DuraCar Introduces New EV Derived from ITS InnoVan at Paris Show
01 October 2008
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| The QUICC! Diva. Click to enlarge. |
DuraCar, a Dutch automobile manufacturer, is introducing its QUICC! brand and the prototype of a new electric vehicle at the Mondial de L’Automobile opening in Paris this week. The QUICC! DiVa is fully battery-powered distribution van (DiVa), and the body and chassis of the vehicle are entirely made of plastic.
DuraCar Holding BV is young Dutch automobile company, based in Heerlen and focused on sustainable solutions for mobility. The company acquired its core intellectual property and first prototype—the InnoVan—in 2007 from Innovative Transportation Systems AG (ITS).
ITS, originally known as Unique Mobility Europa GmbH, was a joint venture founded in 1999 between Energy Conversion Devices (ECD), EV Global (a company started by former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca) and Unique Mobility (UQM). ITS developed the InnoVan using a UQM motor and Ovonic NiMH batteries.
The electric DiVa is powered by either a 23 kWh GAIA lithium-ion iron phosphate battery pack or a new bi-polar lead acid battery pack from Centurion. DuraCar says that it is considering a methanol fuel cell technology as well.
The DiVa uses a 15 kW (50 kW peak) electric motor from Siemens that develops 65 Nm (123 Nm peak) torque. Top speed of the Diva is 120 kph (75 mph), and it has a range of 150 km (83 miles). The DiVa consumes 1 kWh/7 km (230 Wh/mile).
DuraCar has already placed units of the DiVa with a Dutch council, to be made public at the unveiling on 2 October. DuraCar is targeting mass production for 2010.
I recall about 10 years ago that Chrysler found all-plastic bodies and chassis to be much cheaper than steel, yet fairly durable and light-weight. Somehow that research got buried by urgent business issues.
But I guess Iaccoca remembered.
Electric drives are getting a lot of publicity for some high-performance cars. But in China, electric bicycles are really taking off - because most people there cannot afford gasoline.
And the next step up from electric bicycles looks to be small plastic electric cars.
Posted by: jjaaddee | 01 October 2008 at 09:38 AM
Two seaters are not practical and will not sell in large numbers. The Insight failed because it was a two seater. Honda learned and the new Insight for next year will be a 5 door with a back seat.
Posted by: Joseph | 01 October 2008 at 09:49 AM
As a delivery van, this shows promise, though I would not be surprised to see it catch on with the public as well.
The Honda Insight was a limited production run model, and if still in production, would be selling out as fast as they became available.
From J.D. Power on the 2006 Insight;
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/reviews/review.aspx?ID=456
"Due to its low production numbers and strong popularity, the Insight is expected to retain an outstanding resale value, holding 65 percent of its original value at 24 months and 51 percent at 48 months."
Posted by: Will S | 01 October 2008 at 11:00 AM
This is intended as a cargo van. That said, my wife and I have had a VW Golf for 10 years and used its back seats maybe once a year in all that time. The rest of the time they are flat on the floor, and we have ourselves a nice tiny cargo van much like the one in the picture above. Holds almost as much as an SUV. Not everyone has kids, and those of us that live in the city would find this car *more* practical than a 5 seater. It's true that people currently like to buy more than they need, but gas prices might change that. Hopefully there's enough room in the auto market for inexpensive niche cars.
Posted by: Jeff R | 01 October 2008 at 11:12 AM
So far I cannot find the selling price of this little truck.
If it can be price competitive, then it will be a very useful addition to our transportation choices.
Posted by: John Taylor | 01 October 2008 at 11:27 AM
People will say "oh that is cute, an electric car, about $10k right?", then when they hear that it is $30k they will walk away in silence.
Posted by: sjc | 01 October 2008 at 11:33 AM
But then tell them how much they would spend in gas to drive 200,000 miles and they don't believe it's double the price of the pickup truck they just bought...
Posted by: rob | 01 October 2008 at 11:52 AM
These little EV runabouts are good for people with paper routes and very short neighborhood errands. They do not seem to excite the public as primary transport. And of course there is the always thorny issue of safety in these small buggies.
Posted by: j infestr | 01 October 2008 at 01:47 PM
Hmmm, cute, right size for my work, but not enough range. I'm a courier/light delivery driver, and 200 miles a day is common for me. Any chance someone might build a fuel efficient delivery vehicle for me?
Posted by: Javarod | 01 October 2008 at 03:01 PM
Javarod,
To state the obvious, you might want to consider purchasig two and alternating while the other charges, or just purchasing one and using your older transport for the remainder of the day when the first runs dry.
Posted by: NooGums | 01 October 2008 at 05:59 PM
I'm sorry but that car looks g a y.
Posted by: ejj | 01 October 2008 at 06:36 PM
> These little EV runabouts are good for people with paper routes and very short neighborhood errands.
"These"? Haven't been any of these out before. And 83 miles is only good enough for 92% of the commuting population.
> They do not seem to excite the public as primary transport.
Err, Haven't been any of these OUT BEFORE.
> And of course there is the always thorny issue of safety in these small buggies.
With pickups, SUVs, and minivans hitting the skids, your comment is quickly becoming out of date. Besides, owners of Civics, Fits, Corollas, etc don't seem to mind.
Posted by: | 01 October 2008 at 07:09 PM
Let's say a small van costs $20k and costs $20K for gasoline for 5 years. The electric van costs $30k and costs $5k for electricity for 5 years. This looks like a winner, until you take range into consideration. Then you have a van with LESS utility for about the same money. A non-starter with most people and businesses.
Posted by: sjc | 01 October 2008 at 09:54 PM
I would buy that EV even for 30k , that car will be priceless when gas is $8 to $10 a gallon.
Posted by: | 02 October 2008 at 06:26 AM
"I would buy that EV even for 30k , that car will be priceless when gas is $8 to $10 a gallon."
Or nearly unavailable, as it has been in the southeastern US for the past few weeks...
Posted by: rob | 02 October 2008 at 07:20 PM
rob: Amen.
what continues here in asheville is constant lack of gas.
If a station gets gas, it's only a matter of before they run dry.
This is the future. Give me any kind of EV.
Posted by: danm | 03 October 2008 at 06:49 AM
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS PEOPLE IS TALKING ABOUT, TODAY ANY TOYOTA NISSAN OR HONDA COST ABOUT 30K AND IS GASOLINE WHY NOT BUY AND ELECTRIC CAR WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY GAS ANY MORE AND HELP EARTH.
THANK YOU
Posted by: Jose Pimentel | 14 October 2008 at 04:48 PM
I drove an electric; Karman Ghia from 1973 to 1982, a VW rabbit from 1993 to 2008, a GMC pickup from 2008 till the body wears out. All converted in my back yard under a SHADE TREE.
Posted by: BILL | 25 October 2008 at 11:38 AM