Solectria Force

[jray3]

This factory conversion of a Geo Metro was the first EV that I got to drive, just a loop around the block, but that's when I got the EV Grin and fell in love with regen.

Anyway, a friend's lead-acid Force was totalled in a minor rear ender (rear doors won't close). The inverter has already been sold off, but looks like I'll get the rest.
In reviewing the old testing report, it's interesting how similar this car was to the iMiEV in 1995. 3 kW charger, 15.7 kWh nominal capacity from the NiMH version, 34 kW inverter (but a 49 kW version was available).

http://avt.inel.gov/pdf/fsev/eva/solcar95.pdf

My goal is to either add 34 kW of regen and boost to the 170 kW Karmann Eclectric via dual-motor drive, or repower a classic Grumman Kurbwatt that's also part of the deal, upgrading it to AC drive.

 

[PV1]

Sad to hear about the collision, but glad you might be getting it.

Speaking of similarities, have you ever parked your i-MiEV next to a first-gen RAV4-EV? Talk about similar size, and power/regen is quite similar too.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xyu47bqw6hwa2be/IMG_20150920_100509.jpg?dl=0

I saw a Force at a museum in eastern PA. They converted it to Hydrogen .

 

[jray3]

Wow, my memory wouldn't have 'membered that the old RAV was that similar in size. Its funny and a bit sad that 'merican perspectives were so twisted by the supersized vehicles of the 'aughties', just like 1950's thru 1980's American sedans before the Ford Taurus came out. The i-MiEV dwarfs a Metro or a classic Beetle, and is obviously bigger than the first five generations of Honda Civic, yet the obese NA-market i-MiEV is usually derided today as 'tiny'.

 

[PV1]

I think the lack of a front end is what makes it seem so small. The i-MiEV is taller than a lot of older cars that were considered "big" cars during their time.

I think the i-MiEV is the biggest compact car out there :lol: .

So, the Force (is strong with this one :lol: ) is actually a GEO/Chevy Metro, converted to electric by Solectria, and sold under that name. The Metro is a smaller sedan than the Cavalier.

From the Solar on the Car Roof thread (http://myimiev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=533):

 

[DonDakin]

Now that is a spoiler taken to "a whole nuther level " you know what i'm sayin.....

Don......