CarBEN Model -- 1/24th scale model and 3D computer model for EV

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello & welcome to the beginning of a project that I think/hope I can pull off -- I'm trying to build an EV from scratch. I have started with making a 1/24th scale (aka 1/2" = 1') model of the car I have been contemplating. It is approximately 13 feet long by 5 feet 8 inches wide by 5 feet high. In other words, it is very similar to my Scion xA -- it is about 2 inches wider and 5-6 inches taller. Here are photos of the model so far:







So, what do you think? I need to find some 1" diameter (2 feet scale) wheels -- my intent is to have them fully inboard and skirted. The fronts would have to be slightly articulated i.e. the skirts would move when turning sharply.

[Old Mechanic]

Model airplane wheels.

Looks like the Boxfish.

regards
Mech

[luvit]

now take up smoking and get some clear pvc tubing and a low speed fan for your wind tunnel.

inhaling not required

[winkosmosis]

I don't like it (or the Boxfish). If you're making an electric car, why not make it sleek and beautiful? The last thing electric cars need is more Steve Urkel nerdy stigma.

[NeilBlanchard]

I think it is sleek and beautiful! I have to make it practical, too. I'm hoping to have 5 seats, and the driver will sit in the center front (like the Pillbug). And I like sitting upright -- I detest low reclining seats in cars.

A good pickup on the Boxfish inspiration -- actually, it is between the Boxfish (Cd = 0.19):

and it's earlier model (Cd = 0.095):

The front is more from the Boxfish, and the covered wheels and the general shape is from the blue model. I'm leaving off the sharp pointy bits in the very back.

The batteries (and supercapacitor?) will be under the floor, and interior floor will be flat. I'm going to try to use hub motors. There are other things that I am trying to work out, and I'll post progress photos and updates as I go along.

P.S. Who is Steve Urkel?

[moonmonkey]

it does look somewhat like the boxfish,, but i like the boxfish and would buy one if its ever made avalible at a resonable cost, if your shape is a low drag one,, go for it i like it!

[RobertSmalls]

Bah, EVs and aeromodding should be a nerdly pursuit. I love my Insight, and the people with whom I choose to associate accept my Insight.

Neil: If you photoshop (or paint) some tires, doors, and glazing onto it, we'd get a better idea of what you have in mind. As it stands, the front glass looks a little hard to manufacture, and the lower rear glass... has a crease in it. :P

What kind of usage profile, specs, budget, and battery chemistry do you have in mind? Were you going to use a donor chassis?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi Robert,

I'm going to add wheels and possible paint it -- after I also shape the bottom and work out some more details.

I would build the chassis from scratch, I think -- I've only done a little welding, but my brother owns a MIG setup and my nephew is a trained welder.

For batteries, I'm assuming lithium iron phosphate, ans if I can work it out, I'll use a supercapacitor, too. At first, I might use a single AC motor for front wheel drive, but if I can find 'em, I'll use some hub motors.

[Bicycle Bob]

I hope you have some idea of the time and expense involved in making a car from scratch, to a standard that other people would ride in it. Homebuilt aircraft are much simpler, on average, and usually have plans and other support available. 10% of them are completed by the first builder, 10% by the second, and 10% by the third, with 70% being scrapped before use. Most cars have more man-years just in design work than you have available in your whole life. There are a few exceptionally talented builders; have you been astounding people with your other projects? Energetically, custom cars only pay off if they have features that get copied in production cars.

[luvit]

i can't do it... did you see that motorcycle with the streamline shell? i couldn't even make time to make that little thing.
i doubt mine would look at sweet as the original.