Yet another plug-in parallel hybrid retrofit - hub motors
 

http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/

http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/images/PousenHybrid6.jpg

Uses a pair of 5 kW / 7 hp hub motors attached to the rear wheels and a 72v battery pack.

http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/_images//hybridImg.jpg

Sounds a little hookie to me, it's torque arm just screws to the body of the car, if I was installing something like that I would want a sub frame almost like after market trailer hitches use, and I have to wonder how well it works for being as cheap as it is ($3,300), because you are basically getting two systems (two motors, two controllers) that run off a single battery pack, some of the good E-bike kits cost almost that much... so if this is real then making it fit a bike or motorcycle would be the next step.
I'll be interested in seeing if anyone has one at the Mid West Renewable Energy Fair this year.

Yeah I'm not so sure how well this kit will work on "95% of cars" but its an interesting idea. I would like to see some real world testing. Also adding 38lb to each corner will absolutely kill your ride quality. Also how much aerodynamic drag does it add at freeway speeds?

The best part about this pic is the torque arm is bolted onto the plastic bumper cover.

I think it is a smart idea, innovative bolt on hybridization :thumbup:. I'll admit that the torque arm mount isn't ideal but could be easily modified to connect under the car.

I am in great favor of the concept, but if I were in a position to do it, I sure wouldn't be typing the torque arm to the plastic bumper. These web marketing pieces sure make lot's of claims.

If someone ever finds someone who is really using something like this, it would be great to know.

I'd have to think they've got structural reinforcement behind the bumper cover. It wouldn't last past the first test drive otherwise.

The idea has potential, but the "6 Deep Cycle Lead Acid batteries" in the trunk is going to be a bummer, not to mention the added weight from all the other hardware.

Nifty
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I wish that there was a commercially available hub motor . . . Normal style

Anybody else go to SEMA 2006? Kumho was big on a Hub Motor setup. I went by in 07 and asked everyone in the both who wasn't a stripper at night about them, and they didn't have any info for me. One engineer took my info and promised to send me more info, but I never got anything Err.

Edit: For reference, any Idea on what kind of "Peak" Horsepower the Forkenswift is capable of?

The ForkenSwift's motor didn't come with a tag showing its stats, but if I had to guess, I'd say it's between 10-20 hp continuous. Those are the stats for 6.7" to 8" diameter Advanced DC motors (commonly used in small EV conversions), and the FS motor is 8".

Of course a motor can generate peak power many times more than its continous rating for short bursts (accelerating).

EDIT: so, power wise, it's roughly on par with what these people are doing.