SSC Ultimate Aero EV- 6 years without a charge.....???

dsacks6 · 07-17-2008, 06:05 PM

SSC Announces Green Ultimate Aero EV Supercar

6 years without a charge.......
SSC Announces Green Ultimate Aero EV Supercar

Fastest electric car in the world

Quote:

July 15, 2008 11:00 PM by Brian Potter
Filed Under: Green Specialty Marques

Earlier today we reported the newest webisode of Jay Leno's Garage guest starring the SSC Ultimate Aero. It was there that SSC owner, Jerod Shelby (no relation), revealed SSC was planning to diversify the brand with additional models such as a 220 mph luxury sedan and green supercar. Prompting further investigation, we discovered an SSC media report was released two days ago announcing, “the first 100% Green Supercar to achieve speeds never before seen.”

SSC plans to roll out the first Ultimate Aero based prototype, named the Ultimate Aero EV (Electric Vehicle), in February 2009 with deliveries starting towards the end of the year. With the fastest production car world record under their belt, SSC plans to do the same and break the world record for the fastest electric car.

Scoffing at other manufacturers who have jumped on the “green hysteria” bandwagon, SSC states they will “deliver a pollution-free, engineering marvel with an exotic Supercar exterior.” In addition they make an unbelievable claim that the Ultimate Aero EV, “will not require a charge for six years and will power two 500 horsepower electric motors producing 1000 horsepower and provide supercar performance.”

If this proves to be true, SSC “will soon break the engineering challenge of our time.” If not, they risk their reputation and business. Additionally, the world record certificate on the wall will be meaningless.

Found on WorldCarFans

TEG · 07-17-2008, 08:23 PM

Maybe someone misconstrued after someone might have said "the battery pack will last 6 years".

doug · 07-18-2008, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TEG

Maybe someone misconstrued after someone might have said "the battery pack will last 6 years".

Yes, most likely the PR guy that wrote the press release misunderstood an engineer.

I find the name SSC interesting. For me, SSC stands for Superconducting Super Collider. A project that the cancellation of which meant the end of US dominance in particle physics.

TEG · 07-18-2008, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

I find the name SSC interesting. For me, SSC stands for Superconducting Super Collider.

It made me think of ThrustSSC.

The vehicle with the fastest land speed record (763 mph).

doug · 07-18-2008, 08:59 AM

Shelby sets out to build Ultimate Aero EV, the world's fastest electric car - Engadget

dpeilow · 07-18-2008, 10:23 AM

World’s fastest production car goes electric | Hybrid/Electric | Carcentral.com.au

Quote:

Huge power and years between recharges

While final specifications are yet to be fully disclosed, the company claims the drive train under development employs a revolutionary new technology that will allow the car to travel for extended periods - years, in some cases - without needing to be recharged.

I can see this one running and running.

doug · 07-18-2008, 12:35 PM

The claims are pretty ridiculous, but I like where this is going. I'd like to see lots of companies try to get into the high performance EV game. Just as long as they don't confuse the public with outlandish promises.

Finkenbusch · 07-18-2008, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

The claims are pretty ridiculous, ...

Isn't it ironic that these Shelby guys are in West Richland WA,
Nearby the Hanford Nuclear Site, and Land of the Glowing Jackrabbit?

SSC could (theoretically not unfeasible) continuously 24/7 charge the batteries from a tiny nuclear atomic reactor.

Going with a tiny reactors as loader for a battery in a car would neither be technical miracle neither (if you look close) nor a big hazardous unknown.
All the satellites have such mini-nuclear- power-supplies (radioisotope thermoelectric generators) since the sputnik thought.

The technology is well understood since decenniums-
besides the fact that a satellite do not crash on a crammed highway releasing possibly hazardous rays- at least not often.

Funnily - a radioisotope thermoelectric generator is compared to a half empty gas tank a much safer option.

The alpha radiation from both isotopes emitted in case of a leakage will not penetrate the skin, but can irradiate internal organs if plutonium is inhaled or ingested. Thats prevented by inserting the material into ceramics.

More from wikipedia - quote

To minimize the risk of the radioactive material being released, the fuel is stored in individual modular units with their own heat shielding. They are surrounded by a layer of iridium metal and encased in high-strength graphite blocks. These two materials are corrosion and heat-resistant. Surrounding the graphite blocks is an aeroshell, designed to protect the entire assembly against the heat of reentering the earth's atmosphere. The plutonium fuel is also stored in a ceramic form that is heat-resistant, minimising the risk of vaporization and aerosolization. The ceramic is also highly insoluble.

---unquote

It may be pretty hard to get the ok & sign from the regulator but its not unfeasible to bring a nuclear driven steam-turbine-battery-loader into a car.
When the Gallon hits 10$ and above a lot of things will be possible never thought of.

AND that would make SSC's claim of years without recharging the battery from the grid / connector not ridiculous but modest.

Because 23 years after production, such an RTG would still produce 83.4% of its starting capacity....

GSP · 07-19-2008, 07:29 AM

Doug - SSC remindes me of the Superconducting Super Collider also. May it RIP. At least we can look forward to some interesting results from the LHC.

Finkenbusch - Thanks for the RTG info. I suspect they work better in outer space where the extreme cold provides a greater temperature gradient for the thermocouple. It is fun to dream of 23 years without refueling however!

GSP

doug · 07-19-2008, 08:56 AM

Introducing the World's Fastest EV | Autopia from Wired.com

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Details are scarce, but SSC says an Ultimate Aero EV prototype will be ready by February and it plans to roll out four production models by December. The company describes the Tesla destroyer as a "pollution-free, engineering marvel with an exotic supercar exterior."
"I think we can do it faster, leaner and cleaner than any other manufacturer," says company founder Jerod Shelby.

We know that at least one 500-HP electric motor is planned. SSC is exploring a twin-motor configuration that would yield twice the power while still emitting zilch. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants also are on the table. Particularly interesting is the power source for the drive train, which is said to allow for extended time between charging. That seems logical and realistic enough, but SSC went on to mention the possibility of several years between charging. Needless to say, several industry pundits think SSC has gone mad.