German engineering firm FEV Motorentechnik GmbH has been involved in developing green vehicle technology for the past decade. FEV’s Aachen-based headquarters has coordinated with R&D teams in China, India and the United States to create an EV drive system. The firm has also conducted research into continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) for EVs as well as parallel hybrid systems. FEV trotted out its LiiON Drive EV with Wankel range extender at the recent Vienna Motor Symposium.
The LiiON Drive EV uses a Fiat 500 body design in an appeal to European automotive sensibilities. This prototype is powered by a 12 kWh battery pack and electric motor. FEV worked with parts firm AIXRO to create the 20kW Wankel range extender, which is located in the traditional spot for the fuel tank. The company made the LiiON Drive EV available as part of the event’s Ride & Drive event where visitors tested out new vehicles. FEV representatives noted that the LiiON Drive EV may be a prototype but it has been road tested and meets EU safety standards.
FEV demonstrated that the Wankel range extender significantly boosts the range of the LiiON Drive EV. The prototype without the range extender can travel up to 50 miles per charge, which would meet the needs of European commuters. With the range extension, FEV claims that its EV could travel up to 190 miles between stops at charging stations. The FEV drive system is electronically limited to 75 miles per hour to stretch range for daily commutes. The LiiON Drive EV can reach 37 miles per hour from a dead stop in less than six seconds.
FEV earned the E-Car Tech Award in 2009 for an earlier version of the LiiON Drive EV. The prototype has already been certified for public use in the European Union based on safety and performance testing. The LiiON Drive EV with Wankel range extender is fast enough and features sufficient range to placate the needs of most European consumers. It is only a matter of time until FEV works with an automaker to develop a production version of its electric drive. FEV will hopefully incorporate its E-CVT and other innovations into the final version of the LiiON Drive EV to ensure higher performance and efficiency.
