Company visit e-Traction
Despite the severe cold and the forecast of snow, 25 participants had come to Apeldoorn to get acquainted with E-traction. Owner/director Arjan Heinen Sr, himself an active member of Kivi Niria, welcomed us and invited us to first take a ride together through the neighbourhood in the new demo bus, The Whisper. While we drove, Arjan started his presentation. We noticed that the demo bus is really whisper quiet (<62dB).
Arjan has been in the electric drive business for over 30 years. He started in forklifts and other industrial vehicles, but in 1998 he picked up the idea of developing something for passenger transport. This started when he realised that both the internal combustion engine and the transmission line for these types of vehicles are oversized by a factor of 10 as standard. On average, a city bus needs no more than 23 kW, even at top speed. This idea was patented in 2000, after which E-traction has now spent over 10 years developing the idea further and marketing it.
Technically, this has resulted in a bus with a battery pack, which in normal use can be driven for about 1.5 to 2 hours (about 50 kWh). To be able to drive for a whole day, a range extender is needed, a small diesel engine of 23 kW, just enough to constantly replenish the average consumption, so the batteries never run empty. When braking, about 70% of the kinetic energy is recovered to minimise losses. For emergencies, mechanical brakes are also on board to ensure emergency braking at all times.
The wheel hub motor developed for the bus is, well, only half the project. At least as much attention is paid to implementing electric alternatives for all functions normally provided by the combustion engine. Think of vacuum for power brakes, heating, air conditioning, an alternator for all low-voltage consumers, hydraulics for power steering, etc. All this is built together in a compact engine unit that can be installed as a single unit in the back of the bus. This too is an indispensable link in the whole.
The breakthrough of the electric city bus is thus technically solved. What is now needed is the political courage to invest in the future. An electric bus costs more in purchase than a conventional bus, but over its 10-year lifespan, the electric bus is really the cheapest solution. This arithmetic has already been done in Korea, resulting in an order to convert 2,000 buses. A pilot project for this is currently being prepared as a first step. This also shows that choosing this niche market was the right choice.
The future is application in passenger cars. Thanks to the two Awards from Frost and Sullivan for technical development (2008) and sustainability (2010), this has come within reach and contact has now been made with a car factory in the south of the country. The ultimate goal here is to run cars on just 10% of current consumption; the rest is 'loss and entertainment', says Arjan. Think of around 70-80 kg of batteries, enough for 70-80 km of city traffic and with a lifespan of 2,500 deep cycles. The range-extender will consist of a light high-revving wankel engine that will be sourced as a kit from the aircraft industry. Top speed will be around 150 km/h with a range of about 1,200 km.
Afterwards, drinks were served, with no one seeming in a hurry to go home despite the weather. It was therefore a very inspiring meeting with a view to the future.
Dick Kroon
15-2-2010
Description
E-Traction, a young and innovative company based in Apeldoorn, is the inventor and manufacturer of TheWheel®. As electric power is increasingly used in vehicle propulsion, it is time to consider the role of the mechanical driveline. Gearbox, differential, drive shafts, etc., besides being a source of failures and substantial weight, are also responsible for significant energy loss. This can be avoided by providing each wheel with its own electric motor with integrated electronic control. Two cables for power supply and data transmission complete this quiet, comfortable and efficient drive system.
We will start with a ride in The Whisper, an electric city bus up to the latest standards. Afterwards, Mr Arjan Heinen Sr. will give a presentation on the company, its developments the future expectations.
SPECIALITIES
Maximum number of participants: 25.
Location
Vissenstraat 36, 7324 AL Apeldoorn
Organiser
Region East
Name and contact details for information
Further information from Elfride Dijkstra-ten Dam, tel: 053-4894097 or via the e-mail address below.