This week’s meeting of the Society of Auto Engineers (SAE) World Congress was the setting for a new range-extended electric vehicle (ReEV) from FEV Inc. Attendees of the SAE World Congress were dazzled by a range-extended Hummer H3 prototype as well as the more practical FEV ReEV. While Hummer’s extended-range H3 prototype may get more attention, the FEV ReEV is more likely to reach the market. The FEV ReEV uses the popular Dodge Caliber pictured above to house a hybrid drive system with plug-in capability.
The FEV drive system combines a three-cylinder, four-valve gas engine with the UQM PowerPhase generator. This generator is capable of producing 75 kW in electrical power with a continuous 45 kW available to reduce gas usage. FEV also installed a UQM PowerPhase traction motor to keep the wheels moving smoothly whether it is in all electric or gas mode. The FEV drive system uses a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to keep these components running at full capacity.
FEV’s presentation to auto engineers and experts showed that the prototype offers a modest improvement over conventional cars. The FEV ReEV is capable of traveling up to 40 miles on all-electric power, staying competitive with proposed all-electrics like the Chevy Volt. This ReEV prototype takes 8.3 seconds to get from zero to 60mph, a modest figure that may improve if this prototype turns into reality. The FEV ReEV is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 84 miles per hour which is a relatively minor decrease over the Dodge Caliber’s top speed.
FEV Inc. presented its ReEV prototype to demonstrate its ability to design and implement hybrid technologies using a variety of platforms. The entire process from drive train design to implementation was completed at FEV’s Auburn Hills, MI hybrid and EV research center. As American and foreign automakers look to create the next generation of vehicles, an innovator like FEV Inc. will be critical to the successful production of hybrid vehicles. The FEV ReEV features a hybrid drivetrain and plug-in features that can be customized to vehicles ranging from the Toyota Yaris to GM trucks. The next step for FEV Inc. is to find a way to include regenerative braking, passive solar and other energy-producing methods to complement its hybrid drive train.
