GasSavers_Ryland |
06-13-2006 09:49 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silveredwings
I think it would be kinda involved to change the front or rear suspension/differential to add an electric motor. I do think about it though. The hardest thing seems to be in getting an electric motor to turn some wheels. I have wondered if it would be possible to take an electric motor that has shafts on either end (as many do), and put it inline with the driveshaft of a rear wheel drive configuration. This way it could drive with the electric motor at slow speeds (clutch disconnected), use the ICE at higher speeds (clutch engaged), and maybe use both at medium speeds. If the elec motor could move the car from 0 to 10 mph, it could even replace the starter and alternator (to displace some wieght). This way you could have the engine-off when coasting, when stopped, and at low speeds.
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I've seen this done! Madison WI tec school entered in the Futere Truck Competition, I think it was last year, they get a ford explorer, or expedition or something, and it has to meet all the origonal proformance clames, speed, acceloration, towing, safty, and while doing all those tests, they check gas mileage, they got 54mpg with a hybrid diesel drive train, the electric motor was part of the drive shaft that drove the rear wheels, and the person I talked to said it worked great! so my thought is take a car like the Subaru Justy 4 Wheel Drive (a suzuki clone?) and replace the drive shaft with an electric motor, or remove the drive shaft, and have electric rear wheel drive only, simaler to how Toyota is going to do their Lexus SUV, I would try this but my Subaru Justy is the rare 2 wheel drive modle, and I have other plans for it, it was roled, and just needs a new front strut, and the roof cut off... Subaru Elcamino! if all else fails, it becomes a go-kart
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