You are currently browsing the forum as a guest which gives you limited access. To make use of all forum features such as posting to topics, reply to other postings, starting polls and using the Private Messaging System (PM) you are invited to register. Registration is free and simple. All you need is an e-mail address and a password and you are ready to go! Sign up and join the Green Car Network today!
Should you have problems with the registration process, please contact us.
Li-ion TWIKE announced for 2008
| Author | Message |
|---|---|
|
Written on: 08 October 2007 [22:12]
|
|
|
ecoadmin
Administrator
Topic creator
registered since: 20.07.2007
Posts: 585
|
The TWIKE manufacturer FineMobile GmbH in Germany has officially announced the introduction of the Li-ion TWIKE. The new Li-ion Twike will be available next year and offers a range of more than 120km at a good speed. The Li-Ion batteries will have many advantages over older battery technologies such as NiCd and NiMH (memory effect , discharging, user management). Battery prices for the first series of new LION TWIKES: 8Ah LiIon, 2x4 Ah, 35kg, Charge ~2h, Cycles ~1500, €4700/~6800 USD Depending on style of driving, range is approx. 40-80km 12Ah LiIon, 3x4Ah, 53kg, Charge ~2,5h, Cycles ~1500, €7'050/~10'200 USD Depending on style of driving, range is approx. 60-110km 16Ah LiIon, 4x4Ah, 70kg, Charge ~3,0h, Cycles ~1500, €9'400/~13'600 USD Depending on style of driving, range is approx. 80-160km 20Ah LiIon, 5x4Ah, 88kg, Charge ~3,5h, Cycles ~1500, €11'750/~17'000 USD Depending on style of driving, range is approx. 100-200km Exact prices can be obtained from the manufacturer. ecoadmin Stefan Twike 890
 |
|
Written on: 23 October 2007 [18:18]
|
|
|
childress
Administrator
registered since: 14.08.2007
Posts: 140
|
Hmm... Li-ion. Wonder what the breakdown is on cost-per-mile. The cost-per-mile of the Twike NiMH batteries in non-real-world math was pretty high. The per-mile cost with the NiCads was lower, but did not take into account the self-discharging. There's some new technology for old lead-acid chemistry batteries that looks extremely promising: 3D batteries use a non-corrosive carbon graphite foam grid instead of a fairly non-conductive lead metal grid in lead acid batteries. This change means less lead is used to make the batteries and the batteries "deliver four times greater power density at less than one quarter of the weight, double the life expectancy, recharge seven times faster and will cost one-tenth that of nickel metal hydride or lithium-ion battery options," according to Dan Green, our friend who does Firefly PR. Given that replacing the batteries currently costs about 25-33% of the cost of the vehicle, and must be done every 5-10 years (or earlier, unless you screw up and mangle your batteries). http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/firefly_energy.html and http://www.fireflyenergy.com While longer and faster is a desireable goal (Li-ion), cheaper and more durable is perhaps a more desireable goal (Firefly Lead-Acid). Commute suck? Twike it; You'll like it!
http://www.uiuc.edu/goto/twike |
|
Written on: 23 October 2007 [21:52]
|
|
|
ecoadmin
Administrator
Topic creator
registered since: 20.07.2007
Posts: 585
|
Looking at the prices there won't be much change. For 50km range you will still have to pay as much as you had before with the NiCd or NiMh cells. But it is likely that the new Li-cells will perform better and also the weight is lower than previous types. One battery pack is 8.75 kg and delivers 4Ah. NiCd cells delivered 3.6Ah at a weight of 28kgs. Its possible to put in up to 5 battery packs into the TWIKE which means there are 20Ah available. I agree with you childress, that cheaper is a very desirable goal. Whether you have to change the batteries after 3, 5 or 10 years is in my opinion not so important, but the overall costs of the vehicle. Here the TWIKE has still a lot of room for improvement. However the new Li-Ion batteries will help to improve the image of EV's regarding range, handling characteristics and durability. So far many vehicles required special tech. knowledge to keep them going with a good performance. The Li-Ion's will make this all a bit easier (I hope). The batteries of fireflyenergy are indeed very promising. And it looks like that different battery types will have their advantages and disadvantages, just like the diesel performs in certain fields better than the petrol engine and vice versa. The good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel...  Twike 890
|
Portal information:
At the moment there are 21 users online, thereof 0 registered users and 21 guests.
Today 0 registered users and 648 guests were already online.
Now online
ecocarforum.com has 738 registered user, 619 topics and 1217 answers. On the average 1.04 posts are written per day.
Today 0 registered users and 648 guests were already online.
Now online
ecocarforum.com has 738 registered user, 619 topics and 1217 answers. On the average 1.04 posts are written per day.