ok heres where i started my thoughts.
how cool is an electric car? we're all here to be different and build something unique so how cooler than it get than something that never exsisted in prodution realm(kind of, hear me out first).
So the idea of a performance electric isnt new. many drag racers have made like 6 or 7 second electrics and Telsa has made their elise based and Fisker is making one but all with very limited range. or hybrids and new EV(elctric vehicle) like nissan leaf and chevy volt and the toyota prius have lots of range but no performance.
So how to get the best of both worlds?
here's the idea thus far.
How to get the best of both worlds? combine the best of both worlds
make a lightweight(for an EV at least), long distance capable performance electric.
So the lightweight thing is easy-ish. based on my half completed locost and what i've learned making a space tube frame is the esiest thing of the whole idea. maybe it wouldnt be a 7 in the end but for ease build a basic +442 frame and work from there. it would be hard to make a 7 ver 2000lbs, maybe 2500lbs but thats still light for most anything out there.
Electric portion of EV. found what looks good but maybe not locost. its from AC Propulsion. a 200hp 12,000rpm ac motor that is engineered for EV vehicles with an inverter/controller(needed when using ac motor with batteries) and smart charger so ideally just wire batteries and plug in wall. its all self contained and self monitored so no worrying of frying batteries or needed and electronics wizard to get it to work. no price on this though yet
Performance thing is easy-ish. 200 hp, 12000rpm in a 2000lb(ideally) package. wont be fastest but better than most miata or toyota locosts. also figure with a 12,000rpm motor add a gear reducer which helps with torque and would bring the output shaft down to normal gas motor rpm and then connect to a normal transmission to get better usage of torque and top speed and acceleration.
Now the biggest question- Long distance capable.
most EVs run maybe 200 miles or have a gas motor to aid in propulsion(why to tricky for me to deal with) or have a gas motor to charge batteries while in motion and AC motor propulsion for car.
at first i thought rig up a small diesel or motorbike engine running a big ass generator/alternator. but that could get complicated and expensive. so then i thought just buy a portable generator and throw it in the 'trunk'. but seems rather crude and dont need it to run all the time or dont want to get out and pull start it every so often.
so then i thought gas golf cart
most dont idle. the shut off when off gas and quick start when back on(some new production gas and hybrids do this now too)
so either mount big alternator to golf cart motor or rig the gold cart start/stop mechinism to portable generator.
which in turn charges batteries when not capable of get to an outlet for hours to charge from a wall outlet. also this helps not needing as many batteries for the same distance capability.
i realize this is idalistic but i think its sound. i need to finish one 7 before starting another but i think this will be next one.
Lets here feed back and more ideas. any other electric motors be good options? other gas motor generator options and ideas? anything to make it lighter ideas?
thanks and later
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90 talon as old dd turned into donor for the locost
06 suzuki sv1ks for the kneedragging fix
mitsu 4g63 powered 442e -
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