Solectria Corporation

Last updated
Solectria Corporation
Industrybattery-electric vehicles
Founded1989;35 years ago (1989) in Wilmington, Massachusetts, United States
FoundersJames Worden, Anita Rajan
DefunctDecember 2004 (2004-12)
Fateacquired
Successor Azure Dynamics
Headquarters
Woburn, Massachusetts
Products Force, Sunrise
Website solectria.com

Solectria Corporation was responsible for the design, engineering, and manufacturing of energy management components for industrial applications, including electric vehicles, parallel hybrid drivetrains, and power generation applications. It was founded in 1989 and based in Woburn, Massachusetts. In December 2004, Solectria was acquired by Azure Dynamics.

Contents

Corporate history

Solectria derives its name from the series of solar race cars built by James Worden starting in 1984; the Solectria I won the 1984 Massachusetts Science Fair, and he was admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that year, next won the MIT Mechanical Engineering annual DeFlores Awards during his first year with his 'road worthy' solar car where he met several of his fellow MIT solar car team founding teammates who sparked the idea of racing, later graduating in 1989. [1] That series of cars culminated in the Solectria V for the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team (SEVT) of 1988, which set a world speed record of 90 mph (140 km/h). [2] Professors Woodie Flowers and Doc Edgerton played a key role in supporting the nascent SEVT, [3] : 31  which raced for the first time in the 1987 Tour de Sol and World Solar Challenge with Solectria IV. [3] : 49 

Worden founded Solectria Corporation in 1989 with a SEVT teammate and his future wife, Anita Rajan. [3] : 3  They started by marketing components for teams seeking to enter solar car races. [3] : 56–57  Although Worden designed the firm's first car, the LightSpeed, in early 1990, the company was becoming better-known as a supplier of key EV drivetrain components, including the DC-AC inverter to convert energy from the storage battery to the traction motor, and the motor controller. [3] : 66–67  The first prototype LightSpeed was completed by May 1990, when it won the commuter class of the American Tour de Sol. It had gull-wing doors, a range of 120 mi (190 km), and weighed just 1,200 lb (540 kg) thanks to its aluminum chassis and composite body. [3] : 68  Production of road-legal vehicles began in March 1991, with the electric vehicle conversion of a Geo Metro into the first Solectria Force. [3] : 70  The first nine Forces were delivered to Arizona Public Service, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Southern California Edison. At the time, Solectria had just three full-time employees: Worden, Rajan, and Ed Trembly, an Arlington machinist who had helped Worden build the first Solectria cars in the 1980s. [3] : 71 

A prototype Sunrise was completed in time to be displayed at the World Electric Vehicle Association's twelfth annual meeting (EVS-12) in Anaheim, held in December 1994; Solectria announced they would build 20,000 in 1997 and sell them for $20,000 each. [3] : 125  Compared to the contemporary GM Impact, the Sunrise shown as EVS-12 was a rolling shell, without powertrain or battery. [3] : 126  At the May 1995 American Tour de Sol, Worden raced the prototype Sunrise, winning the commuter category and setting a distance record of 238 mi (383 km) on a single charge along the way. [3] : 155, 160 

However, scaling Solectria's small operation for mass production of the Sunrise would prove to be difficult while demand dropped for its conversions due to legacy auto manufacturers entering the market for electric and hybrid vehicles. [3] : 187  After completing approximately 400 Solectria-branded vehicles, the company announced in 2001 it was shifting its focus to component supply and engineering services instead. [4]

Solectria was acquired by Azure Dynamics in December 2004; the stock swap resulted in Solectria shareholders owning approximately 20% of Azure. Solectria president John Mulcair became the President and COO of the combined company, while Azure CEO David Deacon became Executive VP of Marketing and Business Development. Solectria CEO Worden stepped down but retained a position on the advisory board. [5]

Anita and James Worden founded Solectria Renewables in 2005 as a spinoff of Solectria Corporation, focusing on the solar inverter market. Solectria Renewables was acquired by Yaskawa America in 2014. [6]

Products

Electric vehicle components

Solectria offered a line of electric vehicle drivetrain components, including traction motors with different technologies (AC induction, DC brushless and brushed permanent magnet), the accompanying motor controllers, reduction gearboxes, battery chargers, and DC-to-DC converters (to operate existing 12V parts and accessories using the high-voltage storage battery). [7]

Electric vehicles

Solectria LightSpeed at the Boston Museum of Science Museum of Science, Boston, MA - IMG 3183.JPG
Solectria LightSpeed at the Boston Museum of Science

Racing prototypes

The LightSpeed (1990) and Flash (1991) were prototypes that followed the lightweight, efficiency-focused principles of the SEVT cars designed by Worden, and were campaigned in the American Tour de Sol. [10] [11] The LightSpeed was equipped with solar panels generating 200 W (0.27 hp) and driven by two 30 hp (22 kW) electric traction motors; it carried nickel-cadmium batteries and weighed 850 lb (390 kg). [10] The Flash had three wheels, driven by a 20 hp (15 kW) brushless permanent magnet DC motor, weighing 860 lb (390 kg), of which 400 lb (180 kg) was the NiCd batteries. [11]

Passenger vehicles

The company's first road-legal vehicles were the Force, which had a suggested retail price of US$26,000(equivalent to $49,000 in 2023) in 1998, and the E-10, MSRP US$43,000(equivalent to $80,000 in 2023). The cost was high relative to the donor vehicles because Solectria could not obtain gliders, which are vehicle chassis without powertrain components such as the engine and transmission, [3] : 100  until December 1998. [12] The Solectria Force was introduced in 1991, followed by the E-10 in 1993; [13] the Sunrise was planned to follow for the 1998 model year. By 1995, more than 160 Solectria electric vehicles had been sold, collectively accumulating more than 1,000,000 mi (1,600,000 km). Clients included Arizona Public Service, Boston Edison Company, Southern California Edison, State of Massachusetts (Division of Energy Resources), Connecticut Commuter EV Demo Program, Virginia Power, and EVermont. [14]

All three production vehicle lines used AC induction traction motors and came standard with lead-acid batteries. [15] A variant of the Force with nickel-metal hydride batteries was introduced in August 1995, giving the vehicle a range exceeding 100 mi (160 km) and a minimum battery life of six years. [16] Solectria marketed its vehicles in Japan through Sanoh Industrial. [17]

Initial design work for the Sunrise was handled by Richard Gresens, refined by James Kuo, a recent graduate of the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena. [3] : 101–102  Worden had envisioned a subcompact car, while Boston Edison, who were co-sponsoring the project with DARPA, were looking for a full-size sedan; the mid-size Sunrise was the compromise. [3] : 103  Just three Sunrise prototypes were completed. [18]

Commercial vehicles

The CitiVan delivery van was unveiled in December 1997. [3] : 187  It had a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h) and a range, fully-loaded with 3,500 lb (1,600 kg), of 40 mi (64 km). [8] Solectria followed with the off-highway Flash "micro pickup truck", introduced in July 1998. [19]

In November 1998, Transport Canada commissioned Solectria to convert two Grumman LLVs to battery-electric; they were delivered to Canada Post in February 1999. [20] : 1  The performance report, comparing the converted LLV to a conventional LLV, was published in February 2000. [20]

Hybrid drivetrain components

Solectria began supplying components to Advanced Vehicle Systems (AVS) of Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1998, which integrated them into electric and hybrid electric buses. [21] [22] AVS supplied hybrid buses to the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority. [23] In addition, Solectria supplied electric drivetrain components to New Flyer (for an Orange County Transportation Authority bus) [24] and Resurfice Corporation (for the Olympia Cellect). [25]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid vehicle</span> Vehicle using two or more power sources

A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle</span> Vehicle propelled by one or more electric motors

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. The vehicle can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or can be powered autonomously by a battery or by converting fuel to electricity using a generator or fuel cells. EVs include road and rail vehicles, electric boats and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman LLV</span> American light transport truck model

The Grumman Long Life Vehicle (LLV) is an American light transport truck model designed as a mail truck for the United States Postal Service, which has been its primary user since it first entered service in 1986, 38 years ago. It was also used by Canada Post. The LLV uses a chassis built by GM based on the S-10 with an aluminum body built by Grumman.

Global Hybrid Cooperation, formerly Advanced Hybrid System 2 (AHS2), is a set of hybrid vehicle technologies jointly developed by General Motors, Daimler, and Chrysler LLC, with BMW joining in 2005. It uses 2 or 3 planetary gearsets in an automatic transmission: one on the internal combustion engine (ICE) side paired with a second, forming the compound split, and possibly one third additional planetary gearset to multiply the number of fixed gear ratios. General Motors has stopped using the "AHS2" name as of 2006, preferring to call it simply a two-mode hybrid system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar vehicle</span> Electric vehicle powered by solar energy

A solar vehicle or solar electric vehicle is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by direct solar energy. Usually, photovoltaic (PV) cells contained in solar panels convert the sun's energy directly into electric energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Transit Connect</span> Compact panel van manufactured by Ford

The Ford Transit Connect is a compact panel van sold by Ford since 2002. Developed by Ford of Europe, the model line replaced sedan-based vans with a dedicated commercial vehicle platform. The model line is the second-smallest vehicle of the Ford Transit range, slotted between the Ford Transit Courier LAV and the Ford Transit Custom LCV/MPV. In line with other Ford Transit variants, passenger-oriented models are marketed as the Ford Tourneo Connect with side windows and rear seats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle conversion</span> Process of converting a vehicle to use electric propulsion

In automobile engineering, electric vehicle conversion is the replacement of a car's combustion engine and connected components with an electric motor and batteries, to create a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solectria Force</span> Motor vehicle

The Solectria Force is a Geo Metro, professionally converted from a new, motorless chassis by Solectria Corporation of Wilmington, Massachusetts, starting in 1991, becoming a battery electric vehicle. Solectria subsequently was acquired by Azure Dynamics Corporation in 2004, it is no longer in production. Approximately 400 vehicles were converted in total.

Hybrid vehicle drivetrains transmit power to the driving wheels for hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle has multiple forms of motive power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid electric vehicle</span> Type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance. There is a variety of HEV types and the degree to which each functions as an electric vehicle (EV) also varies. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, although hybrid electric trucks, buses, boats, and aircraft also exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solectria Sunrise</span> Electric Passenger Car by Solectria

The Solectria Sunrise was an innovative electric passenger car, designed to be as efficient as possible to produce long range from available battery technology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ISE Corporation</span> American hybrid electric powertrain system manufacturer

ISE Corporation was a manufacturer and integrator of heavy-duty hybrid electric powertrain systems for transit bus and truck use, based in San Diego and later Poway, California. ISE was founded in 1995 and filed for bankruptcy in 2010, shortly after raising $20 million in its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lohner–Porsche</span> Motor vehicle

Lohner–Porsche is a term encompassing several electric vehicles designed by Ferdinand Porsche and manufactured at Lohner-Werke in the early 1900s. They include the first hybrid electric vehicle and the first commercial hub motor car. The hybrid "Mixed" or "Mixte" racecars are powered by a gasoline engine which drives four electric motors, one in each wheel hub. The battery-powered "Touring" or "Chaise" commercial cars utilize only two front-wheel hub motors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azure Dynamics</span>

Azure Dynamics Corporation was incorporated under the laws of Alberta, Canada, having been spun out of BC Research Inc. Azure was headquartered in Oak Park, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The company's principal business was in the development and integration of its proprietary electric and hybrid electric drive technology, primarily for the light and heavy duty commercial vehicle categories. Azure filed for bankruptcy protection in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battery electric vehicle</span> Type of electric vehicle

A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle, fully electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs) for propulsion. They derive all power from battery packs and thus have no internal combustion engine, fuel cell, or fuel tank. BEVs include – but are not limited to – motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, railcars, watercraft, forklifts, buses, trucks, and cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid</span> Motor vehicle

The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid or Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid was a hydrogen powered hybrid car produced by Mazda. Later models were also called the Mazda Hydrogen RE Plug in Hybrid. The first car was unveiled in 2005, with an improved version shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. Mazda planned for the car to enter production and leased a few cars to end users in 2009 in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enova Systems</span>

Enova Systems was a United States corporation which designed and supplied battery electric vehicle powertrains and components. The company was founded initially as Clover Solar Corporation on July 30, 1976, in Santa Rosa, California, and changed its name to Solar Electric Engineering in June 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drivetrain</span> Group of components that deliver power to the driving wheels

A drivetrain or transmission system, is the group of components that deliver mechanical power from the prime mover to the driven components. In automotive engineering, the drivetrain is the components of a motor vehicle that deliver power to the drive wheels. This excludes the engine or motor that generates the power. In marine applications, the drive shaft will drive a propeller, thruster, or waterjet rather than a drive axle, while the actual engine might be similar to an automotive engine. Other machinery, equipment and vehicles may also use a drivetrain to deliver power from the engine(s) to the driven components.

An electromod is a vehicle that has been restored and modified by converting its drivetrain to operate as an electric vehicle (EV). The term is a portmanteau of electrification and restomod, itself a portmanteau of restoration and modification, a process which traditionally has been associated with classic cars. Most electromods are one-off custom vehicles performed by specialty repair shops and hobbyists, but starting in the late 2010s, automobile manufacturers have been building their own electromods, sometimes with the assistance of specialty shops, to publicize their shift to battery electric powertrains and to build interest in crate engine EV drivetrain products.

References

  1. ↑ Dunn, Peter (March 1, 2022). "How a Vision for a Solar Car Sparked a Career—and MIT's Solar Electric Vehicle Team". MIT Alumni. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  2. ↑ "vehicle development and company milestones". Solectria Corporation. Archived from the original on June 14, 2004.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Sherman, Joe (1998). Charging Ahead . Oxford University Press. ISBN   0-19-509479-4.
  4. ↑ "Solectria shifts focus to components" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. May 24, 2001. Archived from the original on July 12, 2001.
  5. ↑ Shepard, Jeff (December 20, 2004). "Azure Dynamics Announces Acquisition of Solectria". EE Power. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "About Us". Yaskawa Solectria Solar. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  7. ↑ "Electric Vehicle Components" (PDF). Solectria Corporation. 1994. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Solectria CitiVan". Solectria Corporation. Archived from the original on February 9, 1998.
  9. ↑ Edgar, Julian (16 January 2001). "The Solectria DW Electric Car". AutoSpeed. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  10. 1 2 McCosh, Dan, ed. (September 1990). "Automotive Newsfront: All-weather racers". Popular Science. Vol. 238, no. 3. Times Mirror Magazines. p. 30. ISSN   0161-7370 . Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  11. 1 2 Fischetti, Mark (October 1991). McCosh, Dan (ed.). "Automotive Newsfront: Electric-car start-ups". Popular Science. Vol. 239, no. 4. Times Mirror Magazines. p. 41. ISSN   0161-7370 . Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  12. ↑ "Solectria Announces Agreement with General Motors" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. December 4, 1998. Archived from the original on June 22, 2000.
  13. ↑ "Appendix A: Solectria Corporate Overview". Electric Vehicles and Advanced Battery R&D: Hearing before the subcommittee on energy of the committee on science, space, and technology (Report). U.S. House of Representatives. June 30, 1994. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  14. ↑ "Solectria EVs Pass Million-Mile Mark" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. June 26, 1995. Archived from the original on December 15, 1996.
  15. ↑ "Solectria Electric Vehicles". Solectria Corporation. Archived from the original on February 9, 1998.
  16. ↑ "Solectria Debuts Nickel-Metal Hydride Force Sedan" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. August 7, 1995. Archived from the original on December 15, 1996.
  17. ↑ "Solectria Enters Asian Market!" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. January 29, 1996. Archived from the original on December 15, 1996.
  18. ↑ McCoig, Megan (March 14, 2022). "Electric Dreams: A Closer Look At The Solectria Sunrise". HotCars. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  19. ↑ "Solectria Introduces 'Flash' Pickup Truck" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. July 10, 1998. Archived from the original on March 6, 2000.
  20. 1 2 Guérette, Claude; Souligny, Michel (February 2000). Canada Post Solectria-Grumman LLV Electric Postal Delivery Truck: Comparative Performance Evaluation (PDF) (Report). Transport Canada. TP 13528E. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Solectria Powered Electric Buses Score in Sunshine State" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. January 8, 1999. Archived from the original on June 6, 2000.
  22. ↑ "Solectria Wins Contract for 45 Hybrid-Electric Bus Drive Systems" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. October 8, 1999. Archived from the original on January 29, 2000.
  23. ↑ Shepard, Jeff (September 28, 2003). "Advanced Vehicle Systems Closes Its Doors". EE Power. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  24. ↑ "Solectria Motors Drive New Hybrid Transit Bus" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. April 7, 1999. Archived from the original on March 7, 2000.
  25. ↑ "Solectria Electric Vehicle Components Power Skating Rink Ice Machine" (Press release). Solectria Corporation. June 2, 1999. Archived from the original on January 16, 2000.
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