Engineering + Design AG (EDAG) has been working with automakers and aviation firms to develop new vehicles since opening in 1969. This German firm is known for its work in turning concepts into production models by creating efficient manufacturing processes. EDAG is most notable in automotive circles for its innovative concepts including the VW Beetle-inspired EDAG Biwak presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2006. EDAG attracted attention at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with an EV concept called the Light Car.
The Light Car name was inspired by EDAG’s use of lightweight materials during its construction. EDAG notes that the Light Car design is intended for a vehicle under 2,700 pounds with lower weights ideal for better fuel economy. The firm worked with manufacturing consultants Linde + Wiemann to mix composites, aluminum and steel into a lightweight frame. EDAG handed over the materials and design to CX-Gruppe, which used high-speed bolting and innovative assembly techniques to create a safe and aerodynamic concept EV.
EDAG balanced discussions of the light frame with the typical metrics used to measure vehicle potential at the Geneva Motor Show. The firm installed two electric motors near the rear wheel wells to keep vehicle weight low while reducing energy waste. The 22kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery used to power these motors is built from 180 battery cells. EDAG says that the mixture of rear wheel motors and a lithium-ion phosphate battery pack allows for a per-charge range of 93 miles. The top speed of the Light Car is limited to 87 miles per hour though drivers would typically use the vehicle for urban driving. The EDAG-designed charging unit in the Light Car recharges the battery to full capacity in less than two hours.
The most remarkable aspect of EDAG’s concept EV is that its design is available to the marketplace. EDAG officials dubbed this concept “Light Car-Open Source” to demonstrate a new approach to automotive design. The rationale behind an open source design is that the marketplace will improve fuel economy, performance and design flaws. Instead of keeping its designs behind an iron curtain, EDAG wants prospective partners to see how the Light Car was designed to facilitate open discussions about green vehicles. The Light Car will evolve from a showroom novelty in Geneva to an implementable design created by the automotive market.
