Svein Medhus' Ford Express Electric Home Page

The first car to be converted in Norway. Street legal as of 17. February 1997.

Ford Express Electric

Make/Model	Ford Express 1986 (similar to Ecostar)
Motor:	Advanced DC 9" motor dual shaft 28,5 hp continuos / 100 hp peak
Motor coupling:	Clutchless
Transmission:	5 speed manual with Mobil ATF SHC fully synthetic oil
Controller:	Curtis 1231C, 144 volt /500amps, 1,5/15 kHz
Batteries	12 Optima Yellow Top 12 volt, semi traction batteries
Instruments:	Ammeter, voltmeter and aux. (12 volt) voltmeter
DC/DC converter	Vicor VI-L52-EU , 100-200 volt input, 14.5 volt / 13.3 amp output
Cabin heating:	1500W solid-state heater running off the 144 volt..
Battery heating:	All batteries in a wooden box in the cargo area. 820W heater with high speed fan. Temperature adjusted to 20 degrees Celsius during winter season.
Charging:	One individual charger for each battery. 6 amps constant current until 14,7 volt. 14,7 volt until current drops under 0.7 amps. Finally, 13.7 volt float until unplugging charger. Temperature compensated. Based on Unitrode UC3906 part.
Range:	Need to travel a total of only 17 km (10 miles) each day to and from work. Have traveled 37km (23 miles) which resulted in a 65% DOD.
Weight before conversion:	970 kg (was down to 750 kg after removing ICE components) (540 kg in front 430 kg rear).
Weight after conversion:	1130 kg (550 kg in front, 580 kg rear).
Acceleration:	0 - 50 km/h (0-31 mph) 2^nd gear: 5 seconds.