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[protomech]

Terry is attempting another EV record crossing of the US, this time with his friend Chelsea riding pillion:
http://offthegridlive.com/featured/world-record-setter/

According to Ted Dillard's excellent summary, Terry has added two ZF3 modules to his ZF9 bike (ZF15) and is borrowing a third ZF3 module from Zero (ZF18).

With 5 ZF3 modules (ZF15) he has 13.3 kWh onboard and a highway range of approximately 130 miles.

With 6 ZF3 modules (ZF18) he has 16 kWh onboard and a highway range of approximately 160 miles.

He has also posted a partial copy of his itinerary:
http://offthegridlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/terry-hershner_chelsea-liggatt_itinerary.pdf

Of the 20 listed stops, only 4 are more than 130 miles apart. Even these longer hops could be made on his ZF15 pack if Terry is not traveling at 70 mph.

However, bringing the extra ZF3 module increases the total pack charge acceptance rate, allowing him to charge at faster speeds, which is the key along with the aero shell for quick touring.


How fast can Terry travel?

At 50 mph, suppose his energy consumption is 80 Wh/mile. 100 miles takes him 2 hours. Charging 100 miles of range (8 kWh) takes approximately 0.44 hours @ 18 kW. Total time for 100 miles is 2.44 hours or 41.0 mph.

At 70 mph, suppose his energy consumption is 100 Wh/mile. 100 miles takes him 1.43 hours. Charging 100 miles of range (10 kWh) takes approximately 0.55 hours @ 18 kW. Total time for 100 miles is 1.98 hours or 50.5 mph.

At 85 mph, suppose his energy consumption is 120 Wh/mile. 100 miles takes him 1.18 hours. Charging 100 miles of range (12 kWh) takes approximately 0.67 hours @ 18 kW. Total time for 100 miles is 1.85 hours or 54.1 mph.


What about versus a Tesla Model S?

On the BC2BC road rally, Terry came in 2nd behind a Tesla Model S after several unexpected delays. Under ideal conditions, can his Zero tour faster than a Model S?

At 50 mph, a tesla Model S consumes approximately 280 Wh/mile. 100 miles takes a S 2.0 hours. Charging 100 miles of range (28 kWh) takes approximately 0.23 hours @ 120 kW. Total time for 100 miles is 2.23 hours or 44.8 mph.

At 70 mph, a Tesla Model S consumes approximately 350 Wh/mile. 100 miles takes a S 1.43 hours. Charging 100 miles of range (35 kWh) takes approximately 0.29 hours @ 120 kW. Total time for 100 miles is 1.72 hours or 58.1 mph.

At 85 mph, a Tesla Model S should consume perhaps 420 Wh/mile. 100 miles takes a S 1.18 hours. Charging 100 miles of range (42 kWh) takes approximately 0.35 hours @ 120 kW. Total time for 100 miles is 1.53 hours or 65.4 mph.

So no. Despite the excellent aero shell - the Model S uses approximately 3.5x the power per mile - and Terry's high-powered onboard AC chargers, the Model S simply charges much faster (6.7x) than the Zero when it is able to use offboard chargers.

However, Tesla's Supercharger network is not yet available for a cross-country trip. Suppose both vehicles are AC charging at their fastest rates, and the Tesla is equipped with a 20 kW twincharger setup. When both vehicles are limited to approximately the same charge rates, then Terry's hugely more efficient aero shell carries the day.

Tesla claimed to have a cross-country route connected with Superchargers by Winter 2013. When Tesla completes this route then they will hold the cross-country record for some time.

So ride hard Terry!

A bit of irony: from the consumer point of view, Terry's bike charges from Nikola Tesla's AC supply, there a Model S charges from a very smart version of Edison's DC supply (which can be supplied by battery-backed solar or by AC grid backhaul).


What about versus gas travel?

When I travel by gas car, I tend to average a bit more than 60 mph, including stops for gas, pee breaks, stretching legs, etc.

When I travel by gas bike, I tend to average a bit less than 60 mph: I travel a bit faster when I'm on the road, but I'll spend more time stretching.

Both Terry's Zero charging on 2x to 3x J1772 and a Telsa Model S charging on Tesla's Supercharger network are as very nearly as fast as I travel by gas vehicle. This is near enough to parity with gas vehicles for most people to accept IMO.

[benswing]

Go, Terry Go!!!

Thanks protomech for the summary!

[BSDThw]

A bit of irony: from the consumer point of view, Terry's bike charges from Nikola Tesla's AC supply, there a Model S charges from a very smart version of Edison's DC supply (which can be supplied by battery-backed solar or by AC grid backhaul).

Man that's bitter fate for Nikola Tesla, he was tricked by Edison and died very poor - at least he don't know this!

[CliC]

Man that's bitter fate for Nikola Tesla, he was tricked by Edison and died very poor - at least he don't know this!

Oh, Tesla would have the last laugh. The guts of the DC-output chargers employ Tesla's insights internally in their PWM circuits. And let's not forget the PMAC motors and controllers in both vehicles. "I can do AC, and mimic your puny DC, too"

[Justin Andrews]

Tesla would probably not be laughing, I suspect he'd be far to busy tearing the motor controller apart to see how you managed speed control on *his* AC motors.   

[teddillard]

WOAH, my login still works over here!   

Thanks for the shout, protomech, and I just wanted to let people know I've been following Terry over on my blog, with a special category: "Where's Terry?"  Here's the linky: http://evmc2.wordpress.com/category/wheres-terry/

He's been feeding me details and stuff and I've been posting it as much as I can.  Yesterday I got a cryptic message from him - "got glympse on?" and saw this happen: http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/terry-taps-the-amps-sets-new-world-record/

He's nearing the half-way mark and making good time.  Barring any unforeseen incidents he's looking strong on setting the record.  This time he's done a lot more prep and has some more experience, too, reducing the chance of pesky mid-desert breakdowns and stuff. 

Looks like some escorts are starting to form, too, as he approaches home.

[NoiseBoy]

The escorts thing got me thinking.  Is motor pacing allowed for the record?   i.e. could somebody in a truck drive in front and provide a draft to increase mileage?

[teddillard]

I'm sure he'd love some ride-along company, especially as he gets closer to home.  He's going to be exhausted, and a cheering crowd would go a long way to keep him rolling.  Even Terry has limits to what his adrenaline can do. 

As far as drafting goes, though he responded "I don't know. Kinda sounds like cheating to me." 

I don't think there are "rules" as such, but I'd hate to see any well-intentioned efforts cast any doubts on his trip. 

[BSDThw]

I think his fairing is so good he don't need it - maybe the wind turbulence behind a truck wouldn't be a advantage?
Would be interesting what Terry has experienced with the Vetter Streamliner

[protomech]

For a world record attempt and since he can charge very quickly, his best times will probably be traveling as fast he can get away without being arrested. Probably few large trucks would be traveling at the speed he needs to travel at anyways.

The only time drafting would be beneficial is if he needed to squeeze some extra range to make a very long hop.

Of course, if you're stuck in traffic, might as well decrease the next charge time..

[grindz145]

Mike, Your posts are always so awesome and succinct. I love it! It was awesome to see the breakdown.

Where did you get the data from?

[protomech]

Rectal extraction

[teddillard]

Did someone mention breakdown?  Texas gets it's pound of flesh.   

Terry had an Anderson go all melty in Austin while charging:   
http://evmc2.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/texas-bites-terry/

[protomech]

Texas, man.

[grindz145]

The numbers seem reasonable, but I wish Terry would share hard data with respect to efficiency! I would love to know.

I feel like nearly all of us EV hackers have had the distinct pleasure of burning up an Anderson. Hopefully he can just find the monster crimp tool for those big guys. They are luckily fairly common.