Hybrid home conversion with rear hub motors

[metromizer]

Taken from the Michelin hub motor link:

"Together, the two front wheels deliver a steady 41 horsepower, which can spurt up to 82 hp for short sprints. The Will should do 0-100 km (0 - 62 mph) in 10 seconds and will have a max speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).

Lithium ion batteries will be delivered in three modular configurations, offering ranges of 150, 300 and 400 km (93, 186 and 248 miles). Just like hybrids, the Active Wheels recover energy during braking to extend vehicle range. The in-wheel motors are reported to be 90% efficient, compared to about 20% efficiency for a conventional vehicle in city driving..."

sounds great to me.

[quote]Would rideability and enjoyability go against hub motors?[quote\]

I had a relavent discussion with a group of guys I work with last night...

The scene: Indoor go-kart track, after 2 hours of racing around with my co-workers, call it a team bonding afterwork meeting. We are standing in parking lot, BSing before heading to our respective homes. I had just out qualified, and won our little race, my fastest lap was .75 seconds under my clossest co-worker. Said another way.. I spanked 'em. Gordon, climbs into his newish 996 Porsche (pure sex on wheels looks and sound to go with it btw), and he drives off. Paul, climbs into his 1990 Porsche 911, and chips the tires on his way out of the parking lot. We are all adniring these beatuful peices of (albiet expensive) automotive art and mechanical muscle. I get congratulated again on the solid win, and Mark quwips "So what are you driving?" knowing I've been around race cars for the 20 years we've worked together. I reply, motioning my head toward the '96 Metro "right there... 3 cyliders of fury, baby!" Everyone laughs... "Fifty-four screamin' horsepower, but, my last 5 tanks of fuel show I'm averaging 45mpg!" The laughs stopped. "Slow on the street, fast on the track maybe?" I ask... "Goodnight, guys"

Maybe I have already made that huge shift... my ego isn't attached to my daily mule that I drive to work, and I'm ok with that.

[Clev]

Originally Posted by metromizer

Taken from the Michelin hub motor link:

"Together, the two front wheels deliver a steady 41 horsepower, which can spurt up to 82 hp for short sprints. The Will should do 0-100 km (0 - 62 mph) in 10 seconds and will have a max speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).

That's a cool way to do it--use a separate motor and gear it into the wheel. I still wonder how well it will climb hills--if it's geared for 87 mph, it's the equivalent of climbing a hill in fourth gear in a Metro--from a stop. I also wonder how long the "short sprints" are at 82 hp. With a 14.4 pound motor taking in 30kW, and dissipating 3kW of it as heat, probably not too long.

[max_frontal_area]

Originally Posted by Clev

Forklift and EV motors weigh 60 to 125 pounds or more--of course they're going to handle more abuse. Wheel motors need to be lighter to reduce unsprung weight. Besides, EV motors mostly experience tortional stresses and shocks to the shaft. The impacts a wheel motor receive are equivalent to dropping it on its side, with only the tire between the asphalt and the motor. This means stronger bearings, casing and rotor assembly.

well said clev!