AC Propulsion eBox

The eBox is a conversion of a Scion xB vehicle into a battery electric vehicle produced by the U.S. company AC Propulsion.

Infobox Automobile


name = AC Propulsion eBox
manufacturer = AC Propulsion
production = 2007-present
class = Mini MPV
platform = Toyota Scion xB
body_style = Mini MPV, 5-door compact hatchback
engine = 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction
length = 3944 mm / 155.4 in.
width = 1689 mm / 66.5 in.
height = 1641 mm / 64.6 in.
weight = 1383 kg / 3050 lb
related = AC Propulsion tzero
Tesla Roadster
similar =
designer = AC Propulsion, Toyota
transmission =
fuel_capacity = 35kWh
wheelbase = 2499 mm / 98.4 in.
front_track = 1455 mm / 57.3 in.
rear_track = 1430 mm / 56.3 in.
ground_clearance = 130 mm / 5.1 in.
aka =
top_speed = 153 km/h / 95mph
layout = Front-engine, Front-wheel drive

parent_company =
assembly =
predecessor = AC Propulsion tzero
successor =

History

One of the events at which company executives made announcements of their intention to do Scion xB conversions was an October 2003 event recorded in pictures and commentary on the Electrifying Times website. Company executives stated that the Scion xB was chosen in part due to its boxy shape which allows for good placement and installation of a battery pack. The availability of a suitable battery was said to be an important step in allowing for the announcement of the program. Suitability requirements included that the battery be widely available ("off the shelf"), in volume, without danger that supply would be cut off or be overly limited. Thousands of lithium-ion batteries, of the 18650 variant, were proposed as suitable for the rechargeable battery system.

The prototype eBox was unveiled in Santa Monica, CA on August 18, 2006. The prototype used a battery pack consisting of 5,300 Li-ion cells arranged into 100 blocks of 53 cells each.

The first production eBox was delivered to actor Tom Hanks on February 15, 2007.

Pricing

Estimated cost of this conversion exceeds USD $50,000 in addition to the base vehicle cost (excluding the cost of the gasoline engine, that is depurated in the conversion), while high volume OEM additional cost is projected at about USD $10,000. It appears that high volume production by original vehicle manufactures using AC production components is a goal, with the low volume production being an intermediate step.

AC Propulsion offers the conversion for USD $55,000 [ [http://www.acpropulsion.com/ebox/pricing.htm eBox - Pricing & Availability ] ] .

pecifications

*Acceleration: 0 to 60mph in less than 7 seconds
*Top Speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
*Range: 140-180 mi. (225-290 km)
* Motor: AC induction motor
*Battery pack: 5,088 Li-Ion cells, 355V nominal, 35kWh, 600 lb
*Battery charger: On board, 100-250VAC, 50/60Hz, includes Vehicle to Grid (V2G) and UPS (generator mode) capability
**Charge rate: up to 20kW; 30 minutes for 20-50 miles
**Full Charge: 2 hours (fast), 5 hours (normal)
*Energy Efficiency: 180 AC Wh/km in typical driving

References

See also

* AC Propulsion

External links

* " [http://www.acpropulsion.com/ebox/default.htm eBox Homepage] " - AC Propulsion
* [http://www.stefanoparis.com/piaev/acpropulsion/eBox/ebox.html Review and video gallery (Stefano Paris}]
* [http://www.stefanoparis.com/piaev/acpropulsion/eBox/2006.08.18eBox/eBoxFirstPeekMov.html Video of a test drive (Stefano Paris)] , [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3984709427165388062 Google Video format]
* [http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/paul_scott.html Pictures and notes from the company's October 2003 presentation Electrifyingtimes.com).]
* [http://www.evworld.com/syndicated/evworld_article_1084.cfm Informational article from August 2006 which provides updated information as to eBox price, quality, availability, company views. (EVWorld.com)]
* [http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&archive=1&storyid=1084&first=5232&end=5231 similar EV World article with improved web formatting]