Rolls-Royce wants to make an electric Phantom

[dpeilow]

A couple of months old, but we may have missed this one: Rolls-Royce wants to make an electric Phantom | Environmental Motoring Issues | CAR Magainze Online

 

[GSP]

I see that our friend JohnnyBimmer in the comment section. He lists his occupation as "internet retailer." Sounds like Kent/Kerry the Bike.

I really like the idea of an Electric Rolls Royce. It makes perfect sense for all of the reasons mentioned. This would be another step toward a viable EV market, and help pay R&D to improve performance and cost.

 

[mpt]

Wired picks up on the story...

An Electric Rolls-Royce Is Just So Right | Autopia | Wired.com

The range will be a decider; it needs to be 1000 mile+ A Rolls is something you're driven down to the south of France in... It'll need to be a range extended EV I imagine, but 200 miles in and suddenly the generator starts... 6,000 rpm wailing away somewhere.

 

[efusco]

Seems like a darn heavy vehicle to make into an EV to me. Cargo room and range will be sacrificed...or maybe some of the classic luxury. Those cushey seats and wood dash and rugged quiet exterior come at a price...weight.

 

[Axel]

Rolls should build it, if only because there’s something so right about a car called the Phantom being utterly silent.

My favorite line from the Wired link. There is something seductive about all that luxury being completely silent. I'm definitely hoping it happens.

 

[dpeilow]

Rolls-Royce Ghost could go hybrid sooner rather than later — Autoblog Green

 

[dpeilow]

Electric Rolls-Royce, In Time For Christmas 2010 | Autopia | Wired.com

 

[dpeilow]

Rolls-Royce to unveil luxury electric limousine which can run on 2p per mile (but it could cost up to £1 million to buy) | Mail Online

Electric Luxury by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

 

[doug]

With such a heavy vehicle, wonder what the energy use per mile will be? Can any of the limeys estimate from 2p/mile (which is probably based on nothing to begin with).

They really shouldn't try to market this on cost of operation, but a quiet ride and instant torque.

 

[Nik]

With such a heavy vehicle, wonder what the energy use per mile will be? Can any of the limeys estimate from 2p/mile (which is probably based on nothing to begin with).

They really shouldn't try to market this on cost of operation, but a quiet ride and instant torque.

Before the days of mandatory MPG ratings and CO2 measurements, Rolls' comment on fuel economy was that if you had to ask then you couldn't afford it.

Night-time electricity rates in the UK can be 3p/KwH, daytime rates are more like 10p, so 2p/mile is between 200 and 670wH.

It should be noted that the Daily Mail's commitment to editorial impartiality and accurate scientific reporting is equivalent to what I believe Fox News is like. Advanced critical analysis skills are not required amongst its readership...

 

[Mitrovic]

Finally! They should build it!

Electric Luxury by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

 

[dpeilow]

Well at least we know what plug they are considering:

From BBC News - Rolls-Royce to show electric car at Geneva motor show

 

[dpeilow]

BBC News - Rolls-Royce launches electric car at Geneva motor show

"It is a market research project," chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos told BBC News.

The experimental car also aims to change customers' attitudes by making them aware that even ultra-luxury cars will have to move with the times.

"We can't use 12-cylinder engines for ever," Mr Muller-Otvos said.

...

The electric Rolls-Royce uses "tried and tested electric technology", Mr Muller-Otvos said.

Though unlike most electric cars, it does not require owners to plug it in every day.

Instead, the car uses an inductive charging system, with a panel fixed under the car connecting remotely to a panel on the garage floor.

75kWh battery according to bobbyllew.

 

[doug]

BBC News - Rolls-Royce launches electric car at Geneva motor show
75kWh battery according to bobbyllew.

The electric Rolls-Royce uses "tried and tested electric technology", Mr Muller-Otvos said.

That makes it sound like off the shelf stuff. I wonder who the vendors are for the motors, batteries, etc.

 

[dpeilow]

I'd guess they are looking in the same BMW parts bin as the ActiveE team.

 

[doug]

Rolls-Royce 102EX Electric Phantom Prototype: 2011 Geneva Motor Show , Gallery 2 - MotorAuthority

This photo implies all the batteries are under the hood. I wonder how much that 75kWh capacity weights. Also curious how long it takes to charge fully with that induction scheme.

Any technical details out on this vehicle? Hopefully they have 3 phase charging for that huge battery. Clearly the goal here isn't cost or efficiency, so I hope they put in all the bells and whistles.

 

[dpeilow]

Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom 102EX | Auto Express

Has a video that shows a fair bit of body roll.

 

[Eberhard]

it looks like the charging socket/plug from Mennekes its 3-phase

http://www.mennekes.de/web/screen?ID=mennekes%2Fdefault%2F%5Blrncontent%2C%5Bcontent%2Fpres.cnt.page-seqentry%2FmenP-31a786a9%3A12c19085951%3A-73c7%2F0%2F%2Ccontent%2Fexp.def-live%2Fen%2F%5C%5D%5D

 

[Kevin Sharpe]

it looks like the charging socket/plug from Mennekes its 3-phase

lets hope so!

 

[doug]

The video dpeilow linked to confirms 3 phase charging (that is the Mennekes connector). Also says they're using a 96 cell Li-ion battery pack (where the V12 engine would be) and shows two water cooled motors coupled to what looks like a single speed transaxle.