We liked what we saw once we first set eyes upon Trexa’s EV platform , however the company decided to ditch the skateboard façade for a slimmer, cylindrical form factor. After stripping away that somewhat chunky exterior, Trexa used a torque tube (where the heart tube is the most important load-bearing structure for the suspension and drivetrain) to create an egalitarian EV platform suitable for any road going application. The Entertube chassis’s both flexible (2WD or 4WD) and scalable — from a nine-inch diameter tube with seven kWh of juice in an eight-foot wheelbase to an 18-inch diameter tunnel with an incredible 90kWh power pack crammed in a 180-inch wheelbase. That suggests there’s an EV for for each occasion, from small cars to semi-trucks and anything in between. What you notice is a production prototype, however it’s being commercialized at this time, so it won’t be too long until Enertube-powered EVs are ready for the open road. Until then, you’ll must accept the plethora of pics below and press release after the break.
announced today the filing of a U.S. patent application for its Enertube™ tubular energy
storage technology in reference to the revealing of the TREXA® production
prototype. The primary TREXA vehicle platforms would be shipped to customers for evaluation
in May.
While the TREXA concept vehicle platform introduced early last year featured an iconic “skateboard” form, the production platform is pure function. Driving this design is the Enertube, that’s an energy storage system that doubles because the main load-bearing structure for various vehicles. This proven concept of using a so-called “torque tube” or “backbone” chassis dates to the 1960ʼs. Differentiating the TREXA platform are interchangeable parts on all four suspension corners, which keeps parts count low, makes platform integration fast, and makes maintenance easy for end-users. All of the major mechanical subsystems, including the transaxle, are manufactured by TREXA inside the USA with support from Tier 1 automotive suppliers.
Vehicle applications mount to the TREXA vehicle platform with the aid of several hard points located at the front and rear suspension subframes. The subframes are attached to the Enertube. A pushrod suspension and 2WD or dual-motor 4WD options enables broad adjustability for both off and on-road applications. After a vehicle application is mated to
these subframes, the Enertube is ready to be removed for maintenance or future upgrade of the modular battery. The present generation Enertube utilizes thermally stable lithium iron phosphate cells and a proprietary third-generation BMS (battery management system), which were extensively tested and proven because the TREXA engineering team developed EDrive, the primary commercially demonstrated li-ion PHEV, in 2006.
Central to the TREXA patent application is scalability of the battery system. The nine inch diameter Enertube utilized at the 96″ wheelbase prototype contains 7 kWh of energy storage capacity, suitable as a platform for a neighborhood use plug-in vehicle or small series PHEV. However, small increases in tube diameter dramatically increase energy storage capacity. As an example, a rise in diameter from nine inches to 12 yields a twofold increase in energy capacity. TREXA plans to give Enertube-based platforms in various diameters and lengths, representing energy storage capacities to over 100 kWh. Consequently, TREXA platforms may be the basis for electric drive vehicles starting from golf carts to Class 8 trucks.
TREXA has formed an alliance with a wide publicly-traded specialty vehicle manufacturer to commercialize the platform and Enertube technology. TREXA is usually exploring electric racing in reference to an immense auto racing league. Similarly, the corporate is operating with the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute to develop advanced functionality platforms for presidency and agricultural applications. The corporate plans to make specific announcements about its developer and supplier relationships within the coming months.
“TREXA is both a learning and a teaching company,” said CEO Seth Seaberg. “We’ve spent a good deal of time long ago few years understanding what our developers need in an effort to educate them about, and supply them with, the precise and scalable battery technology. The Enertube is the culmination of that considerable effort.”
Although initially it may work with established vehicle manufacturers and automotive R&D divisions, TREXA does have future plans to provide systems to independent, kit and custom car builders. “The DIY market has incredible potential, and there’s no question that the re-emergence of electrical drive is as a result of grassroots efforts,” said Seaberg. “So we’re exploring how and once we might offer platforms, development guidelines, and support to most people.”
TREXA is funded partially by Crunch Energy LLC, a company devoted to developing innovative new technologies that help the realm use less energy. TREXA expects to shut its next round of funding this summer.
For additional information, visit the companyʼs site, www.trexa.com email info@trexa.com.
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