Two second-generation Zinc-Air powered minivans are in development for Southern California Edison by Dreisbach ElectroMotive, Inc. (DEMI). These vehicles utilize two 52.2-kW-peak (70-hp-peak) drive motors in parallel, driving a conventional 3-speed Torqueflite™ transmission and the Chrysler minivan's conventional power steering and air conditioning.
The vehicles are equipped with electric heat and electric / vacuum power brakes. A 60-kWh Zinc-Air battery in conjunction with a 10-kWh NiCd load-leveling battery provides a peak power of 104.4-kW (140-hp, 120-kW electrical peak) and over 322 km (200 miles) range at 64 km/h (40 mph) while maintaining a 454 kg (1000 lb) payload capability.
The vehicles are equipped with on-board high-medium-low rate chargers which can accommodate a range of available recharge power feeds.
An electronic power coupler between the Zinc-Air and NiCd batteries optimizes load management of the electronic flywheel function to provide consistent acceleration performance down to 10% state of charge.
Mechanical and electrical design and construction details of the vehicles as well as actual road test data are detailed in this report.