At Witz’ End: GM EV1 - The Real Story, Part III
09.06.08
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, GM, AutoblogGreen Exclusive, Green Daily, At Witz End
NOTE: If you missed them, you can read parts one and two.
High tech development, market launch and retreat
Because its 1,175-pound pack of 27 advanced lead-acid (PbA) batteries - 26 propulsion, one for accessories - held a mere half-gallon of gasoline-equivalent energy, the production EV1 would have to be an incredibly efficient teardrop-shaped two-seater to achieve even barely acceptable range. Stretching it to accommodate four passengers would have reduced its already very modest range some 25 percent due to added weight and aero drag.
“The fundamental variables are mass, aerodynamics, rolling resistance, accessory loads and driveline efficiency,” says Bob Purcell, who was our Advanced Technology Vehicles (ATV) Div. Executive Director. “So the exercise was to ensure that we would meet all customer requirements using the least possible energy in each of those areas.”
Continue reading after the jump.
Continue reading At Witz’ End: GM EV1 - The Real Story, Part III
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