User:Dougfal/Blade Electric Vehicles

Blade Electron Mark V at Canberra ANU large solar array 2010

Blade Electric Vehicles was founded in 1996 by Australian entrepreneur Ross Blade. After experimenting with several different combinations of base vehicle, electric motor, batteries and control technology, Ross settled on the Hyundai Getz as a donor vehicle to produce Australia's first commercial plug-in electric vehicle. The Electron is currently (2011) Australia's only electric vehicle available for sale (the Mitsubishi iMiEV being available for lease to businesses only).

In 2008, the first Blade "Electron" all-electric vehicles entered the Australian market. They featured USA-made Azure Dynamics motors and motor controllers, Chinese-made Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and BEV-designed motor interfaces and control systems.

BEV is headquartered in Castlemaine, central Victoria, Australia. It utilises componentry from a number of Australian and international suppliers, as well as those of its own design, at least two of which are the subject of international patent applications.

As of early 2011, over 40 Blade Electrons are on the road in Australia and New Zealand, with one having driven 20,000 km in two years.

In May 2011, BEV announced the Electron "Deep Green" - claimed to be Australia's most environmentally friendly car. Featuring 80% Australian content including an Australian-made drive train, and latest generation compact, lightweight batteries. It will have a range of up to 150km (based on the Japanese 10.15 driving cycle) and a top speed of 120kmh.

Blade History

Charge from domestic or public J1772 capable station, or any household 10A power point

Blade Electric Vehicles began development of battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology in 2006 at a time when few people thought it either relevant or practical. In 2007 Blade pioneered the use of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries and AC induction drive systems in Australia.

In 2008 Blade manufactured and sold Australia’s first commercially available BEV and was the first to export an Australian made BEV overseas . In 2009 Blade was the first Australian BEV developer to take safety seriously by crash testing its vehicle .

In February 2010 Blade was the first Australian manufacturer to achieve a low volume production licence for up to 100 all-electric vehicles per year. With the Mark V Electron with optional side airbags, Blade produced the safest electric car in Australia in July 2010.

In October 2010, Blade was granted a Federal licence for unlimited production of the Electron Mark V. Blade has achieved a number of local and world firsts in EV design and manufacture.

Electron "Deep Green"

Electron uses industry standard J1772 charging connectors

Announced in early 2011 and available in Q3 2011, Electron Deep Green will have a range on a single charge of up to 150km (based on the Japanese 10.15 drive cycle), 85km of sustained high speed highway driving. Available in 3 or 5 door configuration, it will feature a 16kWh, 360V NCM battery pack and a 60kW motor producing 180Nm of torque, giving sporty performance (0-60kmh in 5 sec), with 3-speed semi-automatic stick shift. For the first time, speeds of 0-80kmh will be achieved in a single gear - allowing gear change free driving in all urban situations. A low gear is offered for the occasional steep hill or driveway.

It will be Australia’s first EV powered by an Australian designed and built [[motor controller|motor controllers] and powerful 70kW German built motor. Other features include dual front airbags, 6 hour recharge from any 10A Australian power point, 2 hour recharge at a domestic or public charge station using J1772 connectors (available as option), and optional leather seats, mag wheels, GT stripes and body kit. Expansion battery pack increases capacity to 20kW (giving approx. 110km highway driving and 200km Japanese 10.15 drive cycle). A 2-seater variant with a range of 170/220km (highway/urban) will also be available. .

Specifications

Electron DG:

Performance: 0-60kph in 5 seconds and a top speed of 120kph
Drive: Three speed semi-automatic, with driver selectable low gear
Range: 100km urban driving – varies with speed, terrain, driving style, heater and/or a/c. Increases by 12km per hour of charging during the day
Optional extended range version: 2 seater with extra battery capacity - 160km urban, 140km highway Controller: Australian air cooled with regenerative braking
Motor: German made air cooled 70kw AC induction giving 200Nm in standard configuration
Batteries: 360V Blade 'SuperCell' compact, lightweight, new generation NCM lithium ion batteries
Capacity: 16kWh, 'fuel gauge' set to register empty at 80% depth of discharge. With optional extra batteries - 20kWh
Battery Life: 10 years
Charge time: 6 hours from any standard 10A Australian power point, 2 hours using J1772 hardware at home or public charging station
Optional CHAdeMO fast recharge in 20min
Air conditioning, electric power steering: standard
Occupants: 4
Options: Expansion pack to increase capacity to 20kW, GT stripes, body kit, leather seats, EcoTality Wall Mount J1772 charger
Warranty: 3 years unlimited kilometres plus buyback guarantee

Electron Mark VI

thumb|Electron Mark VIReleased in 2011, Electron Mark VI featured improvements in on-board systems and controls, faster charging and an increase in power to 60kW.

Specifications

Performance: 0-60kph in 5 seconds and a top speed of 120kph
Drive: Three speed semi-automatic, with driver selectable low gear
Range: 100km urban driving – varies with speed, terrain, driving style, heater and/or a/c.
Controller: Australian air cooled with regenerative braking
Motor: German made air cooled 70kw AC induction giving 200Nm in standard configuration
Batteries: 360V Blade 'SuperCell' compact, lightweight, new generation NCM lithium ion batteries
Capacity: 16kWh with fuel gauge set to register ‘empty’ at 80% depth of discharge
Battery Life: 10 years
Charge time: 6 hours from any standard 10A Australian power point, 4 hours using J1772 hardware and home or public charging station
Rapid charging: 1 hour (requires optional rapid charger/3-phase power)
Optional CHAdeMO fast recharge in 20min
Air conditioning, power steering: standard
Occupants: 4
Warranty: 3 years unlimited kilometres plus buyback guarantee

Electron Mark V

Electron Mark V out and about

Released in 2010 with the option of side airbags, Electron Mark V was the safest EV available in Australia, as well as the least expensive.

Specifications

Performance: 0-60kph in 7 seconds and a top speed of 120kph
Drive: Four speed semi-automatic
Range: 100km urban driving – varies with speed, terrain, driving style, heater and/or a/c. Increases by 12km per hour of charging during the day
Controller: Air cooled with regenerative braking
Motor: Air cooled 37kw brushless induction
Batteries: Non-combustible Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), air cooled individual prismatic for ease of service. -45C to 85C operational heat range
Capacity: 16kWh with fuel gauge set to register ‘empty’ at 80% depth of discharge
Battery Life: 10 years
Charge time: 8 hours from any standard 10A Australian power point
Rapid charging: 1 hour (requires optional rapid charger/3-phase power)
Air conditioning, power steering: standard
Occupants: 4
Warranty: 5 years unlimited kilometres

Electron Mark I-IV

Fully usable storage space retained in Electron

The first Blade prototype, dubbed the Mark I, went on the road in 2006. From 2006 to 2009, the Blade Electron went through a number of incremental technological improvements, changes in transmission configurations and accessory provision. These were given the logical descriptions of Marks II-IV. Over 20 Electrons were purchased by State and local governments as part of EV evaluation programs, as well as by private individuals committed to the idea of emissions free driving.