Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Electrosport
The Electrosport (also described as "Electric-sport") was a compact-sized electric vehicle based on the AMC Hornet that were converted by the Electric Fuel Propulsion Company (EFP) of Ferndale, Michigan.
The zero-emission Electrosport concept cars were made using American Motors Corporation (AMC) Hornet sedans and “Sportabout” station wagons from 1971 until 1974.
The Electrosport was designed to be a supplementary vehicle for commuting or daily chores and to be recharged at home using household electric current as well as at Charge Stations when away from home to replenish power in 45 minutes.
The company also established the “World's First Electric Car Expressway” between Detroit and Chicago - a distance of about 300 miles (483 km) - that consisted of Interstate 94, but with six 50 kW charging stations that were located at Holiday Inn hotels near the highway. Additional charging stations were planned.
An EFP designed 20 hp (15 kW; 20 PS) direct current series-wound traction motor (the size of a one-gallon paint can) was bolted through an aluminum adapter plate to the car's standard clutch and 3-speed manual transmission. The motor was similar to that offered to teams in the Great Electric Race and capable of speeds up to 90 miles per hour (145 km/h). A total of 24 six-volt “TriPolar” cobalt-lead storage batteries were mounted under the hood and under a plywood floor in the trunk. These improved lead-cobalt batteries recharge fast and can go as many as 250 miles (400 km) between charges.
The company, and its president, Robert R. Aronson, were awarded several patents including the "Fifth Generation Lead Cobalt Battery". One 12-volt battery was provided for the car's lights and accessories. The solid-state, stopless controller was a modified unit from a forklift truck. An auxiliary gasoline heater with a one-gallon tank provided heat and defrosting. The system was called "Thunderbolt" by EFP and was billed as potentially installable in many different standard production Detroit automobiles.
The exterior of the Electrosport was differentiated from regular production Hornets by a one-piece solid fiberglass body-colored panel in place of the AMC's silver and black plastic grille. Additional gauges were added to the instrument panel. The Hornet's gas cap covered the three-prong plug mounted in the former fuel tank filler hole to which an extension cord connected to 220-volt AC power.
While reviewing a prototype, Motor Trend magazine indicated that cruising in second gear keeps the motor close to its 7000 revolutions per minute maximum will draw the least amount of electric current from the batteries, thus achieving a further range between recharges. The non-assisted brakes required a lot of pressure on the pedal because of the heavy weight of the car with its batteries – a total of 5,500 pounds (2,495 kg) in a chassis designed for 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) created problems. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph was described as rather slow at 30 seconds, but flooring the accelerator in third gear produced the same sensation as in a large-sized car with a V8 engine and automatic transmission, clocking 12.5 seconds to go from 50 to 70 miles per hour (80 to 113 km/h).
Hub AI
Electrosport AI simulator
(@Electrosport_simulator)
Electrosport
The Electrosport (also described as "Electric-sport") was a compact-sized electric vehicle based on the AMC Hornet that were converted by the Electric Fuel Propulsion Company (EFP) of Ferndale, Michigan.
The zero-emission Electrosport concept cars were made using American Motors Corporation (AMC) Hornet sedans and “Sportabout” station wagons from 1971 until 1974.
The Electrosport was designed to be a supplementary vehicle for commuting or daily chores and to be recharged at home using household electric current as well as at Charge Stations when away from home to replenish power in 45 minutes.
The company also established the “World's First Electric Car Expressway” between Detroit and Chicago - a distance of about 300 miles (483 km) - that consisted of Interstate 94, but with six 50 kW charging stations that were located at Holiday Inn hotels near the highway. Additional charging stations were planned.
An EFP designed 20 hp (15 kW; 20 PS) direct current series-wound traction motor (the size of a one-gallon paint can) was bolted through an aluminum adapter plate to the car's standard clutch and 3-speed manual transmission. The motor was similar to that offered to teams in the Great Electric Race and capable of speeds up to 90 miles per hour (145 km/h). A total of 24 six-volt “TriPolar” cobalt-lead storage batteries were mounted under the hood and under a plywood floor in the trunk. These improved lead-cobalt batteries recharge fast and can go as many as 250 miles (400 km) between charges.
The company, and its president, Robert R. Aronson, were awarded several patents including the "Fifth Generation Lead Cobalt Battery". One 12-volt battery was provided for the car's lights and accessories. The solid-state, stopless controller was a modified unit from a forklift truck. An auxiliary gasoline heater with a one-gallon tank provided heat and defrosting. The system was called "Thunderbolt" by EFP and was billed as potentially installable in many different standard production Detroit automobiles.
The exterior of the Electrosport was differentiated from regular production Hornets by a one-piece solid fiberglass body-colored panel in place of the AMC's silver and black plastic grille. Additional gauges were added to the instrument panel. The Hornet's gas cap covered the three-prong plug mounted in the former fuel tank filler hole to which an extension cord connected to 220-volt AC power.
While reviewing a prototype, Motor Trend magazine indicated that cruising in second gear keeps the motor close to its 7000 revolutions per minute maximum will draw the least amount of electric current from the batteries, thus achieving a further range between recharges. The non-assisted brakes required a lot of pressure on the pedal because of the heavy weight of the car with its batteries – a total of 5,500 pounds (2,495 kg) in a chassis designed for 3,000 lb (1,400 kg) created problems. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph was described as rather slow at 30 seconds, but flooring the accelerator in third gear produced the same sensation as in a large-sized car with a V8 engine and automatic transmission, clocking 12.5 seconds to go from 50 to 70 miles per hour (80 to 113 km/h).