Hi to all,
Here is an excerpt from a post John Wayland put on the Insight-Hybrid list. It's pretty cool. Rich Brown Dualin'7 ************************************************************************ OK...the other Wayland idea....I've been toying with the ultimate conversion EV based on a space alein green Insight. 240V worth of the new, Optima sized 30 lb. Nickel Zinc batteries that have become affordable and available to we EVers recently, a Seimen's 106 hp AC drive system, Rudman PFC50 monster charger, and of course, the Wayland Signature sound system. The 2300 lb. EV would have a real world range of 130 miles per charge, could be fast charged in a pinch over an hour, or in 1/2 hour, be able to get an additional 60 miles of range, and the battery pack would have a 65-80k mile life expectancy. With a safe 10-12k rpm range from the light and powerful AC motor, the electric Insight could run from 0-100 mph in 2nd gear, and allowed to stretch out on an open highway, with the it's extremely aero wind cheating shape and lowered stance, in 3rd gear it would probably hit 130 mph or so! The 0-60 time would be in the high 6 to low 7 second range with tire smoking torque (a limited slip dif. might be needed to keep the tires from being shredded too soon). Because of the special Nickel Zinc batteries, this would be an EV that has full power even in sub freezing temperatures, unlike lead acid powered EVs. I've already taken the measurements, and all of the batteries would fit in the IMA compartment under the hatch floor....no storage space lost. The under-hood area would be beautiful with the electric motor clearly visible and the inverter box neatly displayed. ********************************************************************************
