Australian government funded EV conversion project

[Dreddydave]

"EV engineering" is a new Australian Government-backed group of auto companies, with a goal of creating 7 converted Holden Commodore (same as the Pontiac G8 in the US) EVs by June 2012.

Members of the consortium delivering the project include the electric vehicle charge network operator Better Place, major automotive component suppliers Bosch, Continental, Air International and Futuris, with support for the project from CSIRO.

The project will build 7 fully-electric vehicles by June 2012 based on the locally manufactured Holden Commodore as proof-of-concept, to demonstrate the technical viability and attractiveness to customers of a large EV. If successful the project will allow technologies to be considered for possible future mass production.

The Australian Government’s Green Car Innovation Fund will contribute $3.55m to the project.

http://www.evengineering.com.au/media-content/

[Kepler]

I really like that layout. Makes lots of sense to use a standard chasis like a Holden Commodore as it uses the well proven Zeta platform http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Zeta_platform that can accommodate a wide variety of automotive design features such as wheelbase length, ride height, windshield rake and roof line. Also suitable for both lefthand and righthand drive.

Seems very modular in its layout and using the the engine and gearbox compartments for batteries gives you a ton of space for battery capacity without compromising any of the living or boot (trunk) space.

I think we will see plenty more of this car in the near future. Might even lend itself to a viable conversion pathway for the 100,000's of Zeta Platform vehicles out there.