Holden Commodore EV

In its January 2012 edition, the Australian motoring magazine, Wheels, has a progress report on the EV Engineering consortium project to develop an EV Holden* Commodore.  The consortium consists of Bosch, Continental, Air International & GE.  Holden is providing engineering support & use of its Lang Lang testing facility.  Funding has been provided, in part, by the Australian Federal Government in the sum of $A3.55 million.

• Similar performance to a 6 cylinder Commodore.
• Range 160 km.  Real world 80-140 km.
• Battery in the space previously occupied by the engine, transmission & driveshaft.  In the current fitting, it is bolted from below, although a Better Place compatible quick swap system is in development.
• Electronics replace the fuel tank.
• Motor is attached to a modified rear subframe.  Standard mounting points are retained
• 150 kg added mass, though little change in weight distribution.
• Heating is provided by the standard Commodore heater with the assistance of a small, electric water heater.
• Quite a bit of room remains under the bonnet, although the fuel tank has been removed, so a range extender will be problematic.

Holden is "interested", although a commercial product marketed by them is highly unlikely with the Volt extended range EV planned for release late in 2012.

* Holden is General Motors in Australia.