First 100% Eco powered vehicle completes a Dakar Stage

[MidTNJasonF]

http://www.albertbosch.info/

I am a huge Dakar fan and although I mostly follow the bikes I found this to be of note since it pertains to an electric car competing in the 2015 Dakar. Albert Bosch and crew got the first 100% eco vehicle through the first stage of racing.

If you are unfamiliar with Dakar it is probably the most grueling offroad endurance race in the world. The race has multiple classes covering motorcycles, quad bikes, cars, and heavy trucks.

From the Albert Bosch page:

Yesterday was a very emotional day; the AccionaDakar 100% EcoPowered car became the first zero-emissions vehicle in history to complete a stage of the Dakar Rally.

A huge party with thousands and thousands of people lining the streets of Buenos Aires accompanied the departure of the cars. This energy continued along the route throughout this first stage, including a special stage of 170 kilometres between Buenos Aires and Villa Carlos Paz, which we completed in a time of 2h 27m 30s.

In total, 833 km were covered in good spirits whilst all the while following our purpose: to demonstrate that it's possible to do things (and take part in rallies) in a more efficient way and with less environmental impact, and to spark a debate about the subject. Yesterday, after the triumph of having completed this stage, we position ourselves on the podium of commitment towards a more sustainable future in the world of motor racing.

In this Dakar, we are leaders in innovation and last-place contenders for competitiveness. Leaders in innovation because we are doing something which has never been done before (neither conceptually nor technologically); we are icebreakers for a new kind of mobility in the most difficult engine test in the world. Last-place contenders for competitiveness because we are amongst the lowest ranked in qualifying (130th out of 134). We knew that our car still wasn't sufficiently developed to be in a position to play a good role in the competition.

If we had wanted to be much more competitive and to enjoy the thrill of driving in this test/adventure more, it would have been rather easy. We could have assembled a regular team, prepared a car based on known mechanics and performance, and assured ourselves that it had a level high enough to be able to fight for the position which we aim for in general classification.

However, we believe in the purpose of our project; we are convinced of that. And tomorrow we'll be back on the road to demonstrate it.

 

[JayTea]

What's the sense of calling it a 'Dakar' event when they're not crossing the Sahara or arriving in Senegal?

And where's a description or pictures of the car?

 

[MidTNJasonF]

What's the sense of calling it a 'Dakar' event when they're not crossing the Sahara or arriving in Senegal?

And where's a description or pictures of the car?

The spirit of the race is very much alive. So what if the original route is no longer viable or safe. It is still some of the best offroad endurance racing in the world and still the premier event. Besides it has been this way for more than a few years now.

The link at the top of my first post goes to his page. It has some additional blog posts and a link to a video that is in Spanish which I do not speak so I am not sure of the details it goes into.

 

[JayTea]

I disagree with you completely.
This race is for pussies and should be named as such.
Dakar Senegal is a nice safe place by the by...

 

[MidTNJasonF]

I disagree with you completely.
This race is for pussies and should be named as such.
Dakar Senegal is a nice safe place by the by...

Sure... Call me when you place on the podium at this or any other serious off road endurance rally.

And Senegal might be but much of North and Central Africa is far from safe.

 

[ksithumper]

He has completed stage 2 also - 530km (about 320miles) of special stage, and reported as being a really tough day for all drivers. Huge achievement.

Does anyone know what power unit he is running?

 

[JayTea]

Sure... Call me when you place on the podium at this or any other serious off road endurance rally.

I was part of the team that rode a 4 wheel pedal car from London to Gibraltar in 2013, nearly 2000 miles. The riders were two gents in their 50's so I can't claim anything on that front but I know tough when I see it. Did you notice any of my posts on these boards? or don't you believe such a trip rates a look in?

Now how about some details on this wonderful Dakar car? Or is that just more NEWS?

 

[MidTNJasonF]

Sure... Call me when you place on the podium at this or any other serious off road endurance rally.

I was part of the team that rode a 4 wheel pedal car from London to Gibraltar in 2013, nearly 2000 miles. The riders were two gents in their 50's so I can't claim anything on that front but I know tough when I see it. Did you notice any of my posts on these boards? or don't you believe such a trip rates a look in?

Now how about some details on this wonderful Dakar car? Or is that just more NEWS?

So let me get this clear... You are opposed to reading "NEWS" about an electric vehicle entering and competing in an international major racing endurance event on a forum for electric vehicles in a sub forum with the description "General Discussion about electric vehicles"?

Sorry I will not share any information I see about people taking on new challenges in electric vehicles.

It is not my car, I am not involved in the effort in any way. I do not have any more details than what was in the link I posted above. I am not from the country the team if from and do not speak the language so digging into further details is probably best left to others that do. I am simply a fan of off road endurance racing and saw the linked blurb above in the general rally coverage.

No I did not dig into your past posts and no your past accomplishments bear no weight on the accomplishments (or lack there of) of the people/vehicle being discussed in this post. I am glad you set out to do something interesting and overcame the obstacles to complete it, good for you.

I have been involved in motor sports racing of some type for a bit more than two decades. I have road raced open wheel cars, sports cars, and vintage motorcycles. I have completed multiple "Iron Butt" long distance events and several on road endurance rallies. I raced mountain bikes for a university team about two lifetimes ago while completing my degree. I have hiked part of the Appalachian Trail and up the side of a couple of mountains. I fabricated part of the rig that took two gentlemen in their 70's by motorcycle from the Southeast US across the country, up to Alaska, East across Canada, and back down the Eastern US coast covering 14,000+ miles. None of that makes me "Special" or worthy of deriding someone's efforts and accomplishments.

You don't like the new "Dakar" event, we get it. Go troll some other thread.

 

[JayTea]

That's a lot of wasted of typing. You're the troll in this thread Sir.

I asked for details of the car and you replied provocatively.

Presumputous bitch that you are, you also imply that I'm
somehow unappreciative of your post. Yes, I would appreciate
knowing what the hell Eco powered means in this case.

You don't know? All you had to do was say as much.

Now away with you little man

 

[MidTNJasonF]

I asked for details of the car and you replied provocatively.

I disagree with you completely.
This race is for pussies and should be named as such.

What's the sense of calling it a 'Dakar' event when they're not crossing the Sahara or arriving in Senegal?

Who replied provocatively and off the topic of electric vehicles?

You don't know? All you had to do was say as much.

The link at the top of my first post goes to his page. It has some additional blog posts and a link to a video that is in Spanish which I do not speak so I am not sure of the details it goes into.

Asked and answered in my early reply to your first inflammatory and pointless post.

I fail to find any point in the thread where I devolved to name calling. The irony of you calling me "Little Man" is laughable.

 

[dnmun]

some people are just jerks and have no business being here. i get insults and stalkers all the time and the insiders do nothing about it except delete my posts when i try to defend myself.

 

[MidTNJasonF]

He has completed stage 2 also - 530km (about 320miles) of special stage, and reported as being a really tough day for all drivers. Huge achievement.

Does anyone know what power unit he is running?

I have been digging and unable to find anymore on details unfortunately

We have widely talked about WHAT we do (First time in history that someone will do the toughest motor race in the world with a car without using fuel), and HOW are we going to do (100% electric car, with 320Km of autonomy 300km, changing batteries every 250 km. in the stage). But like everything in life, the important issue should be WHY we do what we do.

No details on battery pack or motor but states but some general info on range and changing of batteries mid stage.

I personally would be very curious as to how they are charging in the bivouac in the evenings and if any solar or other alternative solutions are in use. If they are running a generator to recharge it has far less meaning in my opinion.

 

[MidTNJasonF]

He has completed stage 2 also - 530km (about 320miles) of special stage, and reported as being a really tough day for all drivers. Huge achievement.

Does anyone know what power unit he is running?

Ignore the previous post. I did find some more info

http://www.accionadakar.es/en/the-project/vehicle/

Claims several things but details are still a bit lacking. (all below cut and pasted from the page linked above.

Motor:
225kW (300hp) at 6,000rpm and 700Nm of torque

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS:
Assembled in cooled packs of 35 kWh per unit. Total of 4 on-board packs (140kWh)

SOLAR PANEL:
0.25m2 with energy generation capacity of 100Wh (12V)

CHASSIS:
Chrome-moly tubing. Light and 25% stronger than steel

BODYWORK:
Extremely strong, light carbon-fibre composite

SHOCK ABSORBER:
Hydraulic/nitrogen (gas) with 5 adjustment levels and 450mm of travel

TYRES:
Puncture-proof 35” rear and 33” front tyres

CHARGING PORT TO CONNECT TO ELECTRICITY NETWORK:
220-415V three-phase port from 16A to 32A

ELECTRIC HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING:
High-performance and extremely durable

CLASS: T1 - “NRJ-ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CHALLENGE”
ENERGY SYSTEM: RANGE OF 350KM IN RACE CONDITIONS
BATTERY RECHARGING SYSTEMS USING THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK: DOMESTIC CHARGING PORT (220V), INDUSTRIAL CONNECTION (400V) AND FAST RECHARGING SYSTEM (50KW)
TOTAL LENGTH: 5.05M / TOTAL WIDTH: 2.18M/ DISTANCE BETWEEN AXLES: 3.16M
HEIGHT: 1.90M (VARIABLE ACCORDING TO SHOCK ABSORBER COMPRESSION)
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 2,550KG (AT MAXIMUM ENERGY CAPACITY)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 2,100KG (AT 75% ENERGY CAPACITY)
MINIMUM WEIGHT: 1,250KG (AT 25% ENERGY CAPACITY)
CHASSIS: CHROME-MOLY TUBING
BODYWORK: EXTREMELY STRONG, LIGHT CARBON-FIBRE COMPOSITE
MOTOR: SYNCHRONOUS ELECTRIC, PRODUCING 220KW (300HP) AT 6,000RPM
TORQUE: 700 NM
BATTERIES: 140KW/H LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES IN 4 REMOVABLE PACKS
SOLAR PANEL: HIGH-PERFORMANCE PANEL PRODUCING 100WH
MAXIMUM SPEED: 150KM/H, SELF-LIMITED ELECTRONICALLY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION (KWH): FROM 20 TO 45KWH/ 100KM (ACCORDING TO TYPE OF TERRAIN)
CO2 EMISSIONS IN RACE: 0 GR.

 

[Stevil_Knevil]

Albert's electric car looks a little worse for ware after completing the second stage..

..only eleven days left!

One motorcycle racer died in this stage of the rally.

I feel stupid for anyone that claims, "Dakar is for pussies."

Go Team Acciona!!

 

[The fingers]

It didn't look so bad until the second photo showed the other side.

 

[Stevil_Knevil]

Pray for a safe stage.

That's our brothers out there, racing with capable - but limited battery packs.

 

[MidTNJasonF]

It didn't look so bad until the second photo showed the other side.

That'll buff right out! :lol:

 

[parabellum]

Carbon Fiber composite resulted being glass fibre composite. Specifications where given by someone unrelated or inacurate aparently. Nice to see electric atacking endurance races!

 

[Dauntless]

http://en.best-of-rallylive.com/Rubriques/Dakar

 

[Punx0r]

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACKS:
Assembled in cooled packs of 35 kWh per unit. Total of 4 on-board packs (140kWh)

MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 2,550KG (AT MAXIMUM ENERGY CAPACITY)
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 2,100KG (AT 75% ENERGY CAPACITY)
MINIMUM WEIGHT: 1,250KG (AT 25% ENERGY CAPACITY)

I think there's a mistake here. Difference between 75% and 25% = 850kg. Multiply by two for total battery capacity = (implied) 1700kg of battery.

140,000Wh / 1700kg = 82 Wh/kg

 

[Punx0r]

Actually, that's probably right. I just compared the VW Golf EV battery and it came out about the same. It's just seems a little low for a pack used at 1.6C max.

 

[Ykick]

Great thread and cool info!

Often best to use the iggy/foe feature and move on. Some pitiful folks just don't feel alive unless they're pissing and moaning about somebody's efforts.

Anyway, I would love to see the Zero m/c team tackle some measure of Baja in the near future. These sort of things can only shine positive light on EV's.

 

[JayTea]

Illiterate Yanks.
I'm the jerk?
You read from the start?
Here it is in American
frock All Y'all
lol

 

[MidTNJasonF]

Illiterate Yanks.
I'm the jerk?
You read from the start?
Here it is in American
frock All Y'all
lol

You finally got a grasp on reading comprehension, good for you.

Yes you are the jerk.

And here I thought it was called the "English" language. It sure took long enough for you to grasp it. :lol:

 

[Stevil_Knevil]

Uh oh..

7.1.2015

On our way to Copiapó

We have finally left Chilecito behind and we’re now on our way to Copiapó! Yesterday, the #ACCIONADakar got disqualified. Thank you so much for your support!

8.1.2015

Message from the Team

As the navigation system wasn’t working, we weren’t able to follow the route from the third stage, so we couldn’t go through the way points. It’s a real shame because the motor from the ACCIONA 100%EcoPowered worked perfectly well.

Once again, we would like to thank everyone for all the support shown during the past few days.

http://www.accionadakar.es/en/message-from-the-team/

Disqualified!
No bueno