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SKODA is engaged in intensive tests of its
electric vehicle fleet based on ten ŠKODA Octavia Green E Line
introduced recently. The current phase is all about new findings in
operations under everyday conditions. ŠKODA has begun operating one of
the Green E Line cars at Prague airport.
Everyday operating data will be
especially important for fine-tuning the electric cars. These are to be
delivered to selected partners in late March 2012 as a next step. “We
are currently putting our fleet through its paces, because what we will
want to be handing over to drivers is perfectly tuned cars. And we are
not treating test cars any differently than we would series production
ones,” says Petr Kristl, head of electromobility/electric traction
development at ŠKODA AUTO. “Before we deliver the cars to our partners a
few weeks from now, we want to make sure that everyday operation of our
Octavia Green E Lines is a breeze. One of the challenges, for instance,
is commuting to work regularly or non-uniform urban driving,” he adds.
The ten Octavia Green E Lines making up
the test fleet are to provide ŠKODA with important customer-relevant
insight regarding future development of electric traction all the way to
series production readiness. This might involve solutions for usage or
designing new functions, positioning the charging socket or the issue of
how electric cars, being quiet by design, might make themselves heard in
traffic.
Testing involves three phases: the
first and the second, which is currently ongoing, mainly comprises
internal testing at ŠKODA Auto such as trials of the online diagnosis
communications system or supporting customer operation, which is a
complex matter. In the third phase, set to begin in late March 2012,
e-vehicles will be made available to external partners such as
utilities, educational institutions or government agencies.
Green E Line electric
cars are based on the ŠKODA Octavia Combi, which is ideally suited to be
fitted with the batteries, electronic controllers and the electric motor
thanks to its modular design. ‘Green E Liner’ engines put out a maximum
power of 85 kW with the benefit of their maximum torque of 270 Nm being
available immediately, that is to say from standstill. Accelerating an
Octavia Green E Line from 0 to 100 kph, will take only 12 seconds, the
speed in these electric cars is 135 kph. A range of 150 kilometers means
ŠKODA’s test fleet can meet the needs of most European commuters.
ŠKODA’s activities in electric mobility
are an important element of this Czech carmakers’ drive and fuel
strategy. Mid-term, ŠKODA expects cars to run on a mix of different
traction options. This also includes ongoing optimisation of
high-efficiency TDI and TSI engines and their transmissions. |
