System Design of the Electric Test Vehicle – One (ETV-1)

The Electric Test Vehicle - One (ETV-1) is a four-passenger electric car developed under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy. Developed as a total system, the ETV-1 incorporates improvements in vehicle design, electronics and battery technology to achieve specified performance, safety and cost objectives. The present test vehicle would be suitable, with further development, to be mass-produced by the mid-1980’s.

Performance of the ETV-1 is enhanced by lightweight construction, low aerodynamic drag, and low rolling resistance. Efficiency of the electrical drive subsystem is optimized through the use of a separately excited drive motor with transistorized armature and field controls. An improved lead-acid battery is used to provide high energy and power density. The test vehicles have demonstrated outstanding performance, including an urban driving range of 119 km, a top speed of 112 km/hr, and a 0 to 48 km/hr acceleration time of less than nine seconds.