Ford has partnered with German specialist Schaeffler to build the Fiesta eWheelDrive EV with electric motors in the rear wheel hubs as a research vehicle.
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The Ford Fiesta eWheelDrive – a driveable research vehicle built by Ford and German specialists Schaeffler – may be a regular supermini in size, but it points towards a potential future EV which is much more compact and very manoeuvrable.
Ford has taken a regular Fiesta and dumped its powertrain, replacing it with a battery bank where the engine would be and fitted a pair of in-hub electric motors on the rear wheels. But the plan is to build new cars with the batteries under the floor which frees up the space under the bonnet which can then be all but removed to create a very compact urban car that still has space for four.
Not only that, but putting the motors in the wheel hubs opens up the possibility of a car that could spin its wheels sideways and power you in to a parallel parking space much smaller than you could normally squeeze in to.
Pim van der Jagt, Ford’s director of engineering and research in Europe, said:
This is an exciting project to work on with Schaeffler because it potentially opens new options for the development of zero emission vehicles with very efficient packaging and exceptional manoeuvrability.
Looking forward, we have the opportunity to scope out the vehicle’s capabilities and how we might overcome some of the challenges presented by implementing the technology.
Schaeffler instigated the development of the eWheeDrive Fiesta, but Ford where keen to be involved as it could help produce much smaller city cars in the future, a future which ‘experts’ claim will see twice as many people living in congested cities by 2050 with all the transport and pollution problems that will bring.
The next step is for Ford to team up with Schaeffler, Continental, RWTH Aachen and the University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg, in the appallingly named MEHREN (Multimotor Electric Vehicle with Highest Room and Energy Efficiency) project to develop a pair of new EVs by 2015 with an increase in the integration of electric motors.
Toys, local delivery vehicles and small commuter cars are where EVs should be at. It’s good to see car makers finally taking the pragmatic route.
Michael Scofield says
I dont think this innovation is going to affect much on people’s driving habit, those who use to drive, they would drive without such innovation; those who dont drive, would not drive even with this innovation. People who dont prefer driving have their own reasons such as high price, laziness and parking space etc. With the 90 degree steering lock feature of this new hub drive, it sure helps with parking, utilizing spaces for parking, but that doesnt mean parking cost is going down, right? Schaeffler and Ford is solving city conjesting problems here, while the number of cars driving into the city should be controlled by the government.
Beverley Gardner says
Sounds like you are living in the dark ages Michael. I bet you have a mobile phone and a computer – this is technology. Schaeffler and Ford are not going to solve inner-city traffic problems with this concept, but it is innovative and is the beginning of the road to producing the perfect EV. Incidentally, London already has a congestion charge imposed by the government which has made absolutely no differnce except to line the government coffers more. I personally can’t wait to be able to sideways park next time I drive into London or Paris, Bring it on I say.
Michael Scofield says
Schaeffler and Ford are indeed not aiming at solving any congestion problems, that is just a sub-benefit from the ewheel, no one can denial the fact with smaller cars on the road, the more space there is. You mentioned in your comment “once this innovation becomes available, more people will start driving in to city centres rather than taking a taxi, subway or bus” previously is what I am referring to, there are a lot of factors to change ones behavior, a lot of cons are restricting people driving into the city centre rather than just the benefits from the ewheel. Does this mean people wont drive into the city without the ewheel? No. Does this mean people will drive into city more often with the ewheel? No either. Ford and Schaeffler are making an incredible car here, it is certain that there maybe a wave of car renewal when the EV is out, but will it change the habit of people? Thats very questionable.
Beverley Gardner says
Playing ‘ devil’s advocate ‘ here – ok – great for taxis but also great for people like me who constantly have to drive in inner- cities. Schaeffler’s genius comes to the fore again but I have a feeling that once this innovation becomes available, more people will start driving in to city centres rather than taking a taxi, subway or bus. However, as far as I am concerned – bring it on – I will be able to get everything I need into a much smaller vehicle and be able to squeeze into a tight parking spot. Win-win and well done Schaeffler I say.
Hardeep says
This innovation could make electric cars a practical proposition in cities. Imagine a taxi with the ability to crab sideways and a third shorter than the current taxis and with no tailpipe emissions. That alone would make cities a much nicer place to be and could be forced in by legislation.