Liberty Electric Cars Partner Of Epsilon Small EV Project
California-based
Green Automotive Company’s Liberty Electric Cars subsidiary has been
chosen by the European Union to be a major partner in the epsilon
innovation program.
The project’s ultimate goal will be to successfully develop a small
electric passenger vehicle that optimizes safety, performance and
comfort features while integrating all the benefits of a lightweight
unique body construction.
Green Automotive said the project will be co-funded by the 7th Framework for Research and Technological Development, which is the EU’s main arm for financially supporting essential research throughout the continent.
“We are truly honored to be selected by the European Union as a
partner in the epsilon program,” said Ian Hobday, CEO of Green
Automotive. “It is extremely rewarding to be recognized for our
pioneering work with electric vehicles and we welcome the opportunity to
help further accelerate the trend away from fossil fuels.”
Liberty Electric Cars
explained it will advise on the best materials to be used throughout the
vehicle body construction and the precise manufacturing methods that
will need to be employed, while directly contributing to the overall
market research and resulting vehicle design specifications.
In addition to balancing a low vehicle weight (less than 600
kilograms / 1323 pounds) with performance and comfort considerations, an
ultimate goal will be to achieve an excellent vehicle safety rating for
both occupants and pedestrians by receiving at least a 4-star Euro NCAP
rating (equivalent to the American NCAP rating).
The epsilon project also aims to successfully reach a new level of
energy efficiency that can result in a pure electric driving range of at
least 150 kilometers (93 miles) in a realistic urban driving
environment, with an acceleration time of 0-60 mph in less than 10
seconds.