Electric Vehicle

CERES Transport Working Group - Electric Vehicle Project
CERES converts a Citroen to Electric Power

A group of volunteers at CERES Community Environment Park in East Brunswick recently converted a Citroen Berlingo from a petrol powered motor to an electric motor, paving the way for more environmentally sustainable transport in the future.

The Lord Mayor’s Fund & Donkey Wheel generously provided funding and highly trained volunteers in the CERES transport Group provided the labour for the project.

The Victorian Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Innovation, Gavin Jennings launched the car on Thursday June 5th , World Environment Day at CERES Community Environment Park.

Robert Larocca, CERES Chairperson said that if the electric power was generated by green power the car was carbon free.

“This project has been about demonstrating it was possible to convert an existing mass produced car from a greenhouse gas emitting petrol driven car into a carbon free electric one.
“The need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels such as petrol is obvious, particularly with cost of petrol soaring in recent times. “The way that hybrids have been embraced is a sign of the growing demand for more environmentally friendly alternative to our current petrol fuelled cars. “With a top speed of 90-100km/h, a range of around 150km the electric powered Berlingo is suited for local trips. It takes between 6 and 8 hours to totally recharge and can be charged after every trip, no need to wait for the cells to run low.

“Being carbon free is not the only advantage. The car has a simple engine design and few moving parts meaning they don’t require the servicing a combustion engine requires. There is also no need for oil changes & filters, fuel tanks, fuel injectors, carburettors, or an exhaust system. Nor is there a need for replacing spark plugs, engine oil, oil filters, air filters & timing belts. “This is another example of CERES providing cutting edge ideas about how to combat climate change.

“CERES would love to see this take off in the future and is looking to develop an electric vehicle conversion training program and suppling information to help other people get started themselves” Mr Larocca concluded.

Open the Electric Vehicle Fact Sheet

What is so good about electric vehicles?
Electricity can be ‘green’ (from renewable sources), therefore travel can then become more or less carbon free. Refuelling is just like charging any other appliance – plug it in the wall at night (as long as the electricity is on a green power scheme) and the next morning the car can be driven without having to visit a petrol station. With a renewable power supply, these cars would obtain their energy from a non-emitting source, whilst paying virtually nothing.

Also,
No need for a complex engine with large numbers of moving parts.
An electric motor is extremely simple
No requirement for oil changes and filters, fuel tanks, fuel injectors, carburettors, or an exhaust system. There is no requirement for servicing and replacement of spark plugs, engine oil, oil filters, air filters, and timing belts. No need for emissions tests.
Maintenance is easy. In a practical sense, the only work required on the car is electrical system checks and tyre rotation.
Electric motors are probably the most efficient systems for propelling cars. They are between 85% and 95% efficient at using energy, whereas ordinary car engines are only 15 - 25% efficient at converting fuel energy to motion. Cars can be ‘recharged’ during the braking process. And, they consume no energy when the car is stationary, the motor does not run at all.

For more information about joining in meetings, location and times please contact Rhys at rhys@ceres.org.au

links
Sydney Branch - Electric Vehicle Association
sydneyaeva.googlepages.com

EVWorld - a general view of worldwide developments
www.evworld.com

Simon Dodd’s Electric Vehicle conversion in Coburg
members.optusnet.com.au/~siberspace

Join in the conversation about electric vehicles at our new blog
ceresev.wordpress.com

Making the Switch (Segment 3) – a downloadable Channel 31 episode on the CERES electric vehicle workshop held in June 2007
www.makingtheswitch.com.au/content/view/48/30