SSC Ultimate Aero EV Further Details Revealed

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) is moving closer to the release date of its all-electric supercar, and has released details that support its claim that this vehicle will revolutionize the electric-car market.

Electric sports cars are nothing new, thanks to Tesla and Fisker, but SSC is confident that its new rapid-charge, high-range, liquid-cooled All-Electric Scalable Powertrain (AESP) will have a wide range of applications. "The all-electric SUV or delivery truck is now a reality in the not-so-distant future," according to SSC's press release.

For the more immediate future, we've got the upcoming Ultimate Aero EV. The nuts and bolts will be revealed in the second quarter of 2009, but SSC claims that the Ultimate Aero EV will be capable of stunning performance with a 150 to 200 mile range. The lithium-ion battery pack used with the AESP can be fully recharged in just ten minutes with a standard 110-volt outlet, according to SSC. Free from the overnight charging requirements of current electric cars, this system could make electric power a viable alternative to gasoline engines, if it works as promised.

SSC says that the AESP can be scaled up, from a 200-horsepower version for passenger cars, to 500 horses in light trucks or SUVs and up to 1200hp for heavy trucks and military vehicles. SSC also claims that the AESP is light weight and compact compared to an internal combustion engine, and that the system can be wholesaled to other manufacturers.
The Ultimate Aero EV will tell us if SSC's claims are valid. The company plans to pursue the title of "World's Fastest Electric Vehicle" with it later this year, and the car could be available for public sale by the end of the year. In light of the extremely bold claims SSC is making, we'll reserve judgment for the moment.

Press Release

SSC Announces Green Technologies Revealing Revolutionary Battery and Electric Powertrain Technology

Shelby SuperCars (SSC) released the details today of the revolutionary electric vehicle technology to be unveiled in the second quarter of this year. SSC will reveal its innovative all-electric powertrain in the current Ultimate Aero, the Guinness Certified "Fastest Production Car in the World," to create the Ultimate Aero EV and will reinforce the company as a benchmark in the auto industry. But unlike other auto manufacturers, SSC's new technology will set a new standard in the electric car industry - one of 10 minute recharges, super horsepower and ranges of up to 200 miles per charge.

While other auto manufacturers focus on producing Green technology for specific cars, SSC's focus is on producing Green technologies for a wide range of applications for an even wider range of vehicles. SSC's electric powertrain package, named AESP (All-Electric Scalable Powertrain) is unique due to its scalable horsepower, light weight, compact size, quick recharge time and liquid cooling.

SSC's Nanotechnology Rechargeable Lithium Battery pack is rechargeable in only 10 minutes on a standard 110 outlet and has a 150-200 mile range on a single charge. This means that in a typical 8 hour day, the car using this technology could go 200 miles, charge for 10 minutes (the time it typically takes to fill up a tank of gas), then drive 200 more miles, charge for 10 minutes and continue on. Some other EV technologies necessitate an overnight charge creating a class of "commuter electric cars" and are not practical alternatives to gas combustion automobiles.

The AESP's main feature is its scalability. The all-electric SUV or delivery truck is now a reality in the not-so-distant future. The AESP is scalable from 200 horsepower for economy and midsize cars, to 500 horsepower for light trucks and SUVs, and up to 1200 horsepower for delivery trucks, heavy duty equipment, buses and military vehicles. The revolutionary design proves electric-powered vehicles not only match, but also provide more linear power (electric motors have 100% torque at 0 RPM) and overall performance than internal combustion vehicles.

• All-electric. No gasoline.

• Light weight. Just a fraction of the weight of a standard combustion engine (<200lbs.)

• Extended performance. Internal cooling systems are built into the motors.

• Compact size. 1/18 the space of a standard engine; significant increase in cargo room.

• Scalable horsepower. From 200 horsepower (one motor) to 1200 horsepower (two motors "piggy backed").

• Quick recharges. Only 10 minutes on standard 110 outlet.

The current AESP was designed to meet the manufacturing and quality requirements of major automotive manufacturers, transportation operators and the military. SSC will wholesale the AESP to mass production car companies, governments, and to public, private, and niche businesses. Costs for mass-produced units are $5K-$6K per unit for 1000 to 10,000 units (with further reduction in unit cost for increased production.)

SSC's next milestone will be the pursuit of the "World's Fastest Electric Car" with the Ultimate Aero EV later this year.