'in such challenging conditions, the last thing you want to worry about is a 13 mile range'
http://www.gizmag.com/prototype-electric-vehicle-venturi-antarctic/36958/ Prototype electric vehicle passes first test on road to Antarctica By Lakshmi Sandhana April 13, 2015 [images http://images.gizmag.com/hero/venturiantartica.jpg The Venturi Antarctica is a joystick controlled, completely electric vehicle designed to tackle the harsh climes of Antarctica (Photo: Palais de Monaco) http://www.gizmag.com/prototype-electric-vehicle-venturi-antarctic/36958/pictures Gallery ] The Venturi Antarctica, a prototype electric vehicle designed to tackle the harsh climes of Antarctica recently completed its first test drive in the Southern Alps of Europe. Manufactured by Venturi Automobiles, the joystick-controlled prototype seats five and can reach a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) on snow tracks and 45 km/h (27 mph) on wheels. When fully developed, the electric vehicle will allow scientists to drive to research sites without any risk of contaminating the samples to be collected. Contamination is a huge concern, as even one additional molecule can threaten the integrity of a sample. Scientists typically cover the last 8 or 10 km (5 or 6 mi) to a research site by foot or on skis. This is where the the Venturi Antartica will help, say its engineers, by conveying them to the sample site risk-free. "They need a vehicle that doesn't contaminate the soil and air – the area of study must be clean of human activities," Franck Baldet, a testing engineer with Venturi Automobiles tells Gizmag. "It's crucial to have the most virgin environment to be deeply studied." Measuring 3 m long, 2.3 m wide and 1.8 m tall (9.8 x 7.5 x 5.9 ft), the prototype uses a 23 kWh battery, two electric motors and an eight-wheel drive. Expert drivers tested its maneuverability in the Southern Alps on slopes with inclines up to 40 percent in very low temperatures and a range of snow conditions from tough to very icy. Dynamic maneuvers such as on the spot 360--degree rotation, climbing, time response to command input and hitting the panic brakes, were tested. The goal was to check how intuitively the vehicle responded to joystick controls, in order to allow future untrained drivers and scientific personnel to easily operate the Venturi Antartica without specific training. "We can affirm that it is the easiest vehicle to drive with a joystick," says Baldet. "We performed autonomy driving sessions and successfully reached 20 km (12 mi) at a constant 20 km/h (12 mph) speed, as specified by the scientists needs and the French Polar Institute (IPEV)." The engineers also evaluated the vehicle's ability to charge at various low temperatures. While the Venturi Antarctica can currently be driven in sub-zero temperatures and on different types of snow, the challenge is to get it to work at -40° C (-40° F) before it can be sent to Antarctica. Ongoing work includes finding light materials that are tolerant to extreme weather and improving the battery's efficiency while still limiting its weight. "The Venturi Antarctica has a good behavior in the cold," Baldet tells us. "Sending it to the white continent will depend on the results we have with batteries' testing sessions in extreme cold conditions." With a different type of chassis, the prototype could also be adapted for different applications, such as using it for transporting people and equipment in ski resorts. [© gizmag.com] ... http://en.venturi.fr/news/the-electric-vehicle-venturi-antarctica-has-just-completed-its-first-test-campaign venturi-antarctica http://ecomento.com/2015/04/17/venturi-builds-electric-vehicle-for-antarctica/ Venturi builds an EV for Antarctica (w/images) April 17, 2015 Steve Hanley [images http://cdn.ecomento.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Venturi_Antarctica_electric_vehicle_5-740x425.jpg http://cdn.ecomento.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Venturi_Antarctica_electric_vehicle_2-740x425.jpg http://cdn.ecomento.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Venturi_Antarctica_electric_vehicle_1-740x425.jpg ] Venturi is an engineering firm based in Monaco that specializes in building electric vehicles. It is one of the 10 teams currently competing in the Formula E racing series for electric cars. Prince Albert II of Monaco suggested the company consider building an EV for Antarctica after he visited the continent in 2009. Scientists studying that frozen environment must be careful not contaminate the samples they collect with pollutants they bring with them from the regular world, which makes gasoline powered vehicles a poor choice for Antarctic research. An EV would be ideal except for one thing – batteries do not perform well in cold conditions. In Antarctica, outside temperatures can fall as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes designing an EV that can function in such harsh conditions a technological challenge. Designed to meet the specifications of the French Polar Institute, the Venturi EV, which it has named Antarctica, was tested for its ease of handling, traction from its proprietary tracks and quality of its motor functions this past winter in the rugged Alps of southern France. “We can say that the vehicle is off to a great start,” said Franck Baldet, testing engineer at Venturi Automobiles. “It met our expectations for the working sessions this winter and even surpassed them, which is always an excellent surprise when you’re working with an initial prototype.” Gérard Jugie, former director of the French Polar Institute, worked on the vehicle’s specifications and found this first prototype very attractive: “Its handling, high-speed performance, and performance on inclines are impressive. It was really thrilling to participate in these first maneuvers in the real conditions of the vehicle’s use and to get a feel for the completion of a project that in the beginning seemed like only a fantasy.” Someone else who was impressed was Jean-Paul Rouquier, ski resort and grooming manager. “If the Antarctica can be developed with different types of chassis, the vehicle will be very interesting for ski resorts in terms of transporting people and equipment, but also to use for high-altitude drop-offs. It’s the only vehicle of this type that’s 100% electric. For a prototype, it seems very complete.” Roquier was sad to see the testing protocols end. “I would be glad to keep it as is. It’s very easy to steer. You get control of it in a minute. It’s also responsive and fast.” Further testing to ensure that the machine can deal reliably with temperatures or 40 below will take place before the Antarctica is sent off to assist with polar research. [© ecomento.com] http://www.autoevolution.com/news/venturi-antarctica-is-the-all-electric-ratrack-you-need-to-conquer-polar-regions-photo-gallery-94547.html Venturi Antarctica is the All-Electric Ratrack You Need to Conquer Polar Regions - Photo Gallery by Tudor Rus 17th April 2015 ... 'in such challenging conditions, the last thing you want to worry about is a 13 mile range' ... 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