Hybrid Electric Vehicle Project
Rashid, Adam; McAdams, Shawn
The Swarthmore College Gamet One Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) was
constructed during the 1996-97 academic year from a stock 1996 Beretta. The HEV is
powered by a electric motor with energy being supplied by a system of batteries. The
batteries are also recharged by an internal combustion engine also located within the
vehicle.
The purpose of the project was to upgrade and redesign components of the car to
make the car more efficient and reliable and to compete in the 1999 Tour De Sol race.
The main concern was that the transmission had failed after the 1998 race and had to be
fixed. A new transmission was acquired and mounted in the vehicle despite many
problems.
Other areas of the HEV were also modified. The ICE exhaust pipes were coated
with a heat resistant material to reduce the temperature in the trunk. Research was
performed to acquire a better braking system and a more efficient battery system.
However the numerous problems encountered with installing the new transmission
reduced the amount of effort that could be allotted to these other areas of improvement.
Although the HEV will not make it to the 1999 Tour De Sol race, the transmission
complications will be solved and future teams will have a reliable, functional vehicle to
work with so that efforts can be focused entirely on improving the HEV's efficiency.
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