Current Status of Milner ElectriCar

Last Updated: August 08, 2008

The exterior is completed and the seats and upholstery have been installed. Work continues on the engine and drive train. Several iterations of motors, transmissions, clutches and axles have been created and tested, and additional work needs to be done to increase the amount of electrical power that gets delivered to the wheels. Once this work is completed we will work on the selection of next generation batteries. Aerodynamic testing has been completed which determined the drag coefficient and coefficient of rolling resistance. A coefficient of aerodynamic drag of .209 was obtained, which combined with the 1.5 meters square cross sectional area provides a CdA of .313, and required 5 HP to overcome aerodynamic drag at 60 MPH. The rolling resistance of .022 is about four times our goal, resulting in another 5 HP needed at 60 MPH, and will require some additional optimization. 

Work is progressing on changes to the ElectriCar. These include shortening the fuselage vehicle length from 200" to 180", increasing the fuselage size at the rear seat area by 3" in height and 2" in width, narrowing the vehicle from 72" to 66" and moving the doors forward.