AN ELECTRIC MODEL T FROM MERCEDES

This short article describes an experimental battery-powered luxury car, weighing about 2 tonnes, being used by Daimler-Benz for research into electric propulsion for personal transport. The car has a 30kw(41hp) electric motor and a 10kw two-cylinder four-stroke auxiliary i.c. engine for emergency drive. Electric power is provided by a 600kg, 120V, 200ah nickel-iron battery which can be recharged from any 220V, 10a mains outlet via the on-board charger. The drive is through a 4-25kw electric shunt motor, which has a wound field used for motor speed control. The automatic gearbox with the shunt motor allows a wide range of regenerative braking. A range of 100km and top speed of 80km/hr are claimed for the car. (Author/TRRL)