Corbin Sparrow

Infobox Automobile
name=Corbin Sparrow


manufacturer=Corbin Motors
production=1999–2003; 2005-Present;
class=Battery electric microcar
body_style=2-door coupe (Pizza Butt)
1-door (Jelly Bean)
length=96 in (2438 mm )
width=48 in (1219 mm)
wheelbase=72 in (1829 mm )
height=57 in (1447 mm )
weight=1350 lb (612 kg)
related=Commuter Cars Tango
Fuji Cabin
Messerschmitt KR200
fuel_capacity= 6.24 kW·h cite web
url=http://www.myersmotors.com/manual/Proc1696.htm
title= NmG : Electric Drive System : Batteries
publisher=Myers Motors OneCARE SMARTManuals
author= [http://www.myersmotors.com/ Myers Motors]
accessdate=2007-09-11]
top_speed = 121 km/h (76 mph)cite web
url=http://www.myersmotors.com/buynow.html
title=Myers Motors Buy Your NmG Now
author= [http://www.myersmotors.com/ Myers Motors]
accessdate=2007-09-11]

The Corbin Sparrow is a single-passenger, three-wheeled, battery electric vehicle designed specifically for commuting and city driving. It was initially produced by Corbin Motors and now by Myers Motors.

The Sparrow is powered by a 20 kW (continuous) 156-volt DC or 3-phase AC electric motor and has a range of 32 to 64 km (20 to 40 miles) and a top speed of 112 km/h (70 mph). Fuel efficiency is approximately 130 W·h/km (4.8 mi/(kW·h 0) which is equivalent to 162 mpg (1.45 l/100 km) using the DOE conversion. cite paper
author = U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
title = Federal Register Vol. 64 No. 113
version =
publisher = U.S. GPO
date = 2000-07-12
url = http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2000_register&docid=00-14446-filed.pdf
format = PDF
accessdate = 2006-09-22]

Two models were produced: the original "jelly bean" model and then a hatchback model, which was nicknamed "pizza butt" because it was designed for use by Domino's Pizza. The vehicles are so eye-catching that Hollywood star Mike Myers featured a group of them in the movie "Austin Powers in Goldmember".

History

In January 1996, Corbin Motors began work on developing an electric vehicle. The Sparrow passed final testing for Department of Transportation certification in April 1999. In September of that year, the Sparrow production line began manufacturing multiple vehicles in Hollister, California.

Fewer than 300 Sparrows were produced. Corbin Motors filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on March 31 2003, effectively killing the immediate future of the Corbin Sparrow. A bankruptcy court passed the Corbin assets to Ron Huch's company, Phoenix Environmental Motors, which tried to revive the Sparrow. On August 5, 2004, Ohio businessman Dana Myers bought the Sparrow interests from Ron Huch. The new company, [http://myersmotors.com/ Myers Motors] , has upgraded the Sparrow, renamed it the MM NmG ("No more Gas"), and started selling it in April of 2006. As of June of 2008 the website lists a price of $29,995 without taxes or shipping.

Electrical system

The Sparrow electrical systems in a Corbin Sparrow VIN28 is composed of three isolated sections. "Defanging" is the process of changing the circuit to disconnect the high voltage from the low voltage [ [http://enviromotors.com/wiki/index.php/Sparrow/Defanging Enviromotors Wiki | Sparrow / Defanging ] ] .

Line voltage

110 / 220 V AC

*Battery charger ( on-board charger made by Zivan). It can be replaced by a Manzanitamicro PFC-20 or PFC-30 [ [http://enviromotors.com/wiki/index.php/Sparrow/OtherCharger Enviromotors Wiki | Sparrow / OtherCharger ] ]
*Line voltage sensor.

High voltage

156 V DC
* A 20 kW (continuous) 156-volt DC traction motor (Advanced DC Motors convert|8|in|mm|0|sing=on diameter, part #203-06-4004) [ [http://www.adcmotors.com Advanced DC Motors] ]
* Motor controller (Zark VIN 28, DCP or KiloVac EVCL controllers).
* Energy is supplied by a battery pack composed of thirteen 12-volt deep-cycle lead-acid Optima batteries [ [http://enviromotors.com/wiki/index.php/Sparrow/Batteries Enviromotors Wiki | Sparrow / Batteries ] ] .

Low voltage

13.5 V DC
* DC to DC converter
* Accessories, that includes cigarette lighter outlet, radio/CD player, ignition switch, cabin fan and heater, speedometer, horn, direction, automotive lighting (headlamps and stop and backup lamps), door switch, seat belt, brake alarms, power windows and windshield wiper.

See also

* Electric motorcycles and scooters
* Electric vehicle
* Messerschmitt KR200
* Venture Vehicles

References

External links

* [http://myersmotors.com/ Myers Motors]
* [http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=18485 Myers Motors Launches Lithium Ion Initiative]
* [http://www.3wheelers.com/corbinnotice.html Corbin (old owner) files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy] (March 31, 2003).
* [http://signup.mw.net/sparrow02.shtml The 1st Sparrow Hatched]
* [http://www.yellowmotors.com/ Yellow Motors]
* [http://enviromotors.com/wiki/ Sparrow closed wiki]
* [http://www.evworld.com/archives/interviews/corbin.html Interview with the creator]
* [http://www.in-my-opinion.org/corbin%20sparrow-photo-gallery.html Sparrow Photos]
* [http://corbinsparrow.com Tom Corbin's version of the Sparrow's story at CorbinSparrow.com]
* [http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcnuts/sparrow.html If You Build Personal Transportation Modules, Will They Come?]
* [http://www.3wheelers.com/corbin Corbin Sparrow on 3-wheelers.com]
* [http://www.evcl.com/ EVCL]