Desert Fuel's is creating a vehicle that will be a hybrid of electric and diesel/biodiesel fuel sources. The electric charge will be distributed using lithium batteries. The main drive motor will be electric and the vehicle will have the ability to plug into standard AC wall outlets, tapping into worldwide power grids. A modified diesel engine will provide additional torque, charging for long distances, and smooth highway driving. Solar energy will be used to recharge the vehicle for short commutes, reducing the strain on the power grid and increasing the fuel economy of the vehicle. A generator will assist in long distance driving and will operate through the use of diesel/biodiesel to generate electricity. Since fuel economy is of the utmost importance, the vehicle will recapture lost energy through regenerative braking, an exhaust fed turbo generator, linear motion recapture, and thermal recapture. In addition, the vehicle will utilize LED lighting both internally and externally, including headlights, tail lights, back lighting, and various displays.
The team is starting with two test vehicles: Prototype 1 and Prototype 2.
Updates (December 17, 2008):
Coming Soon:
- Solar Controller Module - Prototype 1, 2, 3, 4
- LED Headlight Module - Prototype 2
- Road Testing Low Rolling Resistance Tires
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Desert Fuel's Goals:
- Produce a cost effective vehicle that reduces the daily impact of driving on the environment and can be purchased by a large portion of the population
- Refine and highlight emerging technologies currently unused in the automotive industry
- Develop highly efficient new technologies
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