Frankfurt 2009: E-Wolf e1, the no-compromises racing EV with a driver weight limit
The e1 and e2 are two lightweight sports cars that recall the Lotus 7, this time fitted to an electric drive. The models come from Germany, and are the result of the work of E-Wolf, the Saxony Lightweight Center and the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Polymer Technology at the Technical University of Dresden. Street-legal, the e1 is being introduced during the Frankfurt Motor Show. The e2 is just an idea at this time, and will arrive in two years.
The most remarkable features of the e1 are the light weight: 500 kg (1102 lb) and that it can only be driven by drivers that are no heavier than than 70kg (150lb, no comment). It uses a 110kW, quadripolar, liquid-cooled, AC induction motor (150hp) that propels the car to 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in less than five seconds and gives the e1 a maximum speed of 230 km/h and maximum torque of 250 Nm (185 lb-ft). The lithium-ion batteries, distributed along the car's floor, weigh only 84 kg and use a signature ceramic membrane that separates the anode from the cathode, giving the car a range over 300 km (200 mi). Want one? The custom cars sell for €150,000.
[Source: Auto news]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mtavel 10:21AM (9/16/2009)
Finally, a racecar tailored to supermodel waifs! A previously untapped demogaphic! Now, to get tickets to this season's Supermodel Superleggera Series...
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why not the LS2LS7? 10:40AM (9/16/2009)
It's a lie. You cannot get that kind of range from 180lbs worth of batteries. Not even with a driver that light and a car that small. And did these people who call this a "racing" EV tell the racing range? It's not going to be even close to 200 miles.
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Dave 10:43AM (9/16/2009)
I hope its true, but I seriously doubt it.
Chris H. 10:41AM (9/16/2009)
The Tesla Roadster is cheaper and has better specs. It can also carry a heavier driver.
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protomech 11:13AM (9/16/2009)
The Tesla's 450kg battery pack gives it a largely-theoretical 240 miles of driving range. "Typical" real-world driving seems to be around 150 miles and about 300 whr/mile.
Electric motorbikes can get around 100 whr/mile .. so at 20% of the battery weight, this car's batteries must either be twice as energy-dense as the tesla or the car must be twice as efficient as a lighter motorbike.. hm.
jake 4:33PM (9/16/2009)
@protomech
Actually that's just on "standard mode" (~80% charged); it usually predicts 180-190 miles in that mode.
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/tesla-roadster/3226-standard-mode-ideal-range.html
In range mode and driving the battery into limp mode probably will get you 200+.
LiveandLetDrive 11:21AM (9/16/2009)
Presumably the weight limit is just to make the performance numbers true, there's no way it is actually limited in any real sense to 70kg. What, do they have load cells in the seat that won't let the thing turn on? Will the wheels fall off? Ridiculous claim.
So... why is there a giant air intake for this electric-only vehicle? I know it needs a roll hoop but that looks very much like an intake to me.
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Sebastien Hubert 12:51PM (9/16/2009)
To cool the liquid that cools the motor ?
KarlInSanDiego 11:58AM (9/16/2009)
Ok, the design is more formula car than Lotus 7, but that said, the 7 (ie. Caterham Cd=0.7) has one of history's worst Cd for an otherwise extremely efficient design. If you drop the Lotus comparison and just consider open wheel formula cars, they stopped leaving the wheels hanging out there with no aero support from widened body a long time ago (1970s). No high efficiency design that I've seen has failed to wrap the wheels, so these guys are either genius, or didn't do their homework.
I too think the bold range claim is questionable given the declared weight of that battery.
But ultimately, we can't really call this a proper road car, any more then we could call an Ariel Atom a proper road car. If there's not even a bugscreen, you'd be commuting with a helmet.
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David Martin 9:14AM (9/17/2009)
This might be the battery used:
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/12/evonik-and-daim.html
Note the very high energy density of the EV variant - 0.2kw/kg, and high power density of 1.3kw/kg, although it is not entirely clear if this is at cell level or pack level.
On the face of it a 84kg battery might get up to 16.8kwh, and after making allowances for putting it in a pack, not draining it completely etc you might have around 10kwh available, so you would still have to get around 20 miles/kwh, or only 50 watts/mile!
So the only alternative I can see to make the figures work is some kind of experimental lithium/air battery, some of which use ceramic separators - which explains the air scoop on the front.
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ivan.reis1979 8:04PM (9/29/2009)
Sou trabalhador mas no momento estou parado
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