ElectraDrive - The Case For Electric Traction

PARC Cleantech Forum Series
March 19, 2009

Fraser Murison Smith
CEO, ElectraDrive

415-425-9891

Abstract

The present fuel crisis is serving to focus unprecedented attention in the developed world on how and why we use motor vehicles. While an increasing number of options beyond petroleum are being explored, the rate of growth in vehicle ownership in emerging economies is expected to carry the number of road vehicles worldwide from 800 million today to two billion by mid-century. If global carbon dioxide emissions are to be stabilized, it will be necessary for these additional 1.2 billion vehicles to be powered in a way that does not produce significant amounts of CO2.

This Forum will present a case for electricity as the superior energy option to serve our mobility needs. The talk will discuss the implications of converting existing vehicles to electric drive on the demand for new vehicles. The talk will also cover how an electric-vehicle world would affect fuel supplies, electricity supply, atmospheric emissions, and geopolitics. The focus of the talk is primarily on the United States; however, its conclusions are relevant to all regions of the world.

ElectraDrive Overview

• ElectraDrive is coming out with a serial hybrid conversion kit
• ElectraDrive won transportation of Clean Tech Open 2008

Case for Electric Vehicles

• 250 Million registered vehicles in US, 800 worldwide
• Grow to 2 billion worldwide by 2050
• Turnover 6-7% per year in US
• 20c per mile for gas, 4c for electric (US DOE: Urban cycle)
• 50% of miles are for trips of 30 miles or less
• Urban miles are 63% (45 mph), highway 37% (DoT)
• Off peak electricity is $0.70 per gallon equivalent
• 30-40kW for 70 MPH, 55-70kW for 2% grade (4000 lb vehicle, 2% is grade from Sacramento to Donner Summit)
• Herman Daly, “Steady State Economics”
• EPRI: 50% EV penetration by 2030, charging at night only needs 6% more baseload
• Vehicle-to-building (V2B) much easier than V2G

ElectraDrive Details

• Genset (electric generator) is 500-1000cc, running 3000-4000 rpm, so gets about 50-70 mpg
• If genset averages 60 mpg over 37% highway = 162 mpge (miles per gallon equivalent)
• 1 gallon has a total of 34 kWh of energy. At 20 mpg / 34 kWh/g = 0.59 mpkWh (miles per kWh)
• EREV (extended range ev, serial hybrid) at 60 mpg / 34 kWh/g = 1.76 mpkWh
• Aggregate over city and highway EREV is 97 mpge
• ElectraDrive price about $18,000. $20,000 price + $3,000 install – $4,000 tax credit = $18,000. Dropping to $14,000 in 2013
• Batteries are $2,700. Looking at some new technology but also can use standard AGM
• Pickup cost is $20,000, so conversion to electric is equivalent cost but extends life
• Gas cost $14,000 over 5 years ($3.40 gallon, 13/17 mpg)