When BMW looked for a company to provide the drive systems necessary to convert the MINI Cooper into an electric car, it chose AC Propulsion.  The Mini Cooper thus became the MINI E electric car.

AC Propulsion was commissioned to produce 500 drive systems and battery packs for BMW.  All 500 have been produced and delivered to BMW’s Munich plant for the production of 500 MINI Es. 

AC Propulsion President Tom Gage told EV World actual production of the t-Zero propulsion system components is done in Shanghai because of the lower cost.  The components are assembled in its San Diemos, California headquarters. Like many small companies, AC Propulsion had to find an way to manufacture its components and found Shanghai the place to build its factory.  The move to Shanghai was to make the t-Zero affordable, as well as affordable as it gets.  These systems are not cheap by any means but the power and range of their systems is fantastic.

AC Propulsion has been modifying the Scion xB with the t-Zero system for several years now and has created a five seater electric car that goes 120 miles before it needs a charge.  The eBox as the modified Scion is called, will go from 0 to 60 in seven seconds.

The t-Zero technology is comprised of a 220 horsepower AC engine, regenerative braking, a integrated power electronics units, and a battery recharger that will provide 60 miles of driving distance on a one hour charge.

AC Propulsion also provides battery management systems that monitor temperature and voltage during driving and charging.  When AC Propulsion provides the battery pack, as it did for the MINI Cooper and the eBox, it uses lithium ion batteries manufactured for laptop computers.

The MINI E has 5,088 lithium ion cells in its battery pack.  The cells are purchased by the thousand by AC Propulsion, packaged into modules and then the modules are connected.  These battery packs are relatively light and affordable compared to the other options on the market.

The final MINI E should be assembled this month in Munich.  When it hits the road it will be able carrying an AC Propulsion engine.  What a switch for a German automobile to have an American engine.

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Entry was posted on Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 at 6:14 pm under Auto, Green Technology, Science and technology.  Print This Post

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