Thirty four high-profile Japanese companies have worked together to produce an innovative new electric car which delivers double the average driving range of current generation electric cars.
Despite the new SIM-LEI car achieving an awesome range of around 200 miles, the Japanese SIM-Drive project has foregone the usual media fanfare in respect for all those who have suffered from the recent Tohoku Pacific Ocean Earthquake disaster, announcing the completion of the project car through a simple press release rather than a full media presentation.
Some of Japan’s biggest names in the auto and energy industries have collaborated on the project to produce the SIM-LEI prototype car with the model’s initials standing for “Leading Efficiency In-Wheel motor”.
The car features a 24.5kWh battery to achieve its impressive, Tesla-like range-not much different from many current generation electric cars which only usually achieve around 100 miles per charge. The LEI’s extra range is largely achieved through its unique in-wheel motor technology and component built-in frame, the press release suggests. A steel monocoque body contributes to reduce body weight while a high density battery provides efficient energy re-generation. Super low rolling friction resistance tyres help reduce friction while an aerodynamic body reduces the drag drastically, all helping to double the car’s range above the competition’s.
The car- a medium size sedan- weighs just 1650kg, not much more than a Mitsubishi i-MiEV (at 1450kg) despite its much grander size. Longer and nearly as wide as the Nissan Leaf, the SIM-LEI measures 4700mm in length and 1600mm across.
Another major plus for the new model is its strong acceleration, reaching 62mph (100km/h) in 4.8 seconds from a standing start.
A final production model is set to be produced in the near future, with mass-production scheduled to commence in 2013.
Companies involved in the project include Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corp, Mitsubishi Motors, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Isuzu Motors, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd, Olympus Corporation and Serio Corporation to name a few.
