The Project Description

Fully-electric Large Passenger demonstration vehicles

Members of the consortium delivering the project include the electric vehicle charge network operator Better Place, major automotive component suppliers Bosch, Continental, Air International and Futuris, with support for the project from CSIRO.

The project will build 7 fully-electric vehicles by June 2012 based on the locally manufactured Holden Commodore as proof-of-concept, to demonstrate the technical viability and attractiveness to customers of a large EV. If successful the project will allow technologies to be considered for possible future mass production.

The Australian Government’s Green Car Innovation Fund will contribute $3.55m to the project.

Project Goals include:

(1) Deliver zero emissions motoring when powered by renewable electricity and greater than 30% reduction in CO2 emissions when powered on grid average electricity.

(2) Deliver the same high standards of safety and feature available in this class of vehicle while delivering comparable performance.

(3) Be designed for a manufacturing cost equivalent to top selling petrol vehicles in this class, without battery. (Batteries will be included as part of monthly electric vehicle charge network subscriptions, replacing petrol costs.)

(4) Be capable of accessing both EV charge spots and ‘battery switch’ stations for unlimited range extension. Additionally, the project will help to develop electric vehicle engineering skills and components within the Australian supplier industry for potential export to car makers globally, with opportunities including battery pack design and thermal management systems.

Additionally, the project will help to develop electric vehicle engineering skills and components within the Australian supplier industry for potential export to car makers globally, with opportunities including battery pack design and thermal management systems.