chose a controller that would limit power to what I believe is safe and reliable for a stock 944 turbo transmission. Without that limitation I could have 500whp and 650ft-lbs with a simple controller swap.

catamax944

Why does everybody that do electric conversions go 100% electric? Wouldn't a small generator engine solve the mileage problem?

pettybird

I'd imagine it's packaging

krystar

an electric car cruising on highway uses about 10-20KW. a 10kw generator weighs about 300 pounds. 20kw generator goes onto a mini trailer

not to mention either of those would prob cost another $5-10grand

Robin W.

The smallest practical range extender would be in the 20kw range otherwise a common 4-6kw generator would need to run many hours for every hour of driving time it would give you. Have a look at the shape/size/cost of a 20kw (continuous) generator, then look at the fuel efficiency and emissions.

Exactly, without being an OEM and having the luxury to design the car around the drive train we have to work with what the oem gave us. A Chevy Volt is basically the best version of this "generator" on board type idea. It's an electric car with a very small battery and relies on the gas engine to generate electricity to give it decent range. The Volt can't have a big battery because of the size and weight (and cost) since it needs a complete engine/fuel/cooling/exhaust system.

The other half is simplicity, the electric motor has two bearings and a couple sets of brushes (for a common dc motor) that can wear out. Sure the transmission/brakes/steering etc stay and will continue to require maintenance, but the electric motor replaces how many mechanical parts of the gas engine and related systems?

AScholtes

Do share... link?

Robin W.

http://electricporsche.ca

So far it's mostly been about finding all the pieces and making sure I have everything to make a complete system, and lots of math and caculations. The motor goes in this weekend, about time after 1 1/2 years of research and planning.

I'm about 3 months behind schedule since I took the engine out of my '86 donor and fixed it up and put it in my '83, got it running, fixed up the interior, fixed about 100 little problems with the car and now I have a decent car for my fiance. I had planned to sell the engine alone and just take the manual rack out of the '83 and get rid of it...... but she wanted it and who am I to say no to keeping another 944.

Van

Neat site, Robin!