United States Department of Transportation
i
Integrated photovoltaics in nickel cadmium battery electric vehicles.
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2008-12-01
[PDF-1.68 MB]
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Abstract:This research report presents Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (ConnDOT’s)
evaluation of preproduction prototype nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery-powered electric
vehicles (BEVs) as an alternative-fuel (alt-fuel) option for local trips averaging less than
70 miles. If feasible as an alt-fuel vehicle, the BEV could be used to help lower overall
energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
This report was intended to highlight the findings of the study as well as illustrate some
of the problems associated with current battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology.
ConnDOT partnered with The Rideshare Company of Greater Hartford (Rideshare) to
retrofit three subcompact BEVs with nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries to conduct the two-phase
study. The vehicles used were 1995 General Motors Geo Metro(s) retrofitted by the Solectria
Corporation. For Phase 2, thin-film photovoltaic laminates were integrated in the NiCd BEVs
in order to provide power to offset the small power losses experienced while parked and
unplugged.
The study accumulated data from more than 550 individual trips, spanning a distance
of nearly 35,000 miles over an eight year period. While researchers were able to attain the
70 mile range in Phase 1, they were unable to replicate the results in Phase 2, as the
nominal range of the retrofitted vehicles was approximately 57 miles.
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