Marc
2nd June 2005, 04:44 PM
Welsh car team pioneer electric dream
Jun 1 2005
From: icWales (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/)
Imagine an electric car that produces hardly any noise, no air pollution, and is as fast as a Ferrari. It might become a reality in the near future, thanks to a revolutionary new motor designed by an enterprising team in Wales. If the IMP motor meets expectations, it could usher in a new age of rapid, clean, electric transport.
As well as high performance vehicles, there are plans for a battery-powered family car with a range of hundreds of miles.
Electric cars to date have been more reminiscent of milk floats than Formula One. It is hard not to laugh when recalling Sir Clive Sinclair's C5 electric three-wheeler, which was supposed to be the ideal urban runabout, but proved a catastrophic flop. However the new motor being developed by IMP Ltd, a Welsh engineering company based in Neath, really could put electric vehicles in the fast lane.
The motor is revolutionary in that it contains no bulky permanent magnets. Instead it relies on transmitting electric pulses across up to seven rotors, arranged in different phases. These are "fired up" in turn, much like the pistons of an internal combustion engine.
There are no gears - the motor provides enough torque at one revolution per minute to put a vehicle into motion - and it spins at up to 2,500rpm.
"Size for size, we can provide 400% more torque than any type of motor currently available," says managing director John Bryant.
He is now hoping to team up with a sports car manufacturer, such as Lotus or TVR. Theoretically an electric racing car driven by four of the motors - one for each wheel - could hold its own in Formula One.
"Electric vehicles still carry the stigma of the Sinclair," says Mr Bryant. "Forget it. This will outstrip a Ferrari."
At present, providing enough battery life is a problem. But battery technology is improving all the time, and Mr Bryant does not see it as a major obstacle. If he finds the right automotive partner, a prototype electric car that would put a smile on Michael Schumacher's face could be ready within two years.
Jun 1 2005
From: icWales (http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/)
Imagine an electric car that produces hardly any noise, no air pollution, and is as fast as a Ferrari. It might become a reality in the near future, thanks to a revolutionary new motor designed by an enterprising team in Wales. If the IMP motor meets expectations, it could usher in a new age of rapid, clean, electric transport.
As well as high performance vehicles, there are plans for a battery-powered family car with a range of hundreds of miles.
Electric cars to date have been more reminiscent of milk floats than Formula One. It is hard not to laugh when recalling Sir Clive Sinclair's C5 electric three-wheeler, which was supposed to be the ideal urban runabout, but proved a catastrophic flop. However the new motor being developed by IMP Ltd, a Welsh engineering company based in Neath, really could put electric vehicles in the fast lane.
The motor is revolutionary in that it contains no bulky permanent magnets. Instead it relies on transmitting electric pulses across up to seven rotors, arranged in different phases. These are "fired up" in turn, much like the pistons of an internal combustion engine.
There are no gears - the motor provides enough torque at one revolution per minute to put a vehicle into motion - and it spins at up to 2,500rpm.
"Size for size, we can provide 400% more torque than any type of motor currently available," says managing director John Bryant.
He is now hoping to team up with a sports car manufacturer, such as Lotus or TVR. Theoretically an electric racing car driven by four of the motors - one for each wheel - could hold its own in Formula One.
"Electric vehicles still carry the stigma of the Sinclair," says Mr Bryant. "Forget it. This will outstrip a Ferrari."
At present, providing enough battery life is a problem. But battery technology is improving all the time, and Mr Bryant does not see it as a major obstacle. If he finds the right automotive partner, a prototype electric car that would put a smile on Michael Schumacher's face could be ready within two years.
