AC Propulsion eBox

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

AC Propulsion eBox
Overview
Manufacturer AC Propulsion
Production 2007-20??
Designer AC Propulsion, Toyota
Body and chassis
Class Mini MPV
Body style 5-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, Front-wheel drive
Platform Toyota Scion xB
Related AC Propulsion tzero
Tesla Roadster
Powertrain
Engine 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,499 millimetres (98.4 in)
Length 3,944 millimetres (155.3 in)
Width 1,689 millimetres (66.5 in)
Height 1,641 millimetres (64.6 in)
Curb weight 1,383 kilograms (3,049 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor AC Propulsion tzero

History

Lateral view of the AC Propulsion eBox

AC Propulsion executives announced their intention to convert Scion xBs to battery electric vehicles in October, 2003.[1] 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.[2]

The prototype eBox was unveiled in Santa Monica, California 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 replaced 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.[3]

Specifications

References

  1. ↑ "Scott, Paul, Paul Scott's EV Party". Electrifyingtimes.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  2. ↑ "Batteries Characteristics: Energy and Power". Energyandclimate.org. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  3. ↑ "Bagatelle-Black, Forbes, 2006-8-21, First Peek Inside the eBox". Evworld.com. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  4. ↑ Simanaitis, Dennis (2009-01-23). "Eclectic Electrics: AC Propulsion eBox, Road and Track". Roadandtrack.com. Archived from the original on 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
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