California State University, Chico

Advanced Vehicle Research & Development

Background:

In 1993, California State University, Chico was awarded a 1991 Saturn SL2 in a DOE sponsored design competition. The vehicle was converted to hybrid electric power according to the students' design and competed in Detroit, Michigan at the annual Hybrid Electric Vehicle Challenge in '94 and '95. The vehicle was then taken to Sweden to compete in the Scandinavian Electric Car Rally in August of '95. Unfortunately the vehicle was involved in a non injury traffic accident on the fourth day of the five day long Scandinavian Electric Car Rally. Its vital components were unharmed but the vehicle chassis was a complete loss. A replacement chassis has since been purchased and the new vehicle has been completed keeping all of the main components that were in the previous conversion. The new conversion is being developed with Lead Acid batteries. Prior to the lead acid batteries the conversion was operational with NiMH batteries in NESEA Tour De Sol in 1997. AVR&D is evaluating the current conversion

Future Plans:

The AVR&D team is currently evaluating the performance of the current 1991 Saturn SL2 conversion. Our current design is a pure Electric Vehicle (EV). However, for long range travel the EV is driven as a series Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). This is achieved by attaching a trailer that houses an Auxilairy Power Unit (APU). This APU is designed to give a 300 mile range. The team is anticipating the purchase of a Data Acquisition Unit to better evaluate the performance of our design and power system under driving and charging conditions. The team anticipates to premier the new conversion at the 1999 Phoenix 500 in March. The team is also planning to attend the American Tour De Sol in May, 1999, the next Scandinavian Electric Car Rally and Pikes Peak Challenge in addition to a number of electric vehicle showings. Keep visiting our site for updated race results and additional future plans.

For more information write, fax, or call:

Advanced Vehicle Research & Development
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0789
(916) 898-4919 ~  Fax (916) 898-4070
or send Email to Dr. Mike Ward 
(mward@ecst.csuchico.edu) or Micah Solter 
(kimosabe@ecst.csuchico.edu)

The AVR&D is currently preparing a new Saturn SL2 for the Tour de Sol which will be at the end of May. The team is very enthusiastic and confident to win this race. A picture of the current vehicle, Nemesis, and general information about electric cars can be found on the next page.

For an old picture of the current vehicle,members, and general information about electric cars go to the AVR&D links page.

This page is maintained by Steve Sanchez (ses@ecst.csuchico.edu). Last time updated 2/17/99