Ultra-Efficient Category L7E Hybrid Electric Vehicle: 200mpg+

Welcome! This is a brief landing page for the Ultra-efficient Category L7E Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The goal:

To design an affordable Ultra-efficient (200mpg+) Hybrid Electric Vehicle, using off-the-shelf parts, using parts and manufacturing techniques that will not require further development, and to see the vehicle through into mass-production.

May 12 2012 News: work has started! Conversion process is being documented.

• If you would like to help fund this product, please contact lkcl@rh-technology.com.

• A brief 2 page flyer, suitable for printing, is now available.
• If you would like to run the online Vehicle Simulation, click here.
• The full source code is available, for examination (released under the Affero AGPLv3+ License)
• Videos are available here:
  • 2 min Presentation
  • Presentation
  • Early Demonstration (20 mins)
• For more information on the maths and principles which make it even possible to achieve ultra-efficient fuel economy figures, this article explains what's going on, and shows why the very very specific criteria have to be met.
• For a comparison of the proposed vehicle and those in production or as concept cars, click here.
• For a comparison of the types of Drivetrains which could be used, and a rationale for the final choice for the proposed vehicle (Front Wheel Drive, Suzuki Swift Gearbox), please see here.
• For an article explaining the best and worst operating conditions of a vehicle with the chosen characteristics, click here.
• An article on hybridcar.com asks the pointed question of why there are no ultra-efficient hybrid EVs presently in production that can be bought, today. (Original article locally here).
• 12th November 2011: A Chevy Volt's Lithium battery catches fire. Lithium is a highly reactive metal (which is why it is used in batteries) - but it ignites spontaneously if exposed to water and air. This is why this vehicle is designed to be small, light-weight and aerodynamic, so that the larger battery pack simply is not needed, and a much safer and smaller Lead-Acid battery is sufficient.

Screenshot of 3D CAD/CAM development from the original model, as of Nov 4th:

Photo of Suzuki Swift Gearbox (13in width, 17in length):

Credits and Insights

• Thank you to GameboyRMH on slashdot for pointing out this: http://www.zercustoms.com/news/images/Lancia/2011-Lancia-Stratos-8.jpg and the reasons why.
• Also thank you to GameboyRMH for pointing out that the early prototype looks like it's designed with a sledgehammer
• Thank you also to Geoff for putting up with phone calls of about an hour per day discussing the design and aspects of it.
• Locutus of slashdot points out that the maintenance on his Prius is far lower. The oil is still clear-coloured each time after 5,000 miles, and regenerative braking means that they still haven't changed the brake pads after 100,000 miles.

Contact details:
lkcl@rh-technology.com