Technology and Production
Buddy is a simple, functional, electric city car with a range of 20–60 kilometres (12–37 mi) depending on season, topography and driving style. Maximum speed is 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). Its length is 244 centimetres (96 in), which means that in some jurisdictions it can be legally parked sideways.
The Buddy consists of a strong, hot galvanized steel tube frame, complete with safety cage but with no proper deformation zones. The body is made of thin fiberglass. Other metal parts are treated so that further rust treatment is unnecessary. The electric motor is a 72V Sepex 13kW, a direct current motor with brushes. Well tried technological solutions have been used to ensure maximal reliability. The car has no servo or aids regarding steering and braking. The response and "connection" to brakes and front wheels are vague and difficult to finesse. The vehicle also lacks safety equipment such as ABS, ESP, Airbags etc.
Currently, the Buddy is delivered with lead batteries. Completely discharged batteries can be recharged in 6–8 hours. The batteries can be rapidly charged so that one hour's charging allows the vehicle to be driven about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). Charging requires an ordinary, grounded outlet with a minimum circuit of 10 A. The life expectancy for the batteries is expected to be between two and five years, or about 20 000 km, depending on driving and charging habits. A complete battery set costs from £2 800 excluding value added tax.
ElBil Norge has made a development fleet of Buddy vehicles equipped with various forms of Li-Ion battery technology. When this technology is made available commercially, existing Buddy vehicles will be upgradeable to the new technology.
The Buddy is EU approved by the Vehicle Certification Agency as an electric four-wheel motorcycle aka. Heavy Quadricycle. It can be used as an ordinary vehicle without restrictions as to the roads it can be driven on, and drivers require only an ordinary driving license.
Two models of the Buddy are currently available, the ordinary variety and BuddyCab which features a folding roof. In 2007 the production capacity at Økern in Oslo is 5-6 vehicles a week, with a theoretical production capacity of 500 vehicles annually. To meet international needs ElBil Norge is working to establish new production localities. Despite international interest, the Buddy is currently sold only in Norway while the company prepares for export.
As of late 2008, plans were under way for an additional factory in Portugal. The aim is to produce 5000 cars a year.
Read more about this topic: Buddy (electric Car)
Famous quotes containing the words technology and/or production:
“The real accomplishment of modern science and technology consists in taking ordinary men, informing them narrowly and deeply and then, through appropriate organization, arranging to have their knowledge combined with that of other specialized but equally ordinary men. This dispenses with the need for genius. The resulting performance, though less inspiring, is far more predictable.”
—John Kenneth Galbraith (b. 1908)
“Just as modern mass production requires the standardization of commodities, so the social process requires standardization of man, and this standardization is called equality.”
—Erich Fromm (1900–1980)