The Tour de Sol Reports, 1999
Sponsored by
The AutoAuditorium System
from
Foveal SystemsA Fully Automatic, Multi-Camera System
that Produces Videos Without a Crew
Unfortunately, this set of reports was never finished. I still have the tapes of interviews. Maybe someday . . .
The following is copyright Michael H. Bianchi. Permission to copy is granted provided each Report is presented without modification and this notice is attached. For other arrangements, contact me at +1-973-822-2024 .
For more on the NESEA Tour de Sol, see the web page at
Official NESEA Tour de Sol information is available from the sponsor, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) at 413 774-6051 , and 50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 , and nesea@nesea.org . All media enquiries should be addressed to ...Jack Groh Groh Associates email: GrohPR@aol.com 401 732-1551 telephone 401 732-0547 fax 401 952-0886 cell/pager
Table of Contents
Report #1: The NESEA American Tour de Sol is coming.
Report #2: Categories, Scoring and Prizes
Report #3: SAE/NESEA TopTec on Hybrid vehicles
Report #4: 1999 NESEA American Tour de Sol Entrants (as of 3/1/99)
Report #5: The 1999 Route and Schedule
Report #6: Entrants as of 2 April
Report #7: Vehicles with Web Sites
Report #8: More Web Sites: Solar Tiger II
Report #9: The Magic of the Gathering
Report #10: Nissan Altra EV
Report #11: The Electric Bull
Report #12: NJ Venturer: First Fuel Cell Car in American Tour de Sol
Report #13: ParaDyne
Report #14: Solar Bolt
Report #15: Sunpacer
Report #16: Toyota RAV4-EV and Prius
Report #17: Acceleration Test Results
Report #18: C.A.T.S. (Clean Air To Spare)
Report #19: Electrifly
Report #20: Chrysler Epic
Report #21: Dodge Interpid ESX2 Concept Car
Report #22: Sunergy
Report #23: More on Electric Bull improvements
Report #24: Scoring: Winning the American Tour de Sol
Report #25: Technical Testing
Report #26: Monday's Results
Report #27: Kineticar III
Report #28: PV EV
Report #29: Sol Survivor IV
Report #30: Solar Black Bear
Report #31: Pole Position for Tuesday 25 May
Report #32: Pole Position for Wednesday 26 May
Report #33: Report #26 Formated: Monday's Results
Report #34: Pole Position for Thursday 27 May
Report #35: The Week So Far ...
Report #36: New York Power Authority CitiVan
Report #38: Finish Line Press Release
Report #39: Final Standings
Report #39: Report #37 was a Goof
Report #40: More Coming
Report #41: Acceleration and Autocross Results
Report #42: Score Components
Report #43: Green Score Details
Report #44: Helios the Heron IV
Report #45: MooRocco
Report #46: ERIDE
Report #47: Web Sites for Pictures and Teams
Report #48: Chevy S10
Report #49: Caballito Electric Scooter
Report #50: Kilowatt Kamel
Report #51: Sparky Spartan
Report #52: 2 Scooters from Singapore
Report #53: HEV Blazer and Slipstream
Report #54: Pictures on the Go on the Net
Report #55: Solar Tiger II
Report #56: HEV Blazer and Slipstream
Report #57: The Forces Are With Us
Report #58: Ovonic Solectria Force
Report #59: Electric Lion
Report #60: Pictures on the Go on the Net
Report #61: NFA Sol Machine II
Report #62: Solar Tiger II
Report #63: Artemis
Report #64: Who IS Gary Bettenhauser?
Report #65: The Goodyear Tire Van
Report #66: Helios Has Battery Trouble
Report #67: ... And Then They Change The Rules
Report #68: The Olympian
Report #69: A Sparrow, an MG, and 2 Henney Kilowatts Visit the NESEA Tour
Report #70: Sungo
Report #71: SuperForce
Report #72: Technical Testing Stories
Report #73: Viking 23
Report #74: Helping Your Competitor Compete
Report #75: Helios' Team Bus
Report #76: Orion Hybrid Bus
Report #77: The Piper on the Green
Report #1: The NESEA American Tour de Sol is coming.
It isn't even the end of winter yet, but it is time to start thinking about the 11th annual NESEA American Tour de Sol.
From Saturday, May 22nd, through Friday, May 28th, 1999, about 50 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles will wind their way from Waterbury, Connecticut to Lake George, New York, in the Northeast's premier road rally dedicated to demonstrating the practical value of vehicles that use imaginative energy systems and design to stretch the world's resources further.
NESEA is the North East Sustainable Energy Association, and their American Tour de Sol has been a show place for electric, solar-electric, and fuel-electric vehicles. Their mission? Well the name says it. To show the role sustainable energy systems have in our lives.
Once again, I will be going along for the entire trip, interviewing the teams and reporting the results.
This year there are five competing Categories:
Production Electric and Hybrid-Electric cars, trucks, and buses that are available for sale and lease today. As of this writing, there are 7 entrants.
Commuter Inovative vehicles built by students, individuals, and manufacturers that are optimized for daily use.
USDOE Hybrid Vehicles that use liquid or gaseous fuels in a heat engine or fuel cell in combination with an electric drive train to obtain long range, excellent economy, and ultra-low emissions. Sponsored by the United States Department of Energy
Solar Commuter Vehicles that are designed to meet daily transportation needs and optimized to get as much `fuel' as possible from solar panels fixed to the vehicle.
One-Person Electric and Hybrid-Electric commuters and motorcycles which serve as personal transportation.
Demonstration All vehicles not competing in the rally, such as bicycles, pre-production prototypes, neighborhood and off-road electric and hybrid vehicles.Those are pretty much the same categories as last year, but there are some differences. For one, there won't be human-hybrid (so called "Pasta Burners") competing over the same route as the cars, trucks, and buses. Nor will vehicles not designed for the 60+ mile legs be forced to either make major modifications or just drive until they drop. Instead, special events, suitable for the shorter range entrants will be created.
As of March 1st, the number of entrants, by Category, were:
7 Production 11 Commuter 10 USDOE Hybrid 2 Solar Commuter 2 One-Person 4 Demonstration
32 totalThe Demonstration Category will include vehicles from:
Nissan Altra EV GM Ovonic Chevy S-10 DaimlerChrysler EPIC minivan Toyota PriusAlthough the Demonstration Category vehicles will not be competing, they will be giving demonstration rides.
While other events are _races_ where getting there first is the way to win, the NESEA Tour defines winning in many ways that do not favor the fastest team. The NESEA Tour has long worked on getting real-world data from this event (there's that sustainability message again) and they have again worked very hard to do just that.
For example, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is generously offering their equipment and services to evaluate the efficiency and emissions of some of the Hybrid-Electric entrants.
Also, all the vehicles that plug-in will have digital AC kiloWatt-hour meters at the input-end of the charger. That, coupled with the DC kiloWatt-hour meter on the output of the battery will give us very good overall charge efficiency ratings (energy-out-of-the-battery over energy-into-the-charger).
And, as last year, NESEA and the Society of Automotive Engineers, the USDOE, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will host a SAE/NESEA Hybrid Vehicle Conference. Here, the pioneers of Hybrid-Electric Vehicle (HEV) technology, industry leaders, researchers, vehicle users, and government officials, will participate in presentations and panel sessions addressing key issues surrounding state-of-the-art HEVs. Participants will hear the latest news about emissions testing, components and system architectures for a variety of light-duty and heavy-duty applications, and will learn how many have already demonstrated extraordinary potential to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Information is on the web at:
http://www.sae.org/CALENDAR/toptecs.htm#hybrid or by calling 1-800-TEAM-SAESo stay tuned. Coming up in future reports will be the lists of entrants, with preliminary vehicle information, and, with luck, some early interviews with the teams.
Report #2: Categories, Scoring and Prizes
Winning is a strong motivater in humans, and the NESEA American Tour de Sol sees some intense competition, and some wonderful examples of generousity. In years gone past, teams down on their luck with a fried charger, or broken frame, or even dead motor controller have been helped out by their competitors. Many is the time when I've witnessed a team help another, even at the risk of loosing their position in the standings.
But many of the teams come to win, Win, WIN! And to feed that need NESEA and the sponsors come up with prizes.
NEW SCORING SYSTEM & PRIZES REWARD GREEN CARS WITH GOOD PERFORMANCE
A new, easy to understand scoring system will reward vehicles that are "green," and meet the rigorous demands of the buying public. All vehicles will be judged for reliability, acceleration and handling, as well as for fuel economy (efficiency) and emissions. In addition, range, consumer acceptability and percent-solar-fraction will be rewarded as appropriate.
As in past years, the point system will be based on Tour Miles, a combination of miles driven on the course, miles driven for building up total range (so called "laps"), plus merits for passing inspections readily and such, minus demerits for infractions of the rules and such. It would be good to remember that the NESEA Tour is an "open course" event, driven in the real world, over normal roads, on normal days. A certain amount of luck is involved, as traffic can range from light to parking lot conditions, and the course, while marked, is sometimes a navigational challenge. One wrong turn has sent some entrants on unwanted meanderings of the New England country side. Unlike races which reward driver skill at high speed, this more of a road rally that prizes those who are prepared and alert.
Trophies will be awarded for:
most Tour Miles of each category
overall winners of light duty, heavy duty, and one-person vehicles
greenest vehicles (the most efficient vehicles with low emissions)
best range
best acceleration
best handling (autocross)
best percent solar fraction
best customer acceptabilityas appropriate.
CASH PRIZES
ALABC - The Advanced Lead Acid Battery Consortium is offering $1,000
for the best vehicles using lead acid batteries.Blue Sky Club Sportmanship Awards - $1,000 for teams that demonstrate
exceptional sportsmanship and team spirit.Other cash prizes will be announced.
PAST NESEA American Tour de Sol RECORDS:
RANGE: Greatest distance travelled in a single day without recharging or refueling.
68.7 miles Heavy Duty Vehicle: Solectria CitiVan 1998
81 miles Motorcycle: Schiller Power Group 1995
143 miles Light Duty vehicle with lead acid batteries: Bolton HS with Trojan 1995
249 miles Light Duty production car with advanced storage: Solectria Force NMH with Ovonic NMH 1997
373 miles Light Duty pre-production vehicle with advanced storage: Solectria Sunrise with Ovonic NMH 1996FUEL EFFICIENCY: Electric energy consumption changed to Miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe)
19.7 MPGe Heavy Duty Vehicle: Solectria CitiVan (11,000lbs) 1998
58.7 MPGe Utility vehicle: Ford Ecostar 1995
70.7 MPGe 4-6 seater sedan: Solectria Sunrise 1995
82.8 MPGe Two-seater sedan: Ovonic-Solectria Force 1998
245 MPGe Motorcycle - Schiller Group's Erange 1995
Report #3: SAE/NESEA TopTec on Hybrid vehicles
As last year, NESEA and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) have organized a symposium associated with the NESEA American Tour de Sol US Electric Vehicle Championship. The details ...
HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES HERE AND NOWMay 26-27, Marriott Hotel, Albany, NY
Organized by: The Society of Automotive Engineers and the Northeast Sustainable Energy Assn
Sponsored by: U.S. DOE, NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, and the NYSTEC- Alternative Fuels Technology Center
OVERVIEWPioneers of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) industry have started to accumulate on-road experience, but still face many tough and sensitive challenges in designing and delivering affordable vehicles that meet regulator and consumer needs. This TOPTEC features presentations and panel sessions in which industry leaders, researchers, vehicle users and government officials address key issues surrounding state-of-the- art HEVs. Participants will hear the latest news about emissions testing, components and system architectures for a variety of light- duty and heavy-duty applications, and will learn how many have already demonstrated extraordinary potential to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
SAE and NESEA, with support from government and other organizations, have assembled speakers who play key roles in the emergence of HEVs. They will provide information gained from operational experience, and insights into future technical developments and market opportunities. As an alternative vehicle expert you have the opportunity to join an international audience to hear the latest findings and research the industry has to offer.
11th ANNUAL NESEA AMERICAN TOUR DE SOLThe Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) invites participants to visit the NESEA American Tour de Sol on Wednesday, May 26 during the TOPTEC lunch hour. NESEA has also arranged for an exclusive Ride & Drive and reception for TOPTEC participants Wednesday evening. The NESEA Tour showcases approximately 50 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles built by auto, bus and bike manufacturers, students and individuals. NESEA is the nation's leading regional association involved in promoting awareness, understanding and development of non-polluting renewable energy technologies for a robust economy.
A TOPTEC registration discount is available to those who would like to assist with technical testing at the NESEA Tour on Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23, 1999. Contact NESEA for more details. (413-774-6051 ext 18)
BY ATTENDING THIS TOPTEC, YOU WILL:- Hear about the latest HEV operational experience
- Learn about HEV design trade-offs, and how different system architectures are emerging to satisfy various use groups
- See hybrid emission testing results, and discuss evolving HEV emission test procedures
- Choose between two focused sessions: Light-Duty Vehicle and Medium/Heavy Duty Vehicles
- Network with colleagues and people in the HEV industry from all over the world
- Participate in an exclusive Ride & Drive and visit the NESEA American Tour de Sol
- Receive an educational reference book based on the speakers' presentations
YOU SHOULD ATTEND IF YOU ARE A(N):- Electric/hybrid engineer, manager, or related professional
- HEV component supplier
- Battery/Energy storage development engineer
- Decision maker in the HEV industry
- Transportation Executive
- Local, state, and federal government official, both domestic and international
- Fleet manager considering alternative vehicle options for your fleet
- University researcher or faculty involved in HEV or alternative fuel propulsion
- Public Interest representatives working on transportation issues
((Lifted from the NESEA web site. Mike Bianchi))
Report #4: 1999 NESEA American Tour de Sol Entrants (as of 3/1/99)
As of the first of March, here are the 1999 NESEA American Tour de Sol Entrants, by category.
((This is a bit dated, I know. I'm supposed to get the latest list very shortly. I'll update then. Mike Bianchi))
Abbreviations used below:
CNG Compressed Natural Gas (aka Methane) HEV Hybrid-Electric Vehicle LPG Liquid Petroleum Gas (aka Propane) LiIon Lithium-Ion battery NiCad Nickel-Cadmium battery NMH Nickel Metal Hydride battery PbA Lead-Acid battery TBA to be announced
PRODUCTION CATEGORY
Ford Ranger (NMH)
CMEEC & Northeast Utilities, Norwich, CTRAV4 (SUV, Panasonic NMH)
Toyota Motor Sales and HS team, Torrance, CATBA, (Solectria Force, PbA)
The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury, CTOvonic Solectria Force (Ovonic, NMH)
Ovonic Battery Company , Troy, MINordic Challenger (Solectria Force, Ovonic NMH)
EVermont/Solectria,Montpelier, VTSolectria NiCad Force, (SAFT NiCad)
Connecticut Partership, Windsor, CTSolectria CitiVan (PbA)
New York Power Authority, New York, NY
DEMONSTRATION CATEGORY
Altra EV, (Sony LiIon)
Nissan North America, Gardina, CAChevy S-10 (GM Ovonic NMH)
GM Ovonic & New Hampshire Technical Institute)EPIC minivan (TBA)
DaimlerChrysler, Auburn Hills, MIPrius, (Hybrid sedan, Gasoline + Panasonic NMH)
Toyota Motor Sales, USA,Torrance, CA
COMMUTER CATEGORY
Electric Bull (Porsche 914, Trojan PbA)
Shadow Mountain Electric Matadors,Phoenix, AZKilowatt Kamel (Chevy S-10, Trojan PbA)
Spartan EV Racing Team, Phoenix, AZMooRocco, (1984 VW Scirocco, Trojan PbA)
Vermont Technical College, RandolphCenter, VTResponse II E (Purpose Built, TBA)
Response TLU, Southfield, MIShocker IV (Toyota Tercel, Douglas PbA)
NEAT, Conway, NCSolar Black Bear (Chevy S-10, Trojan PbA)
U of Maine Solar Vehicle Team,Orono, MESparky Spartan (Tercel, Trojan PbA)
Spartan EV Racing Team, Phoenix, AZSpeed RAMP 320 (Saturn SL, Kummerow Zinc-Air)
West Philadelphia Soljourners,Phil, PASungo (purpose-built, Ovonic NMH)
SEV of New Hampshire Technical Institute,Concord, NHThe Olympian (Ford Escort, PbA)
Pirates, Cinnaminson, NJUEHS Solar Tiger (Conversion, Trojan PBA)
Solar Tiger Team, Endicott, NY
HYBRID CATEGORY
E.D. (Ford Taurus, Ovonic NMH+Diesel)
Current Advantage, Southfield, MIElectric Lion (Ford Escort, PbA+LPG)
Penn State SAE HEV Team, University Park,PAGarnet One (sedan, Trojan PbA +CNG)
Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PAKineticar III (Pick-up, Trojan PbA +LPG)
CSERT-NVCTC, Waterbury, CTSlipstream, (Purpose-built, PbA + CNG)
Cornell University, Ithica, NYTBA, (Chevy Blazer, Hawker PbA)
Cornell University, Ithica, NYTBA, (TBA)
Ovonic Battery Company, Troy, MINJ Venturer, (Solectria Force with H-Power fuel Cell)
Project New Jersey Venture, Trenton, NJTulsa Paradyne (Geo Metro, PbA+RFG)
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OKViking 23 (Purpse-built, SAFT NiCad + RFG)
Team Viking 23, Bellingham, WA
SOLAR COMMUTER CATEGORY
Helios the Heron VI (VW Van, PbA)
Riverside School, Lyndonville, VTSol Survivor (purpose-built)
Monadnock Solar Racing Team, Peterboro, NH
ONE-PERSON CATEGORY
Ovonic Electric (Scooter, TBA)
Ovonic Battery Company, Troy, MISunpacer #92, (purpose-built, Deka PBA)
C-M Sunpacer Tech Team, Cato, NY
On holdDUETS Bus (40 foot, HEV Diesel)
NovaBus Inc., Roswell, NM
Of particular interest (to me, anyway) is the possibility of a fuel-cell hybrid-electric car being in the NESEA Tour! ((Go New Jersey! My home state.)) H-Power is from Bellville NJ (www.hpower.com), and the the car is being a project of the NJ Department of Transportation.
Report #5: The 1999 Route and Schedule
The NESEA American Tour de Sol U.S. Electric Vehicle Championship follows a regular pattern. On even number years it tends to visit major cities, like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and/or Washington DC and paralleling the major highways. (Some of the more experimental and exotic vehicles cannot sustain the minimum speeds of the Interstate highways.) On the odd-numbered years, it travels more around the country side, visiting smaller communities where it often receives the most grand welcomes. Such is the route this year.
The NESEA Tour is an "open course" event. As part of its mission to promote the practical use of electric transportation, the teams drive their entries on the normal roads, under normal conditions, in normal traffic. So those of you in the Western Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and eastern New York area should plan a visit to one of the public displays, or to camp along the side of the road and cheer your favorite teams along. Fair warning: these events are subject to change, so plan to be flexible. I'll update the schedule as it changes.
From the Drivers' Manual:
Saturday, May 22
Waterbury CT - Library Park and Grand Street "Transportation: Past, Present, & Future Festival" Entertainment, Food, Exhibits Display and Technical Testing: 10 am - 6 pm Junior Solar Sprint Competition: 11 amSunday, May 23
Waterbury CT - Library Park and Grand Street "Transportation: Past, Present, & Future Festival" Entertainment, Food, Exhibits Display and Technical Testing: 10 am - 5 pm Junior Solar Sprint Competition: 11 amMonday, May 24
Waterbury CT - Library Park and Grand Street Tour de Sol Display 8 am - 10 am Tour de Sol Starting Ceremony 9:30 am Route to Hartford CT: Route 322E through Marion CT Southington CT Route 10N to Route 364E through Berlin CT Route 71N to Route 71A North through Kensington CT Route 7N through Newington CT West Hartford CT Route 173S (32 miles)
Hartford CT - Bushnell Park Electric Shuttle Bus from Capital Building Food, Exhibits Tour de Sol Display 11:30 am - 3:30 pm Media Event (to be announced) Route to Torrington CT: Route 4W through West Hartford CT Farmington CT Unionville CT Burlington CT Harwinton CT (29 miles)Tuesday, May 25
Torrington CT - Torrington High School Tour de Sol Display 7:30 am - 10 am Route to Pittsfield MA: Route 4W through Goshen CT Route 63 N through Cornwall CT Huntsville CT Route 7N through Canaan CT Great Barrington MA Stockbridge MA Lee MA Lenox MA (55 miles)
Pittsfield MA - Pittsfield Town Common Junior Solar Sprint 10 am Food, Exhibits, Entertainment Tour de Sol Display 11:15 am - 4 pm Media Event (to be announced) Route to New Lebanon NY Route 20W through Hancock MA (14 miles)Wednesday, May 26
New Lebanon NY - Lebanon Valley Dragway Acceleration Tests (Not Open To Public) Route to Albany NY Route 20W through Brainard NY Nassau NY Schodack NY East Greenbush NY (37 miles)
Albany NY - Empire State Plaza Food, Exhibits Tour de Sol Display 11 am - 3:30 pm Route to Shaker High School Route 9 (4 miles)Thursday, May 27
Latham NY - Shaker Jr High School Display for Colonie District Schools 7:45 am - 10 am Route to Saratoga Springs NY: Route 9N through Watervliet NY Latham NY Cohoes NY Route 9R N to Route 470N to Route 32N through Waterford NY Route 4N (along the Hudson River) through Halfmoon NY Mechanicville NY Stillwater NY Route 423N to Route 8P N to Route 9N (37 miles)
Saratoga Springs NY - Congress Park Tour de Sol Display 11:30 am - 6:30 pm Media Event 1:30 pm Range Event 1:30 pm - 6:00 pmFriday, May 28
Saratoga Springs NY - location to be announced Tour de Sol Display to be announced Route to Lake George NY Route 9N through Wilton NY Moreau NY Glens Falls NY Queensbury NY (28 miles)
Lake George NY - Fort William Henry Tour de Sol Display 10:30 am - 4 pm Autocross Event 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm run by The Mohawk-Hudson Region Sports Car Club of America
Report #6: Entrants as of 2 April
From a NESEA e-mail to the teams ... looks like a pretty nice bunch of entrants.
1999 NESEA AMERICAN TOUR DE SOL ENTRANTS (as of 4/2/99)
CNG = Compressed Natural Gas (Methane) H2 = Hydrogen LiIon = Lithium Ion LPG = Liquid Petroleum Gas (Propane) NiCad = Nickel Cadmium NiMH = Nickel Metal Hybdird battery PbA = Lead Acid Battery RFG = Reformulated Gasoline TBA = To Be Announced VRLA = Valve Regulated Lead AcidVeh.# Vehicle name, Team name, City, State
Vehicle description (battery manufacturer, chemistry)PRODUCTION CATEGORY 67 Solectria NiCad Force, Connecticut Partnership, Windsor, CT,
1995 Solectria Force (SAFT, NiCad)51 EPIC minivan, DaimlerChrysler, Chicago, IL,
EPIC minivan, (SAFT, NiMH)52 EPIC minivan, DaimlerChrysler, Chicago, IL,
EPIC minivan, (SAFT, NiMH)35 C.A.T.S. (Clean Air to Spare), DEC "Team Air C.AT.S.", Albany, NY,
Solectria Force (sedan, PbA)15 Nordic Challenger, EVermont/Solectria, Waterbury, VT,
Solectria Force (Gold Peak, NiMH)41 Solectria CityVan, NY Power Authority, New York, NY,
UBC van (East Penn, PbA)76 Ovonic Force, Ovonic Battery Co., Troy, MI,
Ovonic Force (Ovonic, NiMH)53 Toyota Prius, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL,
Toyota Prius (Panasonic NiMH + gasoline)30 Caballito Electric, Team Caballito Electric, Kailua, HI,
Purpose-built Scooter (Long, PbA)26 Ford Ranger EV, Team Ford, Hartford, CT,
Ford Ranger EV (GM Ovonic, NiMH)10 Sunergy, The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury, CT,
Solectria Force (Interstate, PbA)27 RAV4-EV, Toyota + High School students, Torrance, CA,
RAV4-EV (Panasonic, NiMH)DEMONSTRATION CATEGORY:
EPIC minivan, DaimlerChrysler, Chicago, IL, EPIC minivan, (SAFT, NiMH)
ESX2, DaimlerChrysler, Chicago, IL, Purpose-built Hybrid prototype
Chevy S-10, New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord, NH, Chevy S-10 (Ovonic, NiMH)
Altra EV (2), Nissan North America, Gardena, CA, Altra EV (Sony, LiIon)
Prius, Toyota, Torrance, CA, Toyota Prius (Panasonic NiMH + gasoline)COMMUTER CATEGORY 13 Electrifly, Enviromotive, Cannington, Ont,
Pontiac Firefly (SAFT NiCad)40 none, Palo Verde Electric Racing Team, Tucson, AZ,
1985 VW Cabriolet (Trojan, PbA)16 The Olympian, Pirates, Cinnaminson, NJ,
Ford Escort (Electrosource, PbA)
5 Response II E, Response LTU, Southfield, MI, Purpose-built (NiMH)19 Sungo, SEV of New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord, NH,
Purpose-built (Ovonic, NiMH)32 Electric Bull, Shadow Mtn. Electric Matadors, Phoenix, AZ,
Porsche 914 (Trojan, PbA)61 Solar Bolt, Solar Bolt Team, Bolton, CT,
1974 Fiat (Trojan, PbA)50 Sparky Spartan, Spartan EV Racing Team, Phoenix, AZ,
Porsche 914 (Trojan 125, PbA)17 Kilowatt Kamel, Spartan EV Racing Team, Phoenix, AZ,
Chevy S-10 (Trojan 125, PbA)37 UEHS Solar Tiger, Union-Endicott Solar Tiger, Endicott, NY,
Purpose-built (Trojan, PbA)US DOE HYBRID CATEGORY 14 Slipstream, Cornell University HEV Team, Ithaca, NY,
Purpose-built (Champion GNB, PbA + CNG)24 to be named, Cornell University HEV Team, Ithaca, NY,
Chevrolet Blazer (Hawker PbA + gasoline)18 Kineticar III, CSERT-NVCTC, Waterbury, CT,
Chevy S-10 (Trojan, PBA + LPG)
7 Paradyne, Hurricane Motorworks, Tulsa, OK, 1992 GeoMetro (Concord PbA + RFG)
4 E.D., LTU Hybrid Drive, Southfield, MI, 1996 Ford Taurus (Ovonic NiMH + diesel)25 Ovonic Prius, Ovonic Battery Co., Troy, MI,
Toyota Prius conversion (Ovonic NiMH + gasoline)
8 Electric Lion, Penn State SAE HEV Team, University Park, PA, 1992 Ford EscortWgn )(New Castle PbA + LPG)11 Power Lion, Penn State SAE HEV Team, University Park, PA,
1984 Pontiac Fiero (Ultracapacitors + RFG)
9 New Jersey Venturer, Project New Jersey Venture, Trenton, NJ, Solectria Force (SAFT NiCad + H2 Fuel Cell)28 Garnet One, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA,
Chevy Beretta (Trojan PbA + CNG)23 Viking 23, Team Viking 23, Bellingham, WA,
Purpose-built (Saft NiCad + RFG)SOLAR COMMUTER 38 Artemis, BHS FAMS '00, Brighton, MI,
Purpose-built (Johnson Controls VRLA, PbA)93 Helios the Heron VI, Riverside School, Lyndonville, VT,
1971 VW Van, (Deka Dominator, PbA)83 Sol Survivor IV, Sol Survivor, Peterborough, NH,
Purpose-built (Interstate, PbA)20 Solar Black Bear, U. Maine Solar Vehicle Team, Orono, ME,
Chevy S-10 (Trojan, PbA)ONE-PERSON CATEFORY 92 Sunpacer, C-M Sunpacer Tech Team, Cato, NY,
Purpose-built (Deka Dominator, PbA)36 Futura EVs, GFR Technologies, Singapore,
Motor scooter (Gold Peak, NiMH)
3 Ovonic Electric Scooter, Ovonic Battery Co., Troy, MI, Scooter (Ovonic, NiMH)89 Envirocycle III, Solar Electric Research Team, East Haddam, CT,
Suzuki motorcycle (GNB, PbA)58 N.F.A Sol Machine II, Team Newburgh, NY USA, Newburgh, NY,
Purpose-built (PM Batteries, PbA)WAITING LIST (in waiting list order)
6 ERIDE, ERAD (Electric Racing and Auto Design), Phoenix, AZ, TBA (conversion 1994 Chevy s-10,Trojan, PBA)66 ReCharger, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT,
1984 Ford Ranger (Trojan, PbA)31 PEV-1, Panther EV Club, Pittsburgh, PA,
1975 ElCar Zagati Purpose-built (Trojan PbA)33 Metro P.E.P, Solar Electric Research Team, East Haddam, CT,
TBA (Trojan PbA + LPG)59 59 Berkeley, Boston University/TBA, Hanover, MA,
1959 Berkeley (Berkeley)
TBA, Team New England, Boston, MA
Report #7: Vehicles with Web Sites
It's the age of the Internet (sung to the tune for "The Age of Aquarius"), and as you might expect, many entrants have World Wide Web sites for their vehicles and/or sponsors. For those interested in chasing down details on the vehicles, these sites can be either very informative, or a bit of a disappointment. (As anyone who tries to keep a web site current knows, it is an unending and often thankless task.) Still, the surfers among you may enjoy reading about and seeing pictures of some of the vehicles we are expecting for the NESEA Tour.
Vehicle Number 3 Vehicle Name Ovonic Electric Scooter Category ONE PERSON CATEGORY Team Name Ovonic Battery Co. Organization Ovonic Battery Company Town Troy State MI Description Scooter (Ovonic, NiMH) www http://www.ovonic.com
Vehicle Number 8 Vehicle Name Electric Lion Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name Penn State SAE HEV Team Organization Penn State Society of Automotive Engineers Town University Park State PA Description 1992 Ford Escort Wagon (New Castle PbA + LPG) www http://www.lf.psu.edu/sae/hev
Vehicle Number 9 Vehicle Name New Jersey Venturer Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name Project New Jersey Venture Organization Project New Jersey Venture Town Pennington State NJ Description Solectria Force (SAFT NiCad + H2 Fuel Cell) www http://www.civeng.rutgers.edu/venturer/
Vehicle Number 11 Vehicle Name Power Lion Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name Penn State SAE HEV Team Organization Penn State Society of Automotive Engineers Town University Park State PA Description 1984 Pontiac Fiero (Ultracapacitors + RFG) www http://www.lf.psu.edu/sae/hev
Vehicle Number 12 Vehicle Name MooRocco Category COMMUTER CATEGORY Team Name Vermont Technical College Organization Vermont Technical College Town Randolph Center State VT Description 1984 VW Scirocco (Trojan, PbA) www http://www.vtc.vsc.edu/clubs/solar/
Vehicle Number 14 Vehicle Name Slipstream Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name Cornell University HEV Team Organization Cornell University HEV Town Ithaca State NY Description Purpose-built (Champion GNB, PbA + CNG) www http://www.ee.cornell.edu/~hev
Vehicle Number 15 Vehicle Name Nordic Challenger Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Team Name EVermont/Solectria Organization EVermont/Solectria Town Waterbury State VT Description Solectria Force (Gold Peak, NMH) www http://www.evermont.org
Vehicle Number 18 Vehicle Name Kineticar III Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name CSERT-NVCTC Organization Naugatuck Valley Comm Tech College (NVCTC) Town Waterbury State CT Description Chevy S-10 (Trojan, PBA + LPG) www http://www.nvctc5.commnet.edu
Vehicle Number 20 Vehicle Name Solar Black Bear Category SOLAR COMMUTER CATEGORY Team Name U. Maine Solar Vehicle Team Organization University of Maine Town Orono State ME Description Chevy S-10 (Trojan, PbA) www http://www.ume.maine.edu/solar
Vehicle Number 24 Vehicle Name to be named Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name Cornell University HEV Team Organization Cornell University Town Ithaca State NY Description Chevrolet Blazer (Hawker PbA + gasoline) www http://www.ee.cornell.edu/~hev
Vehicle Number 25 Vehicle Name Ovonic Prius Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Team Name Ovonic Battery Co. Organization Ovonic Battery Company Town Troy State MI Description Toyota Prius conversion (Ovonic NMH + www http://www.ovonic.com
Vehicle Number 30 Vehicle Name Caballito Electric Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Team Name Team Caballito Electric Organization Personal Electric Transports, Inc. Town Kailua State HI Description Purpose-built Scooter (Long, PbA) www http://www.evpet.com
Vehicle Number 35 Vehicle Name C.A.T.S. (Clean Air to Spare) Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Team Name DEC "Team Air C.A.T.S." Organization NYSDEC Town Albany State NY Description Solectria Force (sedan, PbA) www http://www.dec.state.ny.us
Vehicle Number 41 Vehicle Name Solectria CitiVan Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Team Name NY Power Authority Organization New York Power Authority Town New York State NY Description Solectria Citivan (East Penn, PbA) www http://www.nypa.gov
Vehicle Number 58 Vehicle Name N.F.A Sol Machine II Category ONE PERSON CATEGORY Team Name Team Newburgh, NY USA Organization N.F.A Sol Machine Town Newburgh State NY Description Purpose-built (PM Batteries, PbA) www http://www.solmachine.org
Vehicle Number 67 Vehicle Name Solectria NiCad Force Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Team Name Connecticut Partnership Organization Rideshare Company (The) Town Windsor State CT Description 1995 Solectria Force (SAFT, NiCad) www http://www.rideshare.com/ev
Vehicle Number 76 Vehicle Name Ovonic Force Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Team Name Ovonic Battery Co. Organization Ovonic Battery Company Town Troy State MI Description Ovonic Force (Ovonic, NiMH) www http://www.ovonic.com
Report #8: More Web Sites: Solar Tiger II
From: Pete Hatton <phatton@stny.rr.com> Subject: #37 UEHS Solar Tiger website
UEHS Solar Tiger #37 also has a web site http://solartiger.dhs.org.We plan on having updates on our site during the TdS. We will have an onboard computer during the tour logging data from the E-Meter. Examples of this can be seen athttp://solartiger.dhs.org/solar2/data_collection.htmlWe also have a nearly complete photo album of last year's tour showing all but 6 vehicles.We have made several improvements to our vehicle during the lastyear. The most important is replacing our charger which gave out on us during the first night of last years Tour de Sol. We have also redone our steering/suspension system to improve handling. The car is actually ready for driving now so we will be able to put a few miles on it before the tour to test it. In previous years we only had about a week before the tour for testing. From our short drives we have already done we estimate that we should easily be able to go 60 miles, much better than our longest run at last years tour of only 30 miles.
Vehicle Number 37 Vehicle Name Solar Tiger II Category COMMUTER CATEGORY Team Name UEHS Solar Tiger Organization Union-Endicott High School Town Endicott State NY Description Modified Sebring-Autocycle Zzipper (Trojan PbA) www http://solartiger.dhs.org
Pete Hatton Technical Advisor UEHS Solar Tiger http://solartiger.dhs.org
Report #9: The Magic of the Gathering
I have a fond memory from when I was about 10 years old in 1958. My family was in Atlantic City NJ and there was a Car of the Future on display; I think it was by GM. I was pushed up against the velvet rope, firing questions at the guy explaining it, and he was dipping into my popcorn, giving me discounts on my purchase of the car for every handful. Here was a car with electrically powered doors and windows that opened by remote control, low, sleek body lines, air conditioning and all sorts of things that made it seem futuristic. It would be interesting to compare that car with what has actually happened in the intervening 40 years. I see some vans now offer wireless remote control of the sliding door, but not of the driver's door as on the car which I'm still waiting for, with my discounts.
Saturday, on the first day of the gathering of the electric vehicle tribe on the fields of Library Park in Waterbury Connecticut the future is becoming the present. Some of the future is being created by the corporations who are brining their electric and hybrid electric cars, vans and trucks here. Toyota, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and Nissan are expected to be here. We are expecting teams from small companies from as far away as Hawaii and Singapore, colleges and high schools as far away as Washington state, Arizona and Michigan, and a middle school (4th through 8th grades) from Vermont.
We expect vehicles that use lead-acid, nickel-cadmimum, nickel metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries. We expect hybrids that burn gasoline, reformulated gasoline (RFG), compressed natural gas (CNG, aka methane), and liquid petroleum gas (LPG, aka propane), and a hybrid that doesn't burn (but does oxidize) hydrogen. We expect cars, trucks, vans, and motor scooters. And a visit (in Hartford and Albany) from a hybrid bus. We expect conversions of gasoline vehicles and things built from the ground up. We expect teams defending past titles, and teams trying to take them from themselves. We'll reacquaint ourselves with old friends and make new ones.
Some come along to Waterbury if you can, or anywhere along the route, and see the future being built before your eyes. For those unable to visit the tour, these Reports will be your eyes and ears.
From the Drivers' Manual:
Saturday, May 22
Waterbury CT - Library Park and Grand Street "Transportation: Past, Present, & Future Festival" Entertainment, Food, Exhibits Display and Technical Testing: 10 am - 6 pm Junior Solar Sprint Competition: 11 amSunday, May 23
Waterbury CT - Library Park and Grand Street "Transportation: Past, Present, & Future Festival" Entertainment, Food, Exhibits Display and Technical Testing: 10 am - 5 pm Junior Solar Sprint Competition: 11 amMonday, May 24
Waterbury CT - Library Park and Grand Street Tour de Sol Display 8 am - 10 am Tour de Sol Starting Ceremony 9:30 am Route to Hartford CT: Route 322E through Marion CT Southington CT Route 10N to Route 364E through Berlin CT Route 71N to Route 71A North through Kensington CT Route 7N through Newington CT West Hartford CT Route 173S (32 miles)
Hartford CT - Bushnell Park Electric Shuttle Bus from Capital Building Food, Exhibits Tour de Sol Display 11:30 am - 3:30 pm Media Event (to be announced) Route to Torrington CT: Route 4W through West Hartford CT Farmington CT Unionville CT Burlington CT Harwinton CT (29 miles)Tuesday, May 25
Torrington CT - Torrington High School Tour de Sol Display 7:30 am - 10 am Route to Pittsfield MA: Route 4W through Goshen CT Route 63 N through Cornwall CT Huntsville CT Route 7N through Canaan CT Great Barrington MA Stockbridge MA Lee MA Lenox MA (55 miles)
Pittsfield MA - Pittsfield Town Common Junior Solar Sprint 10 am Food, Exhibits, Entertainment Tour de Sol Display 11:15 am - 4 pm Media Event (to be announced) Route to New Lebanon NY Route 20W through Hancock MA (14 miles)Wednesday, May 26
New Lebanon NY - Lebanon Valley Dragway Acceleration Tests (Not Open To Public) Route to Albany NY Route 20W through Brainard NY Nassau NY Schodack NY East Greenbush NY (37 miles)
Albany NY - Empire State Plaza Food, Exhibits Tour de Sol Display 11 am - 3:30 pm Route to Shaker High School Route 9 (4 miles)Thursday, May 27
Latham NY - Shaker Jr High School Display for Colonie District Schools 7:45 am - 10 am Route to Saratoga Springs NY: Route 9N through Watervliet NY Latham NY Cohoes NY Route 9R N to Route 470N to Route 32N through Waterford NY Route 4N (along the Hudson River) through Halfmoon NY Mechanicville NY Stillwater NY Route 423N to Route 8P N to Route 9N (37 miles)
Saratoga Springs NY - Congress Park Tour de Sol Display 11:30 am - 6:30 pm Media Event 1:30 pm Range Event 1:30 pm - 6:00 pmFriday, May 28
Saratoga Springs NY - location to be announced Tour de Sol Display to be announced Route to Lake George NY Route 9N through Wilton NY Moreau NY Glens Falls NY Queensbury NY (28 miles)
Lake George NY - Fort William Henry Tour de Sol Display 10:30 am - 4 pm Autocross Event 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm run by The Mohawk-Hudson Region Sports Car Club of America
Report #10: Nissan Altra EV
A number of vehicles are coming to the NESEA Tour as demonstration vehicles. While they will not be competing, they will be on display at all the public events.
Nissan North America, Gardena CA, has brought a 1998 Nissan Altra EV. This is the first EV in the NESEA to run on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are light weight and energy efficient. The Altra EV claims a useful driving range of 80 to 100 miles per charge.
I spoke with Rick Rienhard of Nissan Research and Development. "It uses the Sony lithium ion batteries with the cobolt metallic. This is the 30th vehicle produced, the last of the demo fleet." They are leased to employees and some public utility companies. In 2000, they'll build 100 more and lease those through municipalities and some employees. These cars are used to collect data on how they are driven and operate.
During the design process for the Altra, they designed for alternative fuel applications. So this chassis and body is used for the Altra and a Japanese market car with a 4 cylinder gasoline motor.
A demonstration fleet of hybrid cars is just being started in Japan. There will be 20 vehicles which will be driven a half a million miles during the program. Rick thought they are called a "Tino".
Report #11: The Electric Bull
The returning champion from Phoenix Arizona is the `Electric Bull', a Porsche 914 gone electric. Having won first place in the Commuter Category in the 1998 NESEA Tour, they went home and won a first in the first Tour de AZ (Arizona).
Vehicle Number 32 Vehicle Name Electric Bull Category US DOE Commuter Category Organization Shadow Mountain High School Electric Car Club Team Name Shadow Mtn. Electric Matadors Program Name Shadow Mtn. Electric Matadors Town Phoenix State AZ Description Porsche 914 (Trojan, PbA) new this year? returning car and team No People in Project 13 Months to Build 1 1/2 Motor Advance DC; 9.5"; 21kw cont./63kw peak Batteries Trojan/1300 lbs.; PbA; 21,000 wh/120 v Controller Curtis; 500 Amp Charger Offboard Home-built; Transformer; Rectifier PV Array type amount 5.1 w; Siemens; Monocrystalline Construction 1972 Porsche 914; Steel Frame; Steel Body Conversion 1972 Porsche 914 Dimensions LxWxH 7' 9"; 4' 6"; 3' 5" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 75 Range miles 90 Weight pounds 3000 Mfg GVW 2800 Capacity pounds 400 Brakes Front Disc ; Rear Disc; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Michelin; Proxima Program blurb The Shadow Mountain Electric Bull was built by the students in the club with the help of our advisor Michael Golden. We have a Porsche 914 that has an advanced DC 9.1 motor that is powered by 20 Trojan PbA batteries. We also have a Curtis 550 amp controller. Shadow Mountain took first place in the Commuter Category at the 1998 NESEA American Tour de Sol.When I asked Michael Golden what his students have done to improve the car for the 1999 NESEA Tour, he said they added fender skirts, made some other aerodynamic changes and bought new low rolling resistance tires.
The Tour de AZ proved a good testing ground for the `Electric Bull' improvements. It has rules very similar to the NESEA Tour. "It ran smooth; it ran just like this event. We had two days of range events, which I really liked, instead of just one day. We even had a good rain day." (Last year's Tour de Sol was very, very, very wet.) They finished up at the a big merchant's association spring street fair and had 75,000 people there. (To get in touch with the Tour de AZ, call Michael Golden at 602-524-7699 or Jesse James or 602-968-8068)
The prize for winning the Tour de AZ was a paid entry fee to the NESEA Tour de Sol, but `Electric Bull' already had one for winning in the 1998 NESEA Tour. So they donated their entry to the Palo Verde team, #40 `PV EV'.
Report #12: NJ Venturer: First Fuel Cell Car in American Tour de Sol
In last year's NESEA Tour, the first fuel-cell powered hybrid vehicle was entered, but it didn't come from any of the expected sources nor in the expected form. It was a hybrid fuel-cell/battery/human tricycle entered by Mount Everett Regional High School in Sheffield MA. Yes! A High School!
Well, this year the first fuel-cell powered _car_ to show up is from a consortium of state government, industry and educational institutions.
Vehicle Number 9 Vehicle Name New Jersey Venturer Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Organization Project New Jersey Venture Team Name Team New Jersey Town Trenton State NJ Description Solectria Force (SAFT NiCad + H2 Fuel Cell) new this year? returning car and team No People in Project 200 Months to Build 6 Motor Solectria; AC Induction; 24kw cont./42 kw pk Batteries 27 SAFT/700 lbs.; NiCad; 15,600 wh/156 v series Controller Solectria; AC Inverter Fuel Cell H-Power, 5 kWatt, 125 pounds, 12" x 10" x 10" Charger Offboard Neocon; K&W high frequency charger PV Array type amount 18 w; Solarex; Polycrystalline Construction 1996 Geo Metro; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 13' 6"; 5' 8"; 4' 6" Hybrid H Power Fuel Cell; 5kw-Hydrogen No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 60 mph Range miles 400 Weight pounds 2700 Mfg GVW 2755 Capacity pounds 400 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear www http://www.civeng.rutgers.edu/venturer/ Program blurb The NJ Venturer, is a NJ state-owned Solectria Force electric vehicle equipped with a fuel cell Power Generator. The project team chose the Force, which is based on a GeoMetro, because it is a safe, reliable and energy efficient four-door car. The Force includes an AC motor/controller, drive system, regenerative braking system and a battery thermal management system. To minimize costs and help pave the way for fuel cell commercialization, a five kilowatt fuel cell was chosen as a "range extender." The vehicle will be equipped with advanced nickel cadmium batteries and 12 hydrogen bottles that will take the NJ Venturer over 400 miles at 45 mph.The web site has lots of pictures. It will also have daily updates from the Tour there.
The following is largely lifted from their web site and press reports ...
The vehicle concept was introduced by the NJ Department of Transportation's Technology Bureau. Consortium partners include NJ based technology firms with fuel cell, electronic integration and energy supply system expertise:
H Power Corporation (fuel cells) MG Industries (gas supply) Advanced Power Associates (power conversion) Neocon Technologies (system integrator) Fully Independent Residential Solar Technologies (energy systems) NWL Corporation (power supply systems) Diversatech (metal fabrication)Wenzel & Company of Pennington, NJ will furnish communications and marketing support.
Rutgers University's Center for Advanced Infrastructure Technology (CAIT) will provide technical and administrative support. Other institutional partners include:
Rowan University Burlington County College (BCC) New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Cinnaminson High School Hunterdon County Polytech Hunterdon Central High SchoolUniversity and school involvement is a very important part of Project Venturer. Students will receive classroom and "real world" experience. The education curriculum will include fuel cell and system introduction, system management, system diagnostics, aerodynamic modeling, thermal dynamics, fluid mechanics, control system design, component assembly/testing and integration.
From interviews ...
Mike Strizki first proposed the Venturer project 7 months ago, and has been working his tail off to make it happen ever since. Getting funding, sponsorships, partnerships, logistics, and the actual work on the car done has consumed the man. "I've donated about 3000 hours to this project in the past 7 months. I got about 3 hours sleep in the past 5 days."
Is the car running? "We drove it last night (Friday, 21 May). We had some stupid problems that would drive you crazy. We fired up the fuel cell last night and couldn't get any hydrogen pressure. 7 hours later we determined we had too much `in' pressure on the solenoid valve. All we had to do was turn down the pressure and the value was working fine again. We had the car up to 70 miles per hour last night on I84; it performed very well."
There a number of different voltage systems in the car. There's 12 Volts, 24 Volts, 38 Volts and 190 Volts in separate subsystems. A `buck' converter boosts the 38 Volts output from the fuel cell up to the 190 Volts of the NiCad battery pack, acting as a charger.
In addition the the traction system, they have made a number of structural changes. The center of gravity is now lower. Sway bars front and rear help stability, and an active air suspension in addition to the coil springs compensates for body roll in the curves and lets them adjust the riding height. They will use different levels when they run in the autocross and when they do their acceleration tests.
The fuel cell is under the front hood of the Geo, below the controller. "The fuel cell system, with tanks and everything, weighs a little over 300 pounds. The composite carbon fiber hydrogen tanks only weigh 9 pounds apiece." A fuel cell is totally quiet, but the air compressor made a bit of noise. They managed to tone it down considerably by putting a filter over the inlet.
They designed a water recovery system for the fuel cell. The air going in the fuel cell should be humid for maximum efficiency. Originally they carried 10 gallons of water to satisfy that need. But the "exhaust" from the fuel cell is pure water and steam. So their recovery system catches that, reduces the steam to water and stores it in the window washer tank. From their it is pumped back up to the main reservoir. (I hope no one puts window cleaner in the window washer tank!)
The team here for the NESEA Tour numbers 50 people, I'm told, between students, the technology companies, and NJ state. The team from Cinnaminson High School, #16 `The Olympian', are also part of Team New Jersey, so there are a lot of identical T-shirts here. Mike says that they will have a number of volunteers helping NESEA with Tour logistics.
Report #13: ParaDyne
Last year this team from Oklahoma showed up with parallel hybrid that proved to be quite successful taking 2nd place in the hybrid category.
Vehicle Number 7 Vehicle Name ParaDyne Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Organization University of Tulsa Team Name Hurricane Motorworks Town Tulsa State OK Description 1992 GeoMetro (Concord PbA + gasoline) new this year? returning car and team No People in Project 25 Motor Solectria ACgtx20; 144AC Inductor; 12kW cont./22kW peak Batteries Concord/416 lbs.; PbA; 6,000 Wh/144 V series Controller Solectria AC-320/Z-world; Vector Inverter Charger Zivan N63; high frequency solid state PV Array type amount 10.3 W; United Solar; Amorphous silicon Construction 1992 GeoMetro; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 12' 2"; 5' 1"; 4' 5" Hybrid Suzuki; 3 cyl-1.0L/parallel; gasoline/55mpg No of Passengers 4 Maximum Speed mph 85 Range miles ??? Weight pounds 2300 Capacity pounds 1000 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear Eagle GA; P185/65R14 Program blurb The TU ParaDyne is a parallel-hybrid vehicle based on a converted 1992 Geo Metro with a 1.0 liter engine and a 22kW electric motor. The University of Tulsa's team consists of 20 undergraduate mechanical and electrical engineers, one graduate student, and three faculty advisors.Matthew Norris told me about this year's improvements. "Last year we didn't have a braking system in EV mode. So we installed a vacuum system for that. We have an after-market ignition system we are testing for a company, that improved our fuel economy quite a bit. Highway mileage alone, on just the engine, is a little over 60 miles per gallon." They haven't tried to get numbers as a hybrid, "so this is going to be the first real test of the whole shebang.
Under the hood, the engine and the electric motor share the same automatic transmission. The engine is pushed back from the transmission housing by about a housing about 2.5 inches wide. It contains a toothed belt on an overrunning Dana sprague (spelling?) clutch. The clutch uses a series of interconnected cams around the shaft to engage and release the clutch. This is more stable than with a roller clutch.
The car is about 300 pounds lighter than last year, mostly due to new batteries that are a bit lighter.
Between Tour de Sols, the car is displayed to the public and Tulsa area schools. They have had Brownies Days at school and there have been two hundred brownies climbing in and out of the car. "They are starting a big technology development effort in the state of Oklahoma, funded by the state government. I'm sure this will take part in that."
Inside, the control system is still manual, although there is an effort to make it much more automatic with a digital control system. "If you just press the start button, you can drive away in hybrid mode. All those other switches and dials are for adjusting parameters, but you can just push the start button and go." If you want to switch to pure electric mode, just turn off the switch labeled "Ignition". Since there is an automatic transmission, the motor runs at an idle speed when the car is in pure electric mode, to keep the torque converter pumped up.
John Henshaw, who teaches mechanical engineering at University of Tulsa, told me he likes the hands on nature of these projects. "We have built hybrid electric vehicles for about seven years. We did the three years of the first HEV Challenge. Then we were out for two years, and now this is our second American Tour de Sol."
They are already working on the car they hope to bring next year. Called the Inferno HEV, it should meet the Partnership for New Generation of Vehicles specifications.
There is a brass plaque on the passenger door that says, "In Memory of Erin T. White, 1995 - 1997, TU HEV Team". She was a member of the team that died of cancer.
Report #14: Solar Bolt
The NESEA Tour has always had some pleasant surprises. Back in 1995, when the Bolton High School Team was last with us, they were surprising people by performing on par with the professional entries. At the end of the day, they had a lead-acid battery range of 143 miles per charge, and a low Watt-hours/mile number to match. You should have seen kids' faces light up when told that a high school team was giving the corporate teams a run for their money!
We have not seen them in 4 years, but they are back with the same car, but with a few improvements, "to try and hold our record and beat it."
Vehicle Number 61 Vehicle Name Solar Bolt Category COMMUTER CATEGORY Organization Bolton High School Team Name Solar Bolt Team Town Bolton State CT Description 1974 Fiat X19 (Trojan, PbA) new this year? returning team after 4 years absence No People in Project 50 Months to Build 1 year Motor Advanced DC; FB1-4001 Batteries Trojan 145/1450 lbs.; PbA; 22,000 Wh/120 V series Controller Curtis; 1231C-8601 Charger Offboard Solar CarCorp; AAE120-150RIBL PV Array type amount 11; Uni-solar; Amorphous Construction Fiat; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 12' 0"; 5' 4"; 4' 0" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 75 Range miles 142 Weight pounds 2892 Mfg GVW 2892 Capacity pounds 400 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Disc; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Bridgestone; P145/80R13 Program blurb The Solar Bolt Team of Bolton H. S. began in May 1992 with two donated Fiats. Lead by Roger Titus, the Industrial Technology teacher, and Tino Bertolini, the curriculum coordinator, the team researched the various aspects of the car, including the tires, motor, and battery selection. A new aerodynamic exterior was also designed. A core group of about 25 students and teachers worked throughout the year on the project. Support from various departments and from the local community has been essential to the success of the project.They have a new controller, with a 9 inch fan over it to cool it down. The solar panel on the back of the car run a pair of small cooling fans that blow towards the driver and passenger. "We keep our windows closed for aerodynamic purposes and its like you're baking in an oven." The interior is all done in black.
Major work went into updating the car for this year. The battery boxes were redone, as was the wiring, the brakes and master cylinder.
The secret to the Solar Bolt's range record was a fanatical attention to the details of achieving low aerodynamic drag and low friction. The car has an air dam at the front that diverts the relative wind around the car instead of under it. Moon disc hub caps continue the air flow down the side of the car. A long faring from the top of the roof line to the rear keeps the flow over the top of the car smooth. And turning the brake callipers pistons, making them perfectly round so they fully retract when not braking, ensure that the brake pads down rub on the rotors except when actually braking. The resulting lower loss of energy to drag and friction showed up in the efficiency performance of the car.
The car went to the annual EV race held in Arizona last March. There they took a first in range and a second in acceleration. Which brings up something I noticed with several of the cars that go to the Arizona Electric Races; they tend to not have on-board chargers. Instead they keep their chargers in the pits, which makes sense if the car's mission is to as fast as possible to get right back to where it started. Since the American Tour de Sol is a road rally from hither to yon, most other vehicles have their chargers on board.
There are a couple of personal thanks among the corporate logo decals on the car. One is to Mrs. Ruth Grose, who donated a considerable amount of money when the car was first built, and another is by Beverly Koerner in memory of Valentino Bertolini, who work on the the original car and died in 1997.
Report #15: Sunpacer
Jason Peckham, Travis Smith Art Bratt, Kristen Lunkenheimer are with Sunpacer, a perennial entrant in the American Tour de Sol. This is a solar racing car from the old school, with a large photovoltaic panel mounted on a sloped back and a rounded front. It looks like a very large door stop edge on three wheels; two in front and one in the back under the trailing thin edge. It hasn't changed much over the years in general appearance, but every year it does get some improvements. "We work on it all year getting it ready for this." This year there is new plastic in the windshield and "we worked on getting the brakes working a bit better."
Kristen is the driver this year, and she has a little over 100 miles of experience with the car.
Vehicle Number 92 Vehicle Name Sunpacer Category ONE PERSON CATEGORY Organization Cato-Meridian Sunpacer Tech Team Team Name C-M Sunpacer Tech Team Town Cato State NY Description Purpose-built (Deka Dominator, PbA) new this year? returning car and team No People in Project 5 Months to Build 18 Motor Advanced D.C.; 6hp; 6kW cont./8.5kW peak Batteries 6 Deka/480 lbs.; PbA; 6,000 Wh/36 V Series Controller Seveon; Solid State Charger Offboard Marquette; Transformer/ Rectifier PV Array type amount 300 W; Hoxan; Monocrystalline Construction Purpose-built; Steel tubing Frame; Aluminum Body Dimensions LxWxH 15' 6"; 4' 10"; 3' 6" No of Passengers 1 Maximum Speed mph 45 Range miles 75 Weight pounds 1080 Capacity pounds 250 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Disc; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Motorcycle wheels; 2.5" X 17" Program blurb The Sunpacer has been an ongoing engineering activity for Earl Billing's high school technology students at Cato- Meridian High School. Sunpacer has been in the NESEA Tour for 7 straight years in the 1-person commuter class and has finished first in 1992, 95, 96, 97 and 98. This year's team has three members returning from last year's squad: Art Bratt, Crew Chief, and driver Travis Smith. Joining Travis as a driver this year is Kristen Lunkenheimer. Jason Peckham is in his 2nd year as navigator.
Report #16: Toyota RAV4-EV and Prius
Toyota Motor Sales has been a major participant in the NESEA Tour for several years now, and is one of the Silver Sponsors of the 1999 event. This year they are bringing along students from North Torrance High School, near their corporate headquarters. Matt Ash, Daryl Ryan, and Lisa Garcia were picked by their principal to be the drivers of the RAV4-EV.
Vehicle Number 27 Vehicle Name RAV4-EV Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Organization Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc. Team Name Toyota & North Torrance H.S. Town Torrance State CA Description RAV4-EV (Panasonic, NiMH) new this year? returning car, new team Motor Toyota; Permanent Magnet Batteries Panasonic/992 lbs.; NiMH; 28,224wh/288 v Controller Toyota Charger Toyota Charger Offboard SCI PV Array type amount none Construction Toyota Rav4; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 13' 0"; 5' 7"; 5' 6" No of Passengers 5 Maximum Speed mph 79 Range miles 126 Weight pounds 3373 Capacity pounds 827 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Yokohama; 195/80R16 Program blurb Toyota has teamed up with high school students in California to make their educational, not only to the spectators, but also to the many students that will be involved. The students will demonstrate that "anyone" can drive the RAV4-EV, the only electric sport utility vehicle on the market. The RAV4-EV has a driving range of over 100 miles on a charge.I asked if they were involved in some sort of technology program that made them a natural for this? "No. We're just outstanding students," said Lisa. "Well, Matt is." He works a lot with computers and such.
They are only driving the RAV4-EV in the Tour de Sol, but they have had an opportunity to drive the Prius also. Daryl said, "It's a bit complicated because the steering wheel is on the right side (because it is set up as a Japanese car), which means the blinker is on the right side which means every time we signal to turn we turn the the windshield wiper on." Lisa also found that driving on the right made it difficult to judge her position on the road.
But they won't be driving the Prius. They'll handle the RAV4-EV, which is left hand drive, and also has you sitting high, looking out over the world. "Look for us to come out on top!" said Daryl.
Jeremy Barnes from Toyota was also there, and we spoke a bit about how the RAV4-EV is doing in the American fleet market place. "For calendar year 1998, it was the best selling EV in the nation." 358 vehicles were leased. It is available for sale at $42,000, or a single pay lease of $16,000 for 3 years, or $457 per month. "Every customer we have has chosen to lease it. For most fleet operations, leasing is preferable to leasing to purchasing. They don't want to get stuck with product down the road that they cannot use or maintain when the technology changes." Toyota was also the first manufacturer to meet the Memorandum of Agreement with the state of California to build 322 EVs. "We have over 375 on the road in California right now." Production, which was running at 1.5 vehicles a day, is ramping down as Prius production is ramping up.
The Prius will serve again as the Pace Car for the NESEA Tour.
Vehicle Name Prius Category DEMONSTRATION CATEGORY Organization Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A, Inc. Team Name Toyota & North Torrance H.S. Town Torrance State CA Description Prius (Panasonic, NiMH + gasoline) Motor Toyota; Permanent Magnet; 30 kW peak Batteries Panasonic/330 lbs.; NiMH; 6,000 Wh/288 V Controller Toyota Construction Toyota Prius; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 10' 0'; 4' 0"; 3' 5" Hybrid Toyota 1.5 liter; parallel; gasoline No of Passengers 5 Maximum Speed mph 95 Range miles 450 Weight pounds 3000 Capacity pounds 1200 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen"As we said in the past, battery electrics are probably never going to be a mainstream consumer product. Consumers are unwilling to put up with the trade offs of battery electrics: the range, the cost, the recharge time, the lost of that `freedom'. Hybrids give you all of that and more." Prius should prove to be clean running, quiet, very efficient, and refueling anywhere with 87 octane gasoline. It should go on sale throughout the United States in about a year.
Report #17: Acceleration Test Results
As of Monday afternoon, 24 May, the Acceleration Test was the only official test result from the tests performed on Saturday and Sunday. It was used to establish the Pole Positions for the start in Waterbury CT. The rest of the test results will be ready on Tuesday morning.
C Commuter Category H Hybrid Category O One Person Category P Production Category S Solar Commuter Category
Accelvehicle team veh # cat (sec) ___________________________________________________________________________ Kilowatt Kamel Spartan EV Racing Team 17 C 3.75 Sungo SEV of NHTI 72 C 3.76 Ford Ranger EV EV Rangers 26 P 3.78 Viking 23 Team Viking 23 23 H 3.84 Electrifly Enviromotive 13 C 3.89 PV EV Palo Verde Electric Racing 71 C 3.90 Nordic Challenger Evermont/Solectria 15 P 4.07 Solar Bolt Solar Bolt Team 61 C 4.10 Sol Survivor IV Monadnock Sol Survivor 83 S 4.12 Epic DaimlerChrysler 52 P 4.20 Epic DaimlerChrysler 51 P 4.28 Recharger U New Haven 66 C 4.30 Paradyne Hurricane Motor Works 7 H 4.35 CATS NYSDEC 35 P 4.37 Sparky Spartan Spartan EV Racing Team 50 C 4.45 ERIDE ERAD 6 C 4.47 Electric Bull Shadow Mtn Electric Matadors 32 C 4.63 Futura EVs GFR Technologies 36 O 4.66 MooRocco Vermont Technical College 12 C 4.70 Ovonic Solectria Force Ovonic Battery Co 76 P 4.75 The Olympian Pirates 16 C 4.84 Solectria NiCad Force CT Partnership 67 P 4.91 UEHS Solar Tiger Solar Tiger Team 37 C 4.97 RAV4 EV Toyota, North Torrance HS 27 P 5.00 Solar Black Bear UMaine Solar Vehicle Team 20 S 5.00 Caballito Electric Person Elec. Trans 30 P 5.03 HEV Blazer Cornell University HEV Team 24 H 5.18 Helios the Heron VI Riverside School 93 S 5.20 Sunergy Ethel Walker 10 P 5.26 Slipstream Cornell University HEV Team 14 H 5.40 NJ Venturer Team New Jersey 9 H 5.47 Electric Lion Penn State SAE HEV Team 8 H 5.60 Kineticar III CSERT-NVCTC 18 H 5.70 Artemis BHS FAMS'00 38 S 6.00 Solectria CitiVan NYPA 41 P 6.10 Solectria SuperForce Team New England 11 C 6.25 NFA Sol Machine II Team Newburgh 58 O 7.00 Sunpacer C-M Sunpacer Tech Team 92 O 7.25 Electric scooter GFR Technologies 39 O 7.33
Report #18: C.A.T.S. (Clean Air To Spare)
Vehicle Number 35 Vehicle Name C.A.T.S. (Clean Air to Spare) Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Organization NYSDEC Team Name DEC "Team Air C.A.T.S." Town Albany State NY Description Solectria Force (sedan, PbA) www www.dec.state.ny.us No People in Project 6 Motor Solectria; AC Induction; 35kW cont. Batteries Solectria/690 lbs.; PbA; 3800 Wh/156 V series Controller Solectria Charger Solectria; BC3300; high frequency/solid state Construction Geo Metro; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 13' 6"; 5' 8"; 4' 6" No of Passengers 4 Maximum Speed mph 70 Range miles 50 Weight pounds 2460 Mfg GVW 2756 Capacity pounds 750 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear; Invicta P165/70R13 Program blurb The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation(NYSDEC) is a first time Tour de Sol entrant. The Department has actively supported advancements in alternative fuel technology as an effective way to reduce Air Pollution. NYSDEC is leading NY State agencies in their efforts to upgrade the NY State fleets to include vehicles that employ alternative fuel options. The DEC Team "Air C.A.T.S." has selected an electric fleet pool vehicle using Lead-Acid Batteries for this year's Production Category competition demonstration.I asked Lawerance D'Arco of the New York Division of Air Resources why they had a car in the American Tour de Sol. "We have had 10 of these Solectrias in our fleet state wide, since the summer of 1998, and 8 electric trucks (Ford Ranger EVs and Chevy S-10 EVs) and they are used just like any other fleet vehicle for state workers to do trips within the range of the vehicles. They are also part of our promotion of energy efficient and clean vehicles, and there is also the federal mandate that state fleets must purchase a certain percentage of non- gasoline alternative fuel vehicles." They also have vehicles that use Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Report #19: Electrifly
Monte Gisborne takes the prize as the most northernly person to participate in the 1999 NESEA Tour, as he hales from Cannington, Ontario Canada. He has upgraded the vehicle that has been here twice before with new, nickel cadmium batteries. In the process the car weighs 700 pounds less.
Vehicle Number 13 Vehicle Name Electrifly Category COMMUTER CATEGORY Organization Enviromotive Team Name Enviromotive Town Cannington State Ont Description Pontiac Firefly (SAFT Ni-Cd) new this year? returning car and team Motor General Electric; Series Wound; 15kW cont/45kW peak Batteries 24 Saft/700 lbs.; NiCd; 12,000 Wh/144 V series Controller General Electric; Model EVT100 Charger Offboard Zivan; High frequency PV Array type amount 15 W; Innovative Cons. Prod.; Monocrystalline Construction 1991 Pontiac; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 7' 5"; 5' 0"; 4' 0" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 70 Range miles 70 Weight pounds 2400 Mfg GVW 2400 Capacity pounds 540 Brakes Front Disk; Rear Drum; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear; 175/70R13 Program blurb Often referred to as the Gary Bettenhauser of the NESEA American de Sol, Monte has refused to back down from this annual challenge and retire to the cold climes of Canada. To guarantee this year's success, Monte and teammates have cooked up a special elixir to increase range.The batteries are brand new, so Saft in Scarbourgh Ontario cycled the pack 10 times using their chargers and resister banks.
Monte has his own company, Enviromotive, and has a project to build a purpose-built EV for the summer of 2000. Called the Canadian Clean Air Challenge, it will be the first trip of an electric vehicle across Canada, from Vancouver Island British Columbia to St Johns Newfoundland. Canadian Tire is sponsoring the event and, since there are Canadian Tire stores _everywhere_ in Canada, there will be no problem finding places to stop, display and charge. He expects to do 200 miles per day in two 100 mile legs. A fast charger will make the midday stop reasonably short.
Monte is the President of the Durham Electric Vehicle Association. "We have a growing EV community in Canada. There are three electric car associations in Ontario where I live, and there is one in Vancouver on the wet coast, as we call it."
Last year, the Electrifly was a family affair, as Monte's support team was his parents. They did not come along this year, but they will watch the progress of the Tour via the Internet.
(And, no, I don't know who Gary Bettenhauser is, but I'm going to find out.)
Report #20: Chrysler Epic
There are three(!) Chrysler Epic electric vans here at the NESEA Tour. Two are entered in the Production Category (numbers 51 and 52) and one is here as a demonstration vehicle.
Jennifer Starmann, who works in Chrysler's public relations department, makes the point that these vehicles are aimed at fleets and governments where there is infrastructure to support them. In fact, as part of the Tour de Sol's visit to Albany NY on Wednesday, 26 May, Chrysler will deliver the first four Epics to New York State for lease. 88 Epics have been sold since 1993.
Vehicle Number 51 Vehicle Name EPIC minivan Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Organization DaimlerChrysler Corporation Team Name DaimlerChrysler & LTU Town Chicago State IL Description EPIC minivan, (SAFT, NMH) No People in Project 85-90 Motor Northrop Grumman; AC Induction; 75kw cont./100kw peak Batteries Saft; NiMH; 31,899 Wh/336 V series Controller Northrop Grumman; AC Induction Charger Offboard Lockheed; Martin Construction DaimlerChrysler; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 15' 5"; 6' 4"; 5' 7" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 80 Range miles 80-90 Weight pounds 4875 Capacity pounds 925 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear; P205/75R115 Program blurb This is the first year that DaimlerChrysler is entering a vehicle in the NESEA Tour - and in fact they are entering two! The EPIC electric minivan is equipped with liquid cooled nickel metal hydride batteries. It has a certified range of 96 miles with a top speed of 80 MPH, and is being sold in California.
Report #21: Dodge Interpid ESX2 Concept Car
Craig Rasamen, from DiamlerChrysler, is a Liberty Technician; someone who builds concept vehicles and he helped build the Intrepid ESX2 diesel-electric hybrid which is being displayed at all the display stops during the Tour de Sol. It is uses a 1.5 liter, 3-cylinder, turbo direct-injected diesel engine combined with a 133 pound lead- acid battery to deliver 70 miles per gallon and 12 second 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration. The diesel engine is the main power source, feeding a modified Neon 5 speed transmission and touched automatically by a computer. The 20 horsepower AC induction motor kicks in for added acceleration and hill climbing.
An aluminum frame supports a "carbon-fiber body made to simulate plastic panel technology that Chrysler has been working with. The overall vehicle weight is in the 2300 pound range. The coefficient of drag is about 0.2." It runs as a fueled car, that is it is never plugged in. All the electricity needed is generated on board. This model would have a projected price of $35,000.
The side-view mirrors are not mirrors. Instead a pair of tiny cameras are mounted what would be the mount points for regular mirrors, and a small LCD television monitor on the front corner of each door points towards the driver. "It's not terribly functional right now. Varying lighting conditions cause the display to wash out. It's just another trick to get the aerodynamics down. "A little palmtop computer is linked to the car with an infrared connection. You can use it through a cellular modem to get real-time traffic information, or vehicle diagnostics, or the service manual. You can also get readouts from the Heat/Ventilation/Airconditioning subsystem and the radio. It's not required for the vehicle to run; its something the customer can add."
The vehicle was built as a kind of report car on where Chrysler is in the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) federal government program.
Report #22: Sunergy
Number 10 is called "Sunergy" and is being driven by young women from the Ethyl Walker School, an all girls school teaching grades 7 through 12.
Vehicle Number 10 Vehicle Name Sunergy Category PRODUCTION CATEGORY Organization Ethel Walker School Team Name The Ethel Walker School Town Simsbury State CT Description 1992 Solectria Force (Interstate,PbA) No People in Project 20 Months to Build 9 Motor Solectria; AC Induction; 25kW cont./42kW peak Batteries Interstate; Wet PbA; 10 kWh/144 V series Controller Solectria; AMC 325 DC--AC Charger Solectria BC 1000 (x2); Hi-freq./solid state PV Array type amount 180 W; Astropower Construction 1992 Geo Metro; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 9' 0"; 4' 10"; 4' 2" No of Passengers 4 Maximum Speed mph 65 Range miles 70 Weight pounds 2570 Mfg GVW 2450 Capacity pounds 700 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Bridgestone; P165/65 R13 Program blurb The Ethel Walker's all female electric car team is made up of 15 students from the Honor's Physics class. They have been studying electric vehicles as a unifying theme in physics this year and we are hoping they will consider college majors and careers in physics and engineering as a result of their exposure to the exciting world of electric vehicles.I spoke with Lesley Northrop, Tammy Baroody, and Liz Herbert.
A grant from the Charles Edison Foundation allowed them to purchase a used Solectria Force last fall and bring it up to snuff. A teacher has been using the car when they haven't been working on it. After the NESEA Tour, the car will be used as one of the fleet they have to take students to doctor appointments.
Report #23: More on Electric Bull improvements
Lori Hilbert of the Shadow Mountain "Electric Bull" (number 32) told me more about what the did to their Porsche 914. "We worked on the tension bars, put new springs in the back, and put a new plastic hood on it to reduce weight. We worked on the aerodynamics by putting a cover in the back."
Weylin Brown explained how they found air turbulence that increases drag. "We put little pieces of string all over the car and where they fluttered around we deduced that there was turbulence." They created an air dam to block the air flow originally designed to cool the gasoline engine. Behind the rear window the air created a circular flow designed to dive into the engine compartment behind the seats. By blocking that grill with a piece of metal they have smoothed the air flow in that area.
Electric Bull only had to have some minor changes to pass the technical and safety inspections. "We had to put in another fuse so we have two (traction) fuses. We had to cover some wires. We have to put on a sheet that tells about the PV (PhotoVoltaic) array, explaining that it charges the little 12 Volt battery that powers the little energy meter; the E-Meter."
Report #24: Scoring: Winning the American Tour de Sol
The scoring this year is very much different than in years past. Before there was a system of Tour Miles, where each mile driven was a Tour Mile, and then Tour Miles were added or subtracted to reward certain aspects of the vehicle's and team's performance and subtracted for infractions of the rules. No more.
Now a vehicle's and team's performance is measured with a point system that is breaks down as:
36% "Greeness" 20 points Fuel Economy 20 points Greenhouse Gas Emissions 53% Performance 20 points Reliability 10 points Acceleration 10 points Handling PRODUCTION CATEGORY 10 points Handling 10 points Consumer Acceptability SOLAR COMMUTER CATEGORY 20 points Solar Energy Fraction Other Categories 20 points Range
11% Bonuses 1 point Passed Technical Inspection on 1st Try 1 point Technical Specification Form Completed on Time 2.5 points Team Assistants show up and work during the event 2 points Customer Acceptability (all vehicles) 2 points Engineering Elegance 2 points Educational Display Board and Team Appearance 2 points Low Noise PollutionAnd there is a long list of infractions with associated point penalties, ranging from traffic and safety violations, to being caught with a radar detector in a vehicle, to being late for the public displays.
Not that speed along the course does not enter into the discussion. Being the first under the FINISH banner does not impart any benefit. (Well, the Tour organizers would like to believe so. In fact, the competetive spirit can run fairly deep with some teams and drivers, so the first ones through are likely to get more cheering and people like to be cheered at.)
Report #25: Technical Testing
These are the results of the technical testing performed on Saturday and Sunday in Waterbury CT.
Form Pass on Customer Engineer. Educa.No. Car Complete 1st try Accep Elegance Display0-1 0-1 0-2 0-2 0-1
PRODUCTION 10 Sunergy 1 1 1.9 1.8 2 15 Nordic Challenger 1 1 1.96 2 1.75 26 Ford Ranger EV 1.88 2 1.75 27 RAV4 EV 2 1.75 30 Caballito Electric 1 2 1.75 35 CATS 2 1.75 41 Solectria CitiVan 1 1.96 2 1.75 51 Epic 1 2 2 1.75 52 Epic 1 2 2 2 67 Solectria NiCad Force 1 1 2 2 2 76 Ovonic Solectria Force 1 1.76 2 1.75
COMMUTER 6 Eride 1.8 1.7 1.75 11 Super Force 1 1.72 2 1.75 12 MooRocco 1 1.72 2 1.75 13 Electrifly 1 2 2 1.25 16 The Olympian 1 1 1.62 1.8 1.75 17 Kilowatt Kamel 1 1.48 1.6 1.75 32 Electric Bull 1 1 1.44 2 2 37 UEHS Solar Tiger 1 1.4 1.5 1.75 50 Sparky Spartan 1.6 2 1.75 61 Solar Bolt 1 1 1.52 1.75 2 66 Recharger 1 1.92 1.8 1.75 71 PV EV 1 1 1.6 1.5 1.5 72 Sungo 1.28 2 1.75
DOE HYBRID 7 Paradyne 1 1.84 2 1.5 8 Electric Lion 1 1 1.8 2 1.75 9 NJ Venturer 1.8 2 1.75 14 Slipstream 1 1.44 2 1.75 18 Kineticar III 1 1.94 1.9 1.75 23 Viking 23 1 1 1.2 2 1.75 24 HEV Blazer 1 1 1.9 2 1.75
SOLAR COMMUTER 20 Solar Black Bear 1 1.74 1.7 2 38 Artemis 1 1.16 1.8 1.75 83 Sol Survivor IV 1 1 1.2 2 1.75 93 Helios the Heron VI 1 1 1.68 1.7 1.5
ONE PERSON 36 Futura EVs 2 1.75 39 Elextric scooter 2 1.75 58 NFA Sol Machine II 1 1 2 1.75 92 Sunpacer #92 1.3 1.75
No Car Noise Cone Accel Noise Cone Accel
(dba) (sec) (sec) 0-2 2.5-10 2.5-10
PRODUCTION10 Sunergy 69 9.74 5.26 1.85 7.60 6.84 15 Nordic Challenger 70 8.08 4.07 1.78 9.00 9.33 26 Ford Ranger EV 74 9.39 3.78 1.48 7.90 9.94 27 RAV4 EV 10.74 5 6.76 7.38 30 Caballito Electric 68 5.03 1.93 0.00 7.32 35 CATS 70 9.63 4.37 1.78 7.70 8.70 41 Solectria CitiVan 82 12.01 6.1 0.89 5.70 5.08 51 Epic 72 9.06 4.28 1.63 8.18 8.89 52 Epic 72 9.32 4.2 1.63 7.96 9.06 67 Solectria NiCad Force 68 8.49 4.91 1.93 8.65 7.57 76 Ovonic Solectria Force 67 8.28 4.75 2.00 8.83 7.91
COMMUTER 6 Eride 72 9.84 4.47 1.63 7.52 8.4911 Super Force 69 10.87 6.25 1.85 6.65 4.76 12 MooRocco 69 9.17 4.7 1.85 8.08 8.01 13 Electrifly 69 9.06 3.89 1.85 8.18 9.71 16 The Olympian 69 9.03 4.84 1.85 8.20 7.72 17 Kilowatt Kamel 76 7.2 3.75 1.33 9.74 10.00 32 Electric Bull 73 6.89 4.63 1.56 10.00 8.16 37 UEHS Solar Tiger 80 11.54 4.97 1.04 6.09 7.44 50 Sparky Spartan 69 7.59 4.45 1.85 9.41 8.53 61 Solar Bolt 69 8.81 4.1 1.85 8.39 9.27 66 Recharger 72 9.27 4.3 1.63 8.00 8.85 71 PV EV 68 7.55 3.9 1.93 9.45 9.69 72 Sungo 76 8.34 3.76 1.33 8.78 9.98
DOE HYBRID 7 Paradyne 92 9.04 4.35 0.15 8.19 8.74 8 Electric Lion 70 7.55 5.6 1.78 9.45 6.12 9 NJ Venturer 69 8.97 5.47 1.85 8.25 6.4014 Slipstream 75 8.54 5.4 1.41 8.61 6.54 18 Kineticar III 70 9.07 5.7 1.78 8.17 5.91 23 Viking 23 80 8.06 3.84 1.04 9.02 9.81 24 HEV Blazer 80 10.02 5.18 1.04 7.37 7.00
SOLAR COMMUTER20 Solar Black Bear 77 9.99 5 1.26 7.39 7.38 38 Artemis 76 8.45 6 1.33 8.69 5.29 83 Sol Survivor IV 69 9.68 4.12 1.85 7.65 9.22 93 Helios the Heron VI 74 15.81 5.2 1.48 2.50 6.96
ONE PERSON36 Futura EVs 4.66 0.00 8.09 39 Elextric scooter 7.33 0.00 2.50 58 NFA Sol Machine II 94 9.93 7 0.00 7.44 3.19 92 Sunpacer #92 76 1.33 0.00 0.00
Car# Car Total
Points PRODUCTION
10 Sunergy 23.99 15 Nordic Challenger 27.82 26 Ford Ranger EV 24.95 27 RAV4 EV 17.89 30 Caballito Electric 13.99 35 CATS 21.93 41 Solectria CitiVan 18.37 51 Epic 25.44 52 Epic 25.64 67 Solectria NiCad Force 26.15 76 Ovonic Solectria Force 25.25
COMMUTER 6 Eride 22.89 11 Super Force 19.74 12 MooRocco 24.41 13 Electrifly 25.98 16 The Olympian 24.94 17 Kilowatt Kamel 26.90 32 Electric Bull 27.15 37 UEHS Solar Tiger 20.22 50 Sparky Spartan 25.15 61 Solar Bolt 26.77 66 Recharger 24.95 71 PV EV 27.66 72 Sungo 25.12
DOE HYBRID 7 Paradyne 23.42 8 Electric Lion 24.90 9 NJ Venturer 22.05 14 Slipstream 22.75 18 Kineticar III 22.45 23 Viking 23 26.81 24 HEV Blazer 23.06
SOLAR COMMUTER 20 Solar Black Bear 22.47 38 Artemis 21.02 83 Sol Survivor IV 25.68 93 Helios the Heron VI 17.82
ONE PERSON 36 Futura EVs 11.84 39 Elextric scooter 6.25 58 NFA Sol Machine II 16.39 92 Sunpacer #92 4.38
Report #26: Monday's Results
Monday 25 May was the first day of travel for the NESEA Tour. In mostly fog with some wind and rain, the tour left Waterbury CT and headed to Hartford CT for a noon-time stop. After displaying during the afternoon, inspite of some very heavy rain and wind, but not the hail that was forecast, the tour then moved on to Torrington CT for its overnight charging.
These are the results for that first day of travel.
See the Report on Scoring for a discussion of the point system used this year.
.TS l s s s s l s s s n l s s s s l s s s n l s s s s l s s s n l s s s s l s s s l n l n n n n n n n n. American Tour de Sol 1999 Total distance all legs: 225.0 Waterbury to Hartford to Torrington CT
Maximum Mileage Points 5.4 Deductions Day 1 TotalCar# Car Name Avg Total Late BonusMPH Miles Points Codes Pts. Points Poimts
PRODUCTION10 Sunergy 15.73 60.4 2.6 2.8 15 Nordic Challenger 23.28 60.4 0 5.4 26 Ford Ranger EV 26.51 60.4 0 5.4 27 RAV4 EV 22.23 60.4 0.9 1 0.5 4.0 30 Caballito Electric 18.34 60.4 0 5.4 35 CATS 22.56 60.4 0 5.4 41 Solectria CitiVan 19.83 60.4 0 5.4 51 Epic 25.01 60.4 0 5.4 52 Epic 25.03 60.4 0 5.4 67 Solectria NiCad Force 23.69 60.4 0 5.4 76 Ovonic Solectria Force 25.23 60.4 0 1 0.5 4.9
COMMUTER6 Eride 9.13 52.6 0.2 4.5 11 Super Force 21.64 60.4 0 1 0.5 4.9 12 MooRocco 9.75 51.9 0 4.6 13 Electrifly 13.36 57.4 0 1 0.5 4.6 16 The Olympian 17.04 60.4 0 5.4 17 Kilowatt Kamel 16.38 60.4 0.2 5.2 32 Electric Bull 21.44 60.4 0 5.4 37 UEHS Solar Tiger 3.94 43.6 2.3 1 0.5 1.1 50 Sparky Spartan 16.61 60.4 0 5.4 61 Solar Bolt 18.19 60.4 0 5.4 66 Recharger 18.67 60.4 0 5.4 71 PV EV 20.93 60.4 0 5.4 72 Sungo 16.63 60.4 0.4 5.0
DOE HYBRID7 Paradyne 17.59 60.4 0 5.4 8 Electric Lion 18.45 60.4 0 5.4 9 NJ Venturer 20.19 60.4 0 5.4 14 Slipstream 18.10 60.4 0.7 1 0.5 4.2 18 Kineticar III 21.68 60.4 0 1 0.5 4.9 23 Viking 23 22.33 60.4 0 1 0.5 4.9 24 HEV Blazer 17.98 60.4 0.2 1 0.5 4.7
SOLAR COMMUTER20 Solar Black Bear 16.07 60.4 0.3 5.1 38 Artemis 13.05 60.4 2.4 3.0 83 Sol Survivor IV 2.01 35.6 1.2 0.5 1.5 93 Helios the Heron VI 2.27 36.1 1.5 1.7
ONE PERSON36 Futura EVs 0.00 31.6 0.9 1 1 0.9 39 Elextric scooter 0.00 31.6 5.5 1 1 0.0 58 NFA Sol Machine II 0.00 0.0 0 0.0 92 Sunpacer #92 14.43 57.9 0.9 1 0.5 3.7
CONTROLFord Kathleen Strizki 1.73 60.4 80.3 0.0 Geo Joe Sherman 24.57 60.4 0 5.4 Van Danuta Drozdowicz 25.04 60.4 0 5.4 .TE
Report #27: Kineticar III
A team with long history with the American Tour de Sol is the series known as Kineticar. The third by that name is with us again this year.
Vehicle Number 18 Vehicle Name Kineticar III Category USDOE HYBRID CATEGORY Organization Naugatuck Valley Comm Tech College (NVCTC) Team Name CSERT-NVCTC Town Waterbury State CTDescription Chevy S-10 (Trojan, PBA + LPG)www www.nvctc5.commnet.edu new this year? returning car and team No People in Project 10 Months to Build 3 Motor Advanced DC; Series; 24kW cont/48kW peak Batteries Trojan/1120 lbs; PbA; 17,600 Wh/96 V Controller Curtis; Model 1231c Charger Offboard Lester; Ferro reson. PV Array type amount 25 w; Uni-Solar; Amorphous Construction 1989 Chevrolet S-10; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 15' 0"; 5' 4"; 5' 0" Hybrid Suzuki/; 1L Parallel; LPG/24 mpg No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 70 Range miles 400 Weight pounds 4000 Mfg GVW 3598 Capacity pounds 400 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear; P195/60R15 Program blurb KINETICAR III is a parallel hybrid vehicle. It has a range of 400 miles. In-town driving is electric and on the highway the motor and IC engine are used. In the 1997 NESEA American Tour de Sol, KINETICAR set a new range record. We believe a low- polluting hybrid offers the best potential for future vehicles.A clever arrangement places the electric motor and LPG-burning engine so that either can drive the transmission, making this a parallel hybrid.
I asked Ted Gallucci (Crew Chief and faculty advisor) what was new and different. He said they have a new multi-disc clutch, new bearings and a little bit of alignment work.
Report #28: PV EV
Those of us who have had our heads mostly in the Tour de Sol these past few years, and I count myself in that group, are discovering that electric vehicle racing has a long and honorable history elsewhere. The Palo Verde High School certainly participates in that history, as evidenced by their entry in the NESEA Tour, named PV EV.
Vehicle Number 71 Vehicle Name PV EV Category COMMUTER CATEGORY Organization Palo Verde Magnet High School Team Name Palo Verde Electric Racing Team Town Tucson State AZ Description 1985 VW Cabriolet (Trojan, PbA) new this year? new car and team Motor Advanced DC; 9" 4001 series wound; 21kW cont./63kW peak Batteries Trojan/1400 lbs.; PbA; 1,320 Wh/120 V series Controller Auburn; 680 amp-Kodiac Charger Offboard Lester; Transformer; Rectifier PV Array type amount 5 W; Solar Aide; NA Construction 1985 VW Cabriolet; Unibody steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 13' 0"; 5' 6"; 4' 10" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 70 Range miles 100 Weight pounds 3300 Mfg GVW 3031 Capacity pounds 450 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Michelin; P165/70R13 Program blurb The Electric Racing Team won their spot in the NESEA Tour by placing in the Tour de AZ, held in March. The team has been converting and racing electric cars since 1993. As defending champions of the 1998 National Student Competition in Phoenix, Arizona, the team placed first in the braking and handling competition and second overall in the year long series. A total of four electric vehicles have been completed. Arizona Public Service and Tucson Electric Power are two of our major sponsors.The Palo Verde Electric Racing Team is a club of 6 students and 2 advisors, that converted a teacher's personal VW Cabriolet convertible to electric drive. Ken Paulin still uses the car as an everyday vehicle, but it's here now for the NESEA Tour.
The club has two other cars they have built, a 1980 VW Rabbit and a 1987 Nissan 300ZX. The cars are quite different with different sizes and brands of motors and controllers. They fund their activities by getting sponsorships from local businesses, and getting parts and services from local auto shops, body shops, and salvage yards.
In the past season they have won 3 first place and 1 second in five events.
Part of their winnings in the Tour de AZ was that Reliable Car Carriers paid the entry fees and shipped the cars cross country to the NESEA Tour.
Report #29: Sol Survivor IV
One of the vehicles that _never_ fails to turn heads as it goes by is the bright yellow, thin, aerodynamic Sol Survivor IV. The previous three Sol Survivors also appeared at the NESEA Tour, and got well deserved attention, but this one has such clean lines that I've never met anyone who was not impressed. Add that it was built by high school students, and "impressive" is too little praise for the Solar Commuter entry.
They have a proud history. They were the first high school team to enter the American Tour de Sol, in 1990. In 1991 they finished 1st in range and efficiency, beating several colleges.
Vehicle Number 83 Vehicle Name Sol Survivor IV Category SOLAR COMMUTER CATEGORY Organization Monadnock Solar Electric Race Car Team Team Name Sol Survivor Town Peterborough State NH Description Purpose-built (Interstate , PbA) new this year? returning car and team No People in Project 18 Months to Build 12 Motor Solectria; AC Induction; 15kW cont./16kW peak Batteries Interstate; liquid PbA; 120 V series Controller Solectria; AC-300 Charger Purpose-built; high frequency/solid state PV Array type amount 268 W; Solarex; Monocrystalline Construction Purpose-built; Steel tube frame; Fiberglas Body Dimensions LxWxH 15' 0"; 5' 6"; 4' 1" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 70 Range miles 70 Weight pounds 1500 Capacity pounds 410 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Disc; Regen Wheels Tires 4 Cheng-shin or Uni-royal; Motorcycle tires Program blurb The Sol Survivor, designed and built by a group of engineers and students in New Hampshire, uses a 30 hp electric motor powered by ten deep cycle batteries. It has a cruising speed of 50-55 mph and gets one third of its energy from solar panels mounted on the roof and rear wing. Styling of the narrow tear-drop shape body was done by Jud Holcombe and Jim Earl, ex GM and Ford stylists. The car has a space tube frame, independent suspension, four wheel disc brakes and disc emergency brakes as well as a regenerative braking system. The car was designed to allow two people to commute 25 miles to work.I asked Sarah Bay, Christel Becker, and Chris Huber what has changed this year. "Not much. We've only done what we need to do to stay in this league, but we are working on a different car. We couldn't bring it hear because it doesn't fit into any of the categories." (More on this new car in a moment.)
In last year's NESEA Tour, where it rained almost constantly for the first 5 days, water got into the controller and it wouldn't control. They were able to fix it then, so this year they have the it protected better. They have also strapped the batteries down better to comply with stricter American Tour de Sol rules. A second E-Meter has been added to show the energy performance of the solar panels, something they have not had before.
But clearly what had these kids psyched was their new car that they are finishing for the race up Mount Washington this summer at the end of June. Sol Survivor IV has done the climb in 23 minutes. Now they have built what they call the "Hill Climb Car". The goal is to drive up Mount Washington in 13 minutes, which will take the record from Sungo, number 72 in this year's ATdS, from New Hampshire Technical Institute.
The Hill Climb Car is based on a mini-sprint frame. The battery boxes are on either side of a space frame of made of welded tubing. There is a separate motor driving each rear wheel via a chain drive. One controller drives both motors.
We also spoke about the problems of raising money to support building these cars. The Monadnock Solar Electric Race Car Team is not associated with any school. The first Sol Survivor was a school project, but the team has been an independent organization since 1991. So they take both the Sol Survivor and Hill Climb Car to events where they are displayed, and to races where they test them. When they took the Hill Climb Car to a race track to test it (I presume in a drag race) "they made the noise for us, (so we would sound `real')." It gives them exposure and helps them raise money.
The club is also working on an electric "Hydro-plane Boat".
To contact the club ...
Sol Survivor IV Monadnock Solar Race Car Team 32 Pine Street Peterborough NH 03458 603 924-9818
http://www.solarcarteam.org
Report #30: Solar Black Bear
Long, low, and very, very shiny-black with blue lettering, number 20, the Solar Black Bear, cuts quite a figure, especially with the 1 kiloWatt solar panel mounted above the truck from the tip of the front bumper to the end of the extended tail gate.
Vehicle Number 20 Vehicle Name Solar Black Bear Category SOLAR COMMUTER CATEGORY Organization University of Maine Team Name U. Maine Solar Vehicle Team Town Orono State ME Description Chevy S-10 (Trojan, PbA) www www.ume.maine.edu/solar new this year? New car and team Motor Advance DC; 13.2kW cont./60kW peak Batteries Trojan/1400 lbs.; PbA T-145; 120 V Controller Curtis; 1231C-8601 Charger Offboard Alltech Electronics; AAE120-150R1BC; Transformer/Rectifier PV Array type amount 1020 W; BP Solar; Monocrystalline Construction Chevy S-10; Steel Frame; Steel Body Dimensions LxWxH 17' 5"; 6' 2"; 5' 0" No of Passengers 2 Maximum Speed mph 75 Range miles 60 Weight pounds 3920 Mfg GVW 3856 Capacity pounds 1433 Brakes Front Disc; Rear Drum; Non-regen Wheels Tires 4 Goodyear; 19514 Program blurb The students of the University of Maine have constructed their first electric/solar powered vehicle. Their interest was to explore environmentally clean alternative energy options and to inform others of their possible uses. Their team is comprised of 11 multi-discipline members. Through the generous support of many local sponsors, they are entering a converted 1987 Chevy S-10 pickup.Paul VanSteenberghe and Ben Dresser (faculty advisors), Dennis Keyser, Mike Stewart, and Matt Albert (students) told me they are here "for the fun of it and for the experience of working in an emerging, growth industry. Setting up the solar panels like we have has given us a whole new understanding of solar power issues."
The Chevy S-10 base car was converted originally by Bangor HydroElectric where it was used as a meter-reader vehicle. It sat for several years, so they donated it to the University of Maine. They upgraded from 120 to 144 Volts, installed a pulse-width modulated controller, and put on the solar panel. The solar panel can be tilted to either side to improve the angle so the sun is more effective. A ram-air scoop directs air directly over the controller; otherwise it makes odd noises when it gets hot.
They were fund-raising until February, and then started working on the truck. A team of about 16 students did the work. It's been running about two weeks.
"It's our first trip (to the NESEA Tour). We don't care if we win or loose. We're just here to take a look at everything."
"We figure we've already won by being here."
Report #31: Pole Position for Tuesday 25 May
The order of the cars for the start on Tuesday 25 May is based on the accumulated points from Technical Testing, Monday and Tuesday. Here they are listed by Overall Points.
American Tour de Sol 1999 Pole Position : Day 2 Car Overall
# Points Vehicle Name Cat. Code Team 15 33.19 Nordic Challenger P SA Evermont/Solectria 71 33.03 PV EV C SL Palo Verde Electric Racing 32 32.52 Electric Bull C SL Shadow Mtn Electric Matadors 61 32.14 Solar Bolt C SL Solar Bolt Team 17 32.07 Kilowatt Kamel C UL Spartan EV Racing Team 23 31.68 Viking 23 H SA Team Viking 23 67 31.52 Solectria NiCad Force P SA CT Partnership 52 31.01 Epic P UA DaimlerChrysler 51 30.81 Epic P UA DaimlerChryslerVan 30.80 Danuta Drozdowicz P Control13 30.59 Electrifly C SA Enviromotive 50 30.52 Sparky Spartan C SL Spartan EV Racing Team 26 30.32 Ford Ranger EV P UA EV Rangers 66 30.32 Recharger C UL University of New HavenFord 30.31 Kathleen Strizki P Control16 30.31 The Olympian C SL Pirates 8 30.27 Electric Lion H SL Penn State SAE HEV Team 76 30.12 Ovonic Solectria Force P SA Ovonic Battery CoGeo 30.11 Joe Sherman P Control72 30.09 Sungo C SA SEV of NHTI 12 29.03 MooRocco C SL Vermont Technical College 7 28.79 Paradyne H SL Hurricane Motor Works 24 27.73 HEV Blazer H UL Cornell University HEV Team 20 27.54 Solar Black Bear S UL UMaine Solar Vehicle Team 9 27.42 NJ Venturer H SL Team New Jersey 6 27.37 Eride C UL Erad 18 27.32 Kineticar III H UL CSERT-NVCTC 35 27.30 CATS P SL NYSDEC 83 27.15 Sol Survivor IV S SL Monadnock Sol Survivor 14 26.92 Slipstream H SL Cornell University HEV Team 10 26.76 Sunergy P SL Ethel Walker 11 24.61 Solectria SuperForce C SA Team New England 38 23.99 Artemis S SL BHS FAMS'00 41 23.74 Solectria CitiVan P UL NYPA 27 21.86 RAV4 EV P UA Toyota, North Torrance HS 37 21.30 UEHS Solar Tiger C SL Solar Tiger Team 93 19.53 Helios the Heron VI S UL Riverside School 30 19.36 Caballito Electric P OL Person Elec. Trans 58 16.39 NFA Sol Machine II O OL Team Newburgh 36 12.75 Futura EVs O OA GFR Technologies 92 8.13 Sunpacer O OL C-M Sunpacer Tech Team 39 6.25 Elextric scooter O OL GFR Technologies
Category P - Production H - DOE Hybrid C - Commuter S - Solar Commuter O - One Person
Type Codes S = Sedan U = Utility O = One Person
A - Advanced Battery L - Lead Acid
Report #32: Pole Position for Wednesday 26 May
The order of the cars for the start on Wednesday 26 May is based on the accumulated points from