Hybrid Car Review

FEV will show off their plug-in hybrid built on the Dodge Caliber platform at the 2009 SAE World Congress. The Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV) has a top speed of 84 mpg and can go 0 to 60 mph in 8.3 seconds. But it also gets 40 miles of all electric power before it uses any gas.

The hybrid engine is comprised of a 1.0L, 3-cylinder, 4 valve engine that is mated to a UQM PP75 generator that provides 41kW of continuous power in extended-range mode, with a peak power of 75kW. The energy storage system consists of a 20 kW-h liquid-cooled Lithium Ion battery pack that operates at 346V, with a Delphi DC/DC converter. A UQM PP125EX traction motor powers the wheels.

This is a demonstration vehicle for FEV to use in showing off their hybrid engineering. FEV's Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Development Center in Michigan built the demonstration plug-in hybrid in an effort to showcase their capabilities.

"FEV believes that to provide the most value to our customers, we must continue to develop innovative technologies and capabilities within our own walls, conceiving and developing projects that our customers will need now and in the future," said Wolschendorf. "This ReEV concept vehicle has been developed as an internal R&D project, and gives us an opportunity to show our capabilities. We are also using this vehicle to evaluate different options for the engine/generator unit, and the associated calibration strategies."

The ReEV propulsion system was developed entirely by FEV, including:

• Performance modeling and simulations
• Component selection and procurement
• Design, analysis and packaging
• High Voltage system architecture, development and integration
• Hybrid controls and powertrain development and testing
• Complete vehicle integration
• Vehicle exhaust and evaporative emission calibration
• Overall vehicle calibration, testing and validation
• NVH optimization