Plastic Wheels Save Weight for the Smart EV

[ERG4ALL]

Maybe we'll see these wheels beefed up to support a LEAF. They save a significant amount of weight and claim to increase range by as much as 20%. Interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrWo5Z8s8WM

 

[Spies]

The plastic wheels makes me wonder what ever happened to the Tweel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[TomT]

Sorry, but I see no way that ANY wheel could, alone, increase range by 20 percent.

Maybe we'll see these wheels beefed up to support a LEAF. They save a significant amount of weight and claim to increase range by as much as 20%. Interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrWo5Z8s8WM

 

[ERG4ALL]

Sorry, brain fade, I agree that 20% seems outrageous even given the fact that 30% less weight should offer a great deal less rotational inertia, so I reviewed the piece again and found that they don't claim a 20% advantage. Sorry.

 

[Herm]

20% range increase would be huge, worth about $2000 savings in batteries and associated weight. Perhaps they meant a 20% increase vs cheap steel rims?. Aluminum brake rotors would be a big savings as well.

 

[LEAFfan]

Speaking of the Smart EV (only 250 available for lease/can't buy at all), I was allowed to drive it during the Plug-in America Day. It has similar torque as the LEAF, but the steering is tighter/harder, regen is ONLY with the brakes which is 10kW, and it has no QC port. According to the owner, it is very safe because it has a 'Nascar'-like cabin. They said they get about the same range as the LEAF...100 miles...depending on the way they drive it.

 

[aqn]

Maybe we'll see these wheels beefed up to support a LEAF. They save a significant amount of weight and claim to increase range by as much as 20%. Interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrWo5Z8s8WM

Sorry, but I see no way that ANY wheel could, alone, increase range by 20 percent.

I'd say the jury is still out. If it's possible for 18" wheels that weighs the same as the OEM wheels to reduce range by 20-25%...

 

[Herm]

I'd say the jury is still out. If it's possible for 18" wheels that weighs the same as the OEM wheels to reduce range by 20-25%...

Interesting, perhaps higher rotational inertia due to the larger diameter?.. but they sure look nice. Nader might be a non-hypermiler driver.

 

[TomT]

I doubt it is the wheels as much as it is the higher rolling resistance and greater frontal drag of the larger tires.

I'd say the jury is still out. If it's possible for 18" wheels that weighs the same as the OEM wheels to reduce range by 20-25%...

 

[davewill]

Interesting, perhaps higher rotational inertia due to the larger diameter?.. but they sure look nice. Nader might be a non-hypermiler driver.

Or he may simply do a lot of stop and go, or simply city type driving where the wheels have to be started and stopped a lot.