The experimental XA-100 is a 5-passenger 4-door Chevrolet Corsica that has been retrofitted with an electric-motor propulsion system, batteries, and an on-board engine/alternator system. The XA-100 is designed 1) to travel on around-town and short freeway commute trips on battery power alone with zero exhaust emissions (zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV)) and 2) to travel as an ultra-low-emissions vehicle (ULEV) on long distance trips using an on-board engine/alternator (i.e., an auxiliary power unit (APU)) for electric power. In all other respects (e.g., performance, handling, user interface), the XA-100 is designed to retain the characteristics of the conventional Corsica to the greatest degree possible.
The XA-100 was developed as a result of research sponsored in part by the California Energy Commission (CEC), with labor donated by members of the Electric Auto Association (EAA) and faculty, staff and students of Stanford University. Based upon preliminary results, the XA-100 has equalled or exceeded all of its quantitative objectives. Top speed is greater than 105 km/h (65 mi/h) and acceleration times are 0-48 km/h (0-30 mi/h) in 8 seconds and 0-80 km/h (0-50 mi/h) in 20 seconds. Preliminary results from the FTP-75 (FUDS) and EPA highway cycle tests show that the XA-100 successfully followed the most demanding acceleration ramps and highest speeds (97 km/h (60 mi/h)) of these standardized tests on battery power alone. Very preliminary exhaust emissions tests suggest that the ULEV levels can be achieved with additional development.