This research report presents Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (ConnDOT’s) evaluation of preproduction prototype nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) as an alternative-fuel (alt-fuel) option for local trips averaging less than 70 miles. If feasible as an alt-fuel vehicle, the BEV could be used to help lower overall energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and reduce dependence on foreign oil. This report was intended to highlight the findings of the study as well as illustrate some of the problems associated with current battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology. ConnDOT partnered with The Rideshare Company of Greater Hartford (Rideshare) to retrofit three subcompact BEVs with nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries to conduct the two-phase study. The vehicles used were 1995 General Motors Geo Metro(s) retrofitted by the Solectria Corporation. For Phase 2, thin-film photovoltaic laminates were integrated in the NiCd BEVs in order to provide power to offset the small power losses experienced while parked and unplugged. The study accumulated data from more than 550 individual trips, spanning a distance of nearly 35,000 miles over an eight year period. While researchers were able to attain the 70 mile range in Phase 1, they were unable to replicate the results in Phase 2, as the nominal range of the retrofitted vehicles was approximately 57 miles.
Samenvatting