Electric Jeep performs in the Kalahari

November 2013 News

At the 2013 Kalahari Desert SpeedWeek held recently in Hakskeenpan, the Copper Development Association Africa (CDAA) sponsored a prototype electric car, Freedom1, to promote electric motor technology and premium efficiency electric motors. Its engine contains a significant amount of copper, which is known for its highly efficient conductivity.

Freedom1 is a converted Jeep Grand Cherokee with upgraded suspension. It has a 60 kW motor, more than 200 Nm of torque available at any driving speed, a 150 km range between charges, and is capable of 120 kmph on the highway. The vehicle’s motor is a robust air cooled, four-pole, three-phase induction motor, designed for heavy duty applications. It is driven by a sophisticated computer controlled variable speed inverter drive, which is capable of providing strong acceleration torque and high-speed control.

The system includes regenerative braking for maximum efficiency and range.

The 600 VDC battery pack design is made up of a number of large format high performance lithium ion cells. The vehicle is fitted with an on-board charger that connects at home or office to a simple custom installed high power charging supply capable of charging a fully discharged battery pack within three to four hours. For everywhere else the vehicle can also be charged in five to six hours using an ordinary 16 A 230 V household socket.

Carel Ballack, project consultant at CDAA said, “Freedom1 drew a lot of interest at the event. The vehicle performed exceptionally well, under extreme environmental conditions, winning the endurance event.  The Jeep was also the fastest electric vehicle at the event, which was no mean feat given that it weighs 2,5 tons.”

For more information contact Evert Swanepoel, Copper Development Association Africa, +27 (0)11 824 3916, [email protected], www.copperalliance.org.za

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