Groundbreaking range-extending diesel system to cut EV costs and range anxiety

Tuesday, August 6, 2013 - 12:00
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 EVCharging

INNOVATION: 15kw diesel option by Hyperdrive

A new range-extending system, developed by North East-based company Hyperdrive, could be integrated into existing electric vehicles and offer greater freedom for users.

Part-funded by the government, the 15kw diesel innovation is being developed for use in cars, light commercial vehicles, marine applications and even as a portable power pack for breakdown services.

It comes on the back of the company’s successful 15kw petrol range-extender.

The compact and cost-effective option, which will allow for a reduction in EV battery pack size, results in decreasing vehicle weight and cost.

To ensure maximum reliability and efficiency,the unit only uses proven components and has been designed to run only at optimised points and is switched off when not required.

CAN-enabled, it optimises the use of shared engine, generator and ECU components to avoid compromise in the reduction of lower carbon emissions.

Stephen Irish, Managing Director of Hyperdrive, said:  “Compared with existing technologies, our Range Extender is a low cost, compact and high power-density unit.

“We believe this product is the perfect way to overcome the hurdle of range anxiety and it is further evidence that the North East is producing innovative solutions to achieve a low carbon future.”

The North East has a strong EV infrastructure already in place, including the UK’s only dedicated EV test track to support trialling and testing of technologies.

“The region is also second only to London in terms of the number of public charge points and is the centre of EV-based skills development and education,” added Mr Irish.

“We aim to have the unit developed, assembled and tested in the North East and sold worldwide, generating additional jobs and revenue for the region.

“This is an unusual product aimed at the smaller, light weight end of the power spectrum which we see as being of enormous interest to niche applications.”

Receiving funding through the Collaborative Projects Fund, the project is just one of a number of successful ground-breaking initiatives.

The fund was set up in North East England last year to provide grant funding to collaborative industry-research organisation project and is supported through the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF).

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