SIM-Drive Achieves 333 km Range per Charge in Early Model of EV

SIM-Drive Corp., a university-launched venture company directed by Professor Hiroshi Shimizu at Keio University, announced on March 29, 2011, that their early model has achieved a range of 333 km per charge while in a driving mode aimed at Japanese downtown driving. The model was completed in a joint effort with 34 organizations starting in January 2010 and is called the SIM-LEI. The name stands for Shimizu In-wheel Motor-drive Leading Efficiency In-wheel motor.

SIM-LEI's battery capacity is 24.9 kWh, which is almost the same as electric vehicles (EVs) sold on the market. However, its alternating current power consumption rate is 77 Wh/km, which is equivalent to a gasoline fuel efficiency of 70 km per liter, thereby ensuring a long range. Furthermore, the vehicle body has a total length of 4700 mm and a total width of 1600 mm, giving it a somewhat roomy interior. It has also recorded a time of 4.8 seconds for 0-100km/h from a standing start, which is comparable to high-performance sports cars.

SIM-Drive, founded in August 2009, aims to provide the highest level of EV technology and information at the lowest cost to all those involved with EVs. SIM-LEI's performance is achieved by weight saving on the vehicle body and highly efficient energy regeneration, in addition to SIM-Drive's proprietary technologies, as represented by the in-wheel motor.

The company says that the success of SIM-LEI has demonstrated that EVs can have superior long-distance and energy consumption performance, and that more electric power plants are not required for overnight EV battery charging, even if all the vehicles in Japan are replaced with EVs.

Kanagawa Pref. Announces Concept Vehicle for Electric Bus with Low, Full Flat Floor (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/030633.html

Posted: 2011/07/18 06:00:15 AM