Father and Son Team Build "Dream Car" EV Prototype
by Jeremy Elton Jacquot, Los Angeles on 02.19.08
Image courtesy of Laura Stoecker/Daily Herald
Let's face it: the pyramid-shaped "Dream Car" isn't likely to win any design competitions - the Tesla Roadster it ain't. But what it lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in sheer grit and ingenuity. Oh, and did we mention its creators are a father-son trio working from home?
Weighing in at a hefty 8,000 pounds - more than double the weight of many SUVs - the, shall we say, less than practical Dream Car seats only one and runs on 80 batteries powering its 4 electric engines. It can reach a top speed of 45 mph, has a maximum range of about 80 miles; its re-charging time is close to 4 hours. It took Greg Zanis and his sons, Chris and Greg, $60,000 in supplies and over a year to assemble the prototype.
While we're not sure we'd go as far as to call the car "revolutionary," as Zanis put it (though it's certainly "unique"), we do agree it has an intriguing set of features: a bumper that wraps around the car, gel-filled tires, an electric braking system, neon lights and a four-wheel drive.
Zanis is under no illusion that his modest effort will do much to push the EV movement forward; however, with the experience he has gained from building the first Dream Car, he is hoping the next prototype he designs will prove faster and - perhaps most importantly - more practical. For one thing, he plans on increasing its maximum range to 500 miles and on adding more standard features, such as an air bag system and side entrance (not exactly innovations, we know).
His immediate priority is finding a backer to provide him with around $40,000 in funding to continue (at least give the man credit for pushing ahead). Any takers?
See also: ::An Electric Car That Dives Underwater: The Rinspeed sQuba, ::High School Homework: Make an Electric Car, ::XS500 by Miles: $30,000 $60,000 Electric Car in 2009 [Updated]
This is rubbish. what a waste of $60K. Idiot.
They're not idiots, they are trying to do something for a change to the better. If they change the body shape, get the weight down, and put it into mass production, they have proven that it could be a feasible means of transportation with a short recharge time. They could improve several things and prototypes always cost way more, so really 60k isn't that bad.
Just the thing for when the pharaohs make their comeback to world domination...
Used 2002 Prius : 20K$
EV-35 pack w/plug-in : 20K$
Bonus :
- airbags
- highway speeds
- gas motor backup & generator
- brake regen
- coasting
The Prius technology effectively doubles the range of an EV-35 battery pack.
IOW, if you limit your driving speed to 50Mph you can get 70 miles with an EV-35 and not using a drop of gas.
If you want to recharge on the go, flip a switch for gas, or go on the highway for 15 minutes.
Just think, an EV-35 Prius and a single tank of gas, can cross Australia. Bonus : air conditioning :)
(perhaps 2 tanks of gas to cross the US)
If the GM Volt doesn't become VaporWare, the Volt will be the only car able to beat the Prius specs.
I agree: Rubbish. Why so heavy? And why waste a year to make a pyramid? They could have just made a small aerodynamic car that weighs less and ran on the same power source but we be 20% more efficient since it's not pushing all the air.
Rubbish, could have converted a lightweight car for much less.
Perhaps they "wasted" their time on this project for the same reason that so many people "waste" their time cooking at home, or handknitting a sweater - for the fun of it.
Not everything has to be practical, and this is certainly a greener impractical car project than rebuilding a muscle-car (a quite popular father-son project.)
Kree, Jaffa!
Jeez, guys. Take it easy. A father and his sons did something good for the world and good for themselves, even if it isn't the best thing to ever come out of the auto industry.
"It can reach a top speed of 45 mph, has a maximum range of about 80 miles; "
"For one thing, he plans on increasing its maximum range to 500 miles"
Right, maybe another 8,000 lbs of batteries will do that. Even looking at energy densities, if they have lead acid going to Li-Ion will not get that range (do the math of you don't believe me)
Should have spent about $1,000 buying EV and engineering books, and then likely would have spent $10,000 on a conversion on an existing chassis like hundreds of other people already do
I've built plenty of things in my garage that were a waste of time and money and had little point, but this takes the cake!
I wonder what his Mummmmy had to say about it?
Sorry folks it has to be said.
D~W
D~W: good catch :)
While I applaud father son projects, trying new things, and the spirit/process of invention, this guy needs to read a few books before spending any more money, whether his own or donated. May I suggest he start with a few basic science textbooks before even attempting to comprehend an EV design book.
After checking out out his site it would seem he's far more comfortable with prayers, creationism, miracles, and "erecting 10,000 crosses in 50 states...", than anything resembling engineering and/or mechanical design.
I hate to rip on this nice and well intentioned familly guy, but part of me still hopes that this is a joke. He's planning a 8,000lb, 200mph car with 300+ mile range to sell for less than 24K USD ?!?!?!?!?! Right -- and I've found a way to poop nuggets of antimatter.
Maybe he's invented the real "Mr. Fusion" that puts out 1.21 Gigawatts ... to go along with his anti-gravity sneakers that he needs to get in and out of this thing (couldn't make the lower door into a ramp?) ?
I'm guessing aerodynamics is a foreign word to this guy. A for effort, but making inefficient, impractical, horrible looking designs that turn a blind eye to some of the most basic design principles of automobiles is not 'doing something good for the world'. All he's done is consume resources for a rolling embarassment.
It would be one thing if he were just doing it for kicks, but as he clearly stated he's looking for backers, meaning this isn't intended to be a mere hobby project. I feel bad for the insane amount he spent to get the thing built too, $60,000 for that is insane. At least it'll get him far enough to pick up his welfare check.
Hey, wait a minute! Draq Wraith's 'mummy' comment gets published and my 'Kree, Jaffa!' gets blocked?
Shol'va!
PS - (for those that love the Tesla Roadster) Tesla Motors Inc., a San Carlos, Calif.-based maker of electric cars, has raised just $40 million in "bridge financing." Valor Equity Partners and Tesla chairman Elon Musk co-led the round.
And how many cars have you guys made...?
It works perfectly well as a learning exercise, and it's great that a father-son(s) team made something that functions, but how much does this help the planet when he could have converted 3 cars for less money? How much CO2 will this "car" offset over its lifespan? Think of it: all three of them could have freeway-capable pure electric cars, and probably have enough money left over for solar panels on the garage to charge them!! I can think of one explanation for this: they wanted something for the local parade (no worries about high-speed crash testing or suspension and ground clearance).
Check out what other people have done at EVAlbum.com
Granted, father-son projects are fun, even if pointless. I do think that $60,000 is a whole lot more then he could have spent on something like this, but I think there's hope yet.
I think I'd look at a few modifications to the current car to see if he can increase the performance (w/o spending another $40k).
1. It's got 4wd. Good for acceleration. What happens it 2 motors cut out at speed? Would save power consumption.
2. See what other weight could get cut down from the car. Wrap-around bumpers can be heavy. . . . If you could cut out two motors selectively, you might be able to reduce the quantity of batteries w/o effecting the range. Fewer batteries = less weight.
3. How efficient is the Neon?
this kicks ass.
Yeah, the pyramid is a bad idea. If it were a different shape or form then every thing would be okay. I suggest making a new model. and not spend 60k on a moving pyramid. If you want movin pyramid why don't you just use the frame but use your legs to move it, and use flash lights for the lights. Simple, and you don't have to use gas and kill the enviroment! i may be 16 but honestly! it's stupid. If i had the money, and connections i would be able to make a good car. Some thing that would be good on a native reserve! a nice transmission, and better shocks cause it's sure bumpy! well that's my suggestion! peace.
Wow...I think he is crazy. The car is bullet proof? Wait a sec! This IS the car of the future, at last...I will no longer live in fear of being shot in my car.
The Plexiglas exterior panels of the car will also double as a cutting board of the future! No more looking for your cutting board in the cupboards. Simply pull into the garage after a long day of work, and prepare dinner on the car's exterior!
The car's heater can heat the cab up in 2 minutes...and you can detach it to dry your hair!
As far as aesthetics go. People associate BMW and Mercedes with greatness. Well my friend, the DreamCar123 has them beat, because there's nothing more great than the social status that comes from driving around a pyramid. People will be trying there best to get a gander at what Pharaoh King might be behind the wheel.
In summation, all I have to say is...DreamCar123. I salute you!
LOL i helped make this car and it gets over 500 miles on a charge with 80 TROJAN batteries and it will cost about 15k to make and this did not cost us 60k it cost like 5k wow daileyherald sure twisted what we said
lol not going to win design competions? healready did. Lipo batteries cost double and require special chargers and balencers let admit it lipo will never be practical
AND the REAL car of this will have a differnt front and will be more wind dynamic then a corvette