The ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered , a T1-class rally car made by Spanish renewable energy company ACCIONA, is the first completely electric vehicle to compete in the Dakar Rally, a race that’s considered one of the most difficult in the world. This year the rally took its contestants through a gruelling 9000 km (5600 mi) trek that traversed Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia.
The 100% EcoPowered is fueled by four removable Li-ion battery packs that hold a total of 140 kWh of energy, more than twice the energy contained in a Tesla Model S battery bank. The batteries power a 220 kW (300 hp) synchronous electric motor that can deliver up to 700 NM of torque and produce vehicle speeds of 150 km/hr (93 mph). Its telemetry and security systems are powered by a high-efficiency 100 watt photovoltaic panel located on the car’s rear spoiler. With a chassis made of chrome moly tubing and a carbon fiber body, the 100% EcoPowered tips the scales at just over 2500 kg (5500 lbs), about 20% heavier than a Tesla Model S. Under race conditions, it has a range of 350 km.
Its fuel economy depends on driving conditions, varying between 20 and 45 kWh per 100 km. Although the average US gasoline price is at a staggeringly low $2.20/gal (at the time of this writing), as soon as OPEC puts a few more of its competitors out of business, we can expect that to go back up to around $3.60/gal, where it had hovered since early 2011. Given that fuel price and average US electric rates, this vehicle gets the cost equivalent of 56 mpg (4 L/100 km) when driven at normal highway speeds.
On January 4, 2015, the ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered completed the first leg of the Dakar Rally, covering 175 km in just under two and a half hours. Unfortunately a failure in the navigation system prevented the car from following the course, disqualifying it from the rest of the race. The ACCIONA team can at least be encouraged by the fact that the powertrain and mechanicals performed flawlessly. I’m guessing we’ll see them back in time for next year’s Dakar Rally, with an upgraded navigation system.
Image and video courtesy of ACCIONA