Design of an Electronic Automobile Employing Nickel-Cadmium Batteries

A standard station wagon has been converted to an electronic car employing nickel-cadmium batteries for power, and an SCR chopper for speed control and regenerative braking. With this vehicle we can simulate the acceleration and deceleration performance characteristics of a hybrid battery system which will ulitmately use high energy density batteries for range, and nickel-cadmium batteries for acceleration and braking.

Acceptable acceleration to top speed and acceptable rates of braking down to very low speeds, are achieved. Circuits and some performance characteristics are described.