New Year's Resolution: Scratch Building an FE (diesel electric hybrid) car.....
 

After much thinking, and many drinks, I've decided that current car offerings are unsuitable for super high fuel economy numbers. So, I've decided to jump in and build my own high-mpg car..

Goals are:

1.Capable of freeway speeds
2.Under 5K (this one might be hard)
3.Over 100mpg.

Luckily I have the help on an engineer friend who will help me create an electric-diesel vehicle. For registration purposes (and to drive in the carpool lane) it will be three wheeled, even though I didn't really want it to be. For power I'm starting out with an old-school E-tek electric motor, which provides a constant 30 lb-ft of torque. Not much you say? Well this sucker is going to be LIGHT.

Since I am a dreamer, but no fabricator, I'l be starting out with a t-bucket chassis and front suspension, most likely from Total Performance of some other similar shop. The rear suspension will be a motorcycle swingarm, and the regen for the electric motor will be a 10hp diesel generator which uses about 1 gallon per 5 hours at 12 volts. I've built a T-bucket before, and I can tell you that the chassis, front suspension, and steering only weighs a few hundred pounds.

I'll be running a 24 volt alternator off of a motorhome for a charging system, and I expect the running vehicle to be well under 1000 pounds with a rollcage (don't want to get smashed by LA traffic)....since my Chevette only makes about 70 lb-ft at peak, and weighs 2400 pounds, the vehicle should be plenty fast to "keep up with traffic."

Wish me luck guys and gals, I'll keep updating this thread as I make progress......

For now, here is an example of what I'll be shooting for, minus the hi-po engine but with a much more enclosed bodywork....

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4...ympus69ck5.jpg

you could use a fork lift electric motor

I like it! Especially the Gatling guns mounted inboard of the front wheels :-)

Wow - looks like a major challenge to me!
GOOD LUCK with it!!!

Wow, you type well for someone who's had many drinks . :p

Sounds interesting. Subscribed.

PS - I added "diesel hybrid electric" to the thread title. Hope you don't mind.

I'm a writer by trade so that helps...and spell check can be a good friend for those who type fast and carelessly :D

Oh, and as I learned from the GM guys, the car will actually be an E-REV (extended range electric vehicle) since only the electric portion of the power system will be driving the wheels. I just figured a diesel engine would be the most efficient generator until something else comes up.

My resolution is to make my s-10 hit the 35gpm mark.