Physics Lab of Lake Havasu: Chevy Blazer EV

By Eric Boyd on July 15, 2008 3:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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EV,

Physics Lab Lake Havasu

Imagine a world in which a Chevy Blazer could win the Automotive X Prize! If the folks at Physics Lab of Lake Havasu have their way, we will be living in that world. They hope to accomplish it via absorbing as much energy as possible from the environment. Can their idea work? With the electricity MPGe advantage, and large enough solar collection area, it might work, maybe... At the least, it's fun to think about, so check out the new Physics Lab of Lake Havasu: Chevy Blazer EV page, or read on for the same info presented via HTML.

Short Description: Energy scavenging EV SUV
Availability & Cost: AXP race, $150k

Background and Details

Lake Havasu is a reservoir on the Colorado river, at the CA/AZ border: a favorite spot for fishing and water sports
The Physics Lab of Lake Havasu (PLLH) plans to retrofit a 1980s Chevy Blazer into an EV, and add a wide variety of energy scavenging equipment:
Solar panels, solar thermal, a steam engine, a stirling engine, energy recovering suspension, wind turbines...
Plus a combined heat & power (CHP) turbine generator
Under the current rules, non-fuel energy is "free" and thus can provide a MPGe boost. PLLH hopes to generate enough energy to reach 100 MPGe, likely very challenging
Battery tray stored under the vehicle (hence 4" lift)
Vehicle will compete in mainstream class, they claim also that production (for consumers) is possible, but no details
References: PLLH ABG Interview XPC Interview Havasu Sun PLLH Handout Chevy Blazer

Vehicle Stats

MPGe	Blazer: 15-20 MPG EV retrofit: triple MPGe Scavenge: add more... 100 MPGe possible?
Weight	>4500 lbs
L x W x H (ft)	14.2 x 5.5 x 5.3 + 4" lift
HP	?
0-60 MPH	12 seconds
Top Speed	100 MPH
Range	? miles all-electric
Battery Info	? kWH lead-acid OR Li-Fe ? lbs
Charge Time	?h (?V * ?A)
Motor	?
Engine	CHP turbine (unknown fuel)
Cd x Frontal Area	0.36 x 29 ft^2