Synergy Innovations bringing electric MINI to Auto X Prize
Like BMW's official MINI E, but don't appreciate how the battery pack takes up most of the space behind the front seats? Synergy Innovations, one of the officially registered teams in the Automotive X Prize, is using a MINI as a basis for their prototype electric vehicle powertrain called the Synergy E Drive. The converted all-electric MINI, they claim, retains the "general appearance, boot, rear seats and full safety spec" (PDF). It was launched in London earlier this year.
The Synergy Innovations Electric MINI is meant to "demonstrate that electric drive vehicles can be high performance and fun to drive," the company claims. To that end, the car has a top speed of 95 mph and a range of between 70 and 90 miles from its 78 lithium polymer cells putting out 288V and three-phase AC induction motor. Thanks to Dick P. for the tip!
Gallery: Synergy Innovations Electric MINI
[Source: Synergy Innovations]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nrb 3:49PM (7/15/2009)
Am I the only one that thinks it's silly to allow electric vehicles in an mpg contest?
Yea, I know it's really mpge, but that's just hocus pocus.
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Serge 5:19PM (7/15/2009)
It's not only you. Organizers of Shell Eco Marathon are also of the same opinion. I suspect it is because EVs kick every other alternative vehicle ass in terms of efficiency.
Tim W 9:24PM (7/15/2009)
Yes, by all means, let customers have a choice of any car that gets better MPG ... as long as it still uses Gas. Remember, plugging into the grid is only going to drastically reduce emissions in the neighborhoods and cities where you live and work, that power still has to be generated somewhere; probably a coal powered plant. So what if most of those plants have to run 24/7 whether the power is needed or not, and would be polluting regardless, and wasting enough energy to power the next 10 years of adoption of electric cars before needing to think about building new plants...
Did you know that electricity kills people? It's true! Electric cars are the most dangerous things ever invented! There's no way to make safe or reliable electrical storage devices. Everyone that buys an EV today is buying an expensive rolling coffin!
Are you scared of EVs yet? Please?
RAN 10:22PM (7/15/2009)
I thought these guys were familiar... they worked on the PML 640hp Mini back in 2007.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10607246585/pml-builds-640hp-electric-mini
I'm sure this too is one top-notch conversion. I hope they find several OEMs to work with in the future.
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