RORMaxx Formula AE: the first wind powered EV sportscar

[AVANTI R5]

[quote]

Although wind is not frequently contemplated of as a latent source of energy for automobiles, two aspiring high school students in California are doing studies into the possibilities. The founders of RORMaxx Rory Handel and Max Bricklin are working out the minor difficulties on an electric vehicle chiefly propelled by the wind and the sun.Only in its infancy, their Formula AE race vehicle exists only in an early-design stage.

The race vehicle that come with alternative energy will be propelled by a 285 hp AC induction motor, using the most current available sustainable energy technologies. Lightweight, and extremely thin SolarPly paneling will recharge the vehicle’s lithium-phosphate batteries, at the same time adding more to the vehicle’s range to between 15% to 30%. Once mobile, the four air vents channel airflow into four small turbines. These turbines generate electric charges which are stored in ultracapacitors for instant utilization, something that is essential to rapid acceleration.

Certainly Rory Handel’s auto racing aspirations have influenced the design. The vehicle has been designed with the form of a F1 vehicle in mind. Created from aluminum, with the presence of steel in a few places, the Formula AE will come with front and rear crash boxes to protect the driver. Included also are racing suspension and aluminum monobloc calipers. To counter the extra weight of the batteries and electric motor, forged magnesium racing wheels wrapped in medium-compound rubber are added.


When completely developed, RORMaxx is interested in producing body panels from a hemp-based composite fiber, to make the vehicle lightweight like carbon fiber, but at the same time keeping an eco-friendly image.



The utilization of hemp may have you thinking the motivations of these students, but the founder of RORMaxx are far from being hippie-wannabes. Not like other alternative power groups, this organization is not swift to pass judgment on the oil industry. They are more harmonizing, recognizing the significant role oil has played in research and development at the same time pointing to the fact that companies will always require to generate profit.


They refer to John D. Rockefeller as their motivation. Standard Oil was started by Rockefeller as a way of bringing in a new age of industry in the US. Rockefeller’s intention was to generate funds via oil drilling and distribution, but to utilize that money to fund more research, the group said.With a strong understanding that an endless source of utilizable energy is exceedingly more valuable than a restricted supply of fossil fuels, exploration into the Formula AE is intended to show how competent we are of living with reduced oil dependence.

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[John C]

I think it took longer for me to read that than it took to draw it and issue a (completely pointless) press release.

[Nateness]

This seems like a pretty weak and useless idea. Where does the energy come from?

It sounds like they are trying to build a race car w/ a 285 hp engine, tack on a few solar cells, and use some gimmicky wind turbines just for show. It seems to me that the drag created from the wind turbines will have to be made up by the conventional engine. So it is just another way of burning more fuel to create electric energy, which seems very inefficient.

[elirentz]

The motor is an "ac induction" motor so its electric not hybrid. You're right about the turbines though no such thing as free energy, I guess if its somehow derived from the sun it might be considered free but other than the solar panels this isn't. From the sound of the article is seems they want to use the turbines to aid acceleration so I guess they figure trading high speed drag for faster low speed acceleration is worth it.