Fisker Karma - Range extended Electric vehicle

Fisker Karma

The Sleek 'design copied from a Cheetah' Fisker Karma has Dual electric traction motors, driving the rear wheels through a limited slip differential. With a 50 mile electric range, a full length solar roof and a 2.0l turbocharged motor giving it a 300 mile total range. 0-60mph takes just 6.3 sec and Fisker have made sure of a very low co-efficient of drag (0.313cd). Top speed is limited to 125mph. Place your orders it's due to hit the showrooms in 2012. 

The motor

This is the kind of motor I would like to use in the velomobile wheels. It is a cam drive. The pistons make multiple strokes per revolution. This is ideal because the velomobile wheel rotates at low speeds (~ 500 rpm). The Hagglunds has to be scaled down a little. The smallest type weighs ~800 kg has a displacement of 15100 cc (15.1 liter) and produces 530 kW.

The Hagglunds Compact hydraulic motor

Efficiency of this machine is high but should be improved for the velomobile. Options for improving the efficiency may be found in reducing leakage, friction and optimizing the commutation. The velomobile motor may have a cam with 3 or 4 waves, 4 or 5 pistons and a total displacement of ~2 cc per revolution. The transmission ratio may be controlled by switching on and off the pistons with valves (see Artemis intelligent Power and this video). See also this page

 

12 New Year's resolutions for paddlers

If you've outgrown your drysuit, go ahead and resolve to lose some weight. Otherwise, try these on for size and choose the ones that fit.

In 2012, I resolve to...

1. Work on skills that don't come easily to me.

2. Seek out a mentor who can challenge me in my long-term development as a paddler.

3. Join organizations that protect the environment.

4. Introduce kayaking to someone else.

5. Complete a risk assessment every time I go out on the water and file a float plan.

6. Learn to repair my boat and gear (or at least some of it).

7. Engage in a thoughtful debrief after each paddle to learn from my experiences.

8. Support my local paddlesport shop as much as possible.

9. Practice rescues in the conditions and seasons in which I paddle.

10. Learn to tie a new knot.

11. Learn a related body of knowledge (e.g.wilderness first aid, leave no trace, meteorology).

12. Paddle in unfamiliar waters (preferably outside my region).

We hope 2012 is a happy, healthy year that fulfills all your paddling desires.

Best,

Sharon + Alec

Driving to the Put In: Grand Canyon 2012!

Driving down to Flagstaff with the home team.

Well today we are driving up to the Put In for our trip through the Grand Canyon.  I was lucky enough to have my home team along for the ride and a quick glimpse at Monument Valley, and the South Rim so they could see where I was going to be for the next couple weeks.  It was a perfect day to drive down to Flagstaff and meet up with the river team.

My home for the next couple weeks.

It was great to see the team in Flagstaff for final packing and celebration of 3 New Years.  East Coast, Central, and Mountain.  I think the packing got a little sloppy in the end.  We'll see if we got it all on board.  Happy New Years Everyone!  See ya on the water.

Shane

Last minute packing on New Years Eve!

Sim-Lei - Electric Car

The Sim-Lei has an extremely efficient body design

With its 24.9 kWh lithium-ion batteries made by Toshiba, the SIM-LEI achieves a travelling distance of 333km on a single battery charge in the Japanese JC08 testing mode (simulating mainly city driving) as well as 305km at a constant 100km/h cruising. When compared to the Nissan Leaf electric car that has a range of 200km in JC08 mode with its 24kWh battery, the SIM-LEI’s energy efficiency is about 1.5 times better than the Leaf. Impressive if....errrmmm weird looking.

Motoczysz EP1 - Electric Racing Motorcycle

Motoczysz at the IOM TT Zero race

Motoczysz may not be a well known name, but in a short time they have re-written motorcycling history.

The Isle of Man TT races are a gruelling, demanding and extremely dangerous series of races held over a 37 and 3/4 mile course in the middle of the Irish Sea. The riders and machines travel at incomprehensible speeds through villages and country roads seeking the ultimate motorcycling challenge.

Motoczysz won the 1 lap TT Zero race with American Mark Miller in 2010, and repeated the feat with a one-two finish in 2011 for Michael Rutter and Mark Miller. This incredible electric bike has 125hp equivalent and weighs 238kg

lightning GT - Electric car

Lightning GT

Built by the Lightning Car Company, based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, this running prototype combines elegant GT looks with electric power. the Lightning looks fantastic, in a cool modern-retro kinda way. And Lightning has big plans to develop its new zero-emissions supercar.

Powered by Lithium-Titanate batteries, it generates a 400hp equivalent 44kW and can be charged in only 10 minutes, with the off-board charger thanks to it's Lithium-Titanate batteries (although using the domestic charging system will take up to 15 hours). With the help of regenerative braking, the firm hopes the car will have a range of nearly 150 miles and a 0-60mph time of less than five seconds. It’s powered by two electric motors - driving the rear wheels - The makers are hoping to start deliveries this year. expect to pay around the £120,000 mark. 

The Lightning GT has been seen around London, and various other events, such as the Goodwood festival of speed in preparation for it's production run.