The VentureOne Hybrid and EV: 100 MPH, 100 MPG, and that Crazy Tilty Action
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 02.16.07
At TreeHugger, we like to keep things realistic, raise a skeptical eyebrow to potential vaporware, and to keep in check our giddy inner children that get sweaty palms when we see something like the VentureOne. After all, a bright idea, some capital, and computer drafting software aren’t too hard to come by. We truly would like to believe, though, that the VentureOne will in fact, as its creators promise, be released in late 2008, priced in the $20,000 range. If that is indeed remotely possible, then the VentureOne is big news. This remarkable looking car, if you want to call it that (it’s a motorcycle as far as the law is concerned), brings together a handful of innovative and proven technologies to make for a very green means of short or long distance transport. First, let’s talk about the drive train (and I’ll speak as if all this is really going to happen, fingers crossed).
The VentureOne will come in three configurations: a 50 kW plug-in hybrid (350-mile range), a 100 kW plug-in hybrid (300-mile range), and a 40 kW all electric model (120-mile range). Both hybrid models will be ethanol compatible with a 20-mile pure EV range, and can be charged from a conventional 110-volt outlet. The fastest of the bunch, the 100 kW hybrid, will top out at 120 mph and do 0-60 in less than 5 seconds. All three will get the equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon.
But then there’s the tippy thing. To picture this, check out the video of the Carver on the VentureOne’s site. This is a patented technology licensed from a Dutch firm called Carver Engineering. The underlying concept is that as the vehicle corners, the front half (including the cockpit) tilts to counterbalance centrifugal force, much the way a motorcycle does, while the rear two wheels stay put. The Carver, a vehicle made by Carver Engineering itself, represents the 11th generation of this technology, and they claim that it’s pretty well perfected by this point. For more on this type of technology, see our post on the suspiciously similar CLEVER.
There is quite a bit more that could be said about the VentureOne, like the specifics of its li-ion batteries, its many safety features, and its iPod compatibility, but since the green two-seater doesn’t actually exist yet, we’ll stop here and leave you with the words of Ian Bruce, a founding partner of Venture Vehicles and founder of EVP Design and Engineering: “With the same height and length as the MINI Cooper, the VentureOne will have both the performance of a sports car and the agility of a motorcycle... creating an incredibly exhilarating driving experience. The only way I can describe the sensation is comparing it to flying a jet fighter at two feet off the ground. Plus, this extraordinary performance combines the significant environmental benefits of a flex-fuel, plug-in Hybrid with a high level of affordability.” Here’s to hoping ::FlyTheRoad
Almost as nice as the 1983 Litestar capable of 100 miles per gallon.
http://www.christopherhaase.com/blog/2005/12/1983-litestar-capable-of-100-miles-per.html
Or the 150 mpg family size:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/27/loremo-debuts-150-mpg-concept-car-in-geneva/
I would swear that I've read this article before and that someone pointed out that this statement "50 kW plug-in hybrid (350-mile range), a 100 kW plug-in hybrid (300-mile range)," seems to be backwards.
Mercedes came out with a similar design about 10 years ago, it was the Life Jet 300.
I said at the time that it would be my next car,
Maybe this one will actually hit the market.
I was trying to contact Collin Dunn. I read his article on Sir Richard Branson wanting to spend billions to improve the environment. I have a solution which I have been try to get to Al Gore and will paste it here.
I am writing this in hopes this gets Mr. Gore and anyone else attention that claim they care about the environment. First the history of what I have designed in new technology that will make today Information Technology costly and very wasteful. I am backed by the third largest computer company in the world as to how it works and performs. As I am writing this I am doing it on a PC which will take my work from the keyboard to the CPU to the server then back to the CPU then the monitor. Real waste!!!! Remove the CPU go from the keyboard to the server then to the monitor. This way you save in energy power of over 85% or you use 11.2 % by SUN Microsystems testing. Oh yes the systems you would be using will runs the speed of the server which no PC can do. Did I also mention the replacement is every 10 to 12 years instead of every 3 to 4 years. More environment savings along with the energy savings. This also meets and exceeds Homeland Security standards. Now think of all the Personal Computer wasting and using valuable energy and what I can do with this solution. Al Gore you talk about lighting well what a computer using in energy compared to lights there is a big difference. I have been before the City of Rochester, New York with this plan and the County of Monroe. The County pointed out they would no longer need to use or maintain 3,400 systems with of saving into the million but could not do because they would have to let 4 or 5 people go. Now I am not sure who is reading this but it is time after 25 years of serving the Personal Computer we take the next step and that I am hope will be the read to put this into the powers to be so the environment can be helped and we move into the next step in Information Technology from REACTIVE to PROACTIVE. Now we just react to any problems on the system and hope we stay ahead (New operating Systems) with the new think we can use the computer for more than a storage device with problems. I would welcome the opportunity to show and prove what I have said is hear today not tomorrow. You can reach me at 585-469-3863.
PS As you have read this you waste 85% energy using your PC.
Sincerely,
Edward M. O'Dell
eodell2000@yahoo.com
585-469-3863
With all these superfast, superlight cars, we're going to need much smoother roads. Of course, roads will last much longer owing to less wear.
...maybe in the future we'll make roads out of wood. Asphalt is too energy intensive, and building (non-decaying) structures out of wood, and planting seedlings, is a way to long-term sequester larger quantities of carbon.
The reason Mercedes never took it to market is there is an inherent design flaw built into tilting three wheelers. You can end up tilted the "wrong way" when you need to make an emergency lane change, and end up on your side. There is no effective way to avoid this.
I see nothing to indicate Carver avoids this either:
http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1
It's expected that motorcycles end up on their sides, but a few shots of a car on it's side is bad publicity.
I'm not saying I wouldn't buy or drive one of these, but it's risk that the general public is probably unaware of and unwilling to accept.
You shouldn't perpetuate myths like that, while it is true that motorcycles at speed steer opposite to the handlebar input (its called countersteering, google it) you'd have to be a fool to flip it over the opposite way while trying to make a rapid lane change because your brain and you'r body will quickly realize what it did wrong and the process of trying to correct it will set everything straight. The reason motorcycles countersteer is that they are single track vehicles with gyroscopically stablized steering. I doubt this vehicle has that problem because due to the fact that only half the car leans it has only half of the gyroscopic force to overcome compared to a motorcycle, plus it is a mult track vehicle with a very precise lean control built in, its lean is as much a function of a mechanical apparatus as it is of Newton's laws. Anyone that has ever ridden a bicycle or motorcycle at a speed over 5 mph knows how to countersteer whether they realize it or not and it would become obvious what you need to do by the time this vehicle is out of the parking lot.
I would not call this vaporware that quick. The Carver exists and is available in the UK for about £28,000. I have posted a video of the driving experience of a Carver, as shown on Top Gear, on my website at http://www.rtp3.com/wp/archives/345.
So, if the details on the batteries check out, it may be very close to completion ... then again, as these things go, you never know when or if they will become reality.
Patrick, I would assume that those are not labeled incorrectly. The kW rating isn't in reference to the battery size, it is in reference to the power of the motor. If the motor draws more power then it will run through the same capacity battery in a shorter amount of time.
The VentureOne's tilt is controlled by a computer so driver error is impossible. Also, it will tilt from 45 degrees left (It's maximum tilt angle) to 45 degrees right in just over 1 second.
Emergency lane changes are not a problem.
I saw a Carver on the road today, midway between Middleham and Ripon, in the Yorkshire Dales. It was a spooky sight. Definitely not vapourware, though, and the driver looked like he was having a lot of fun on the winding road.
We are getting one of these... We signed up and picked our colors and have to wait until these are ready. Our Jeep Liberty will be for sale with very low mileage, if anyone's interested. It's pretty and unusual, as it has wood on it. Wood veneer, but makes it look great! Everyone likes it. But, our lease will be up. It's fully loaded with everything! It rides great too. Anyway, to get back to the VentureOne Hybrid, I love the look and even my husband, who is a stick in the mud normally, likes it alot! He told me to get it! I am so excited and can't wait! I chose Red with light Grey interior. But I was going to get the brite Yellow with Black interior, like in the video. Their dark blue looks good too.
I have read so many posts on this vehicle regarding safety and operation that I have come to the conclusion that many of the nay-sayers have little experience in the lessthan four wheel vehicle operation.
I would and hopefully will own one of these as a rainyday vehicle so I stay dry. Also my ears stay warm on cold days. This is not a grocery-getter, kid hauler or soccer mom vehicle. They can stay cumfy in their 15 seats of SUV
It's simply an inexpensive vehicle to buy and drive. I predict a number of alternative vehicles popping up with the purpose of single passenger, A-B travel.
Built it and I'll buy!
This seems to be an answer to the extravagant waste of fuel and resources in our cities.
With a fleet of these vehicles in major cities, as a hire and drop then pollution would quickly drop. However the major cause of pollution in our cities is created by bureaucrats who have their own political Agenda.
As i recall the oil companies have snatched every patent relating to engines using alternative fuels, to protect their own interests, a new engine called 2/4 Sight might just make the light of day.
The Venture one looks fun, and judging from the comments could make driving a new exciting experience, while being lean on the pocket
Editor
Groves Garage
Very cool! The "Aptera" for California residents is also a good alternative. And riding and ElectricSkateboard like the ones at
http://www.electricskateboardreviews.blogspot.com
while we wait for these other cool devices come out get something small and Electric to enjoy and share!
I'm just wondering. When plugging in the vehicle you'll be using a certain amount of energy. Does this impact the environment in any way?