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Introduction
After 120 years of motoring, the exploded global road traffic is now facing the necessity of radical changes. A lot of things have to be done better, or at least in different way. Thanks to the hybrid vehicles, electric powertrains are developing progressively. However, there is no reason to wait for better energy storage systems, the new electric car architecture has to be taken on the CAD screen now, not tomorrow.
With an experience of engineering and building already eleven experimental research vehicles, Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences has launched a new project called ERA, Electric RaceAbout. This car, designed from a clean table to adopt the latest technology of electric powertrain and battery systems as well as the light-weight manufacturing know how, will be a state of art battery driven electric-vehicle. A full-bloodied sportscar with extremely low energy consumption and no emissions will really open a new era for those enthusiasts, feeling guilty because of their passion for motoring! The cutting-edge styling is guaranteed by keen co-operation of the famous Institute of Design, Lahti Polytechnic. ERA will be introduced in summer 2009.
The ultimate target of the ERA project is to reach low volume production and the vehicle is designed accordingly. The novel break-through technology like Lithium batteries, full carbon fiber body and 4 electric drives (one motor per wheel) leads to high costs which the sportscar segment is still able to bear in limited quantities.
The results of this challenging project can be evaluated in autumn 2009, when ERA will take part in the Progressive Automotive X-Prize Competition in USA. The desire of the project team is to contribute to the progress towards environmentally sustaining individual mobility.
With it's limited resources, Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is not working alone. Like in previous projects, a number of front line automotive companies, suppliers and organizations are supporting this effort. And the door is all the time open for related high-tech companies and other partners. This co-operation supports perfectly our goal of educating the talented young engineers and designers to be the real future makers in tomorrow's automobile business.
Welcome to our internet pages to learn more about ERA. Sami Ruotsalainen, Project Director |
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ERA
Sponsors
P A R T N E R S
Aez * * * * * Audi Finland * * * * * Bayermann Recaro * * * * * Bender GmbH * * * * * Bodycote * * * * * Bosch Engineering GmbH * * * * * Brusa Elektronik AG * * * * * Centrafuse * * * * * Colornet * * * * * Componeering * * * * * Diagno * * * * * DIARC * * * * * Finnish Cultural Foundation * * * * * Finnish Electric Vehicles Technologies * * * * * Finnsco Oy * * * * * Flexible products * * * * * Flinkenberg * * * * * Henry Ford Fund * * * * * Idesco * * * * * ITW Plexus * * * * * IWS International * * * * * JJ Tuonti Oy * * * * * Keraplast * * * * * KhreliX Design * * * * * Lahti University of Applied Sciences * * * * * Lappeenranta University of Technology * * * * * Meca-Trade * * * * * Navicron * * * * * Nokian Tyres * * * * * Patria Land & Armament * * * * * Pilkington Automotive * * * * * PKC Group * * * * * Prinel * * * * * Rally Systems Oy * * * * * Ruukki * * * * * Sarlin Race Team * * * * * Savo Consortium for Education * * * * * Scan Mould * * * * * Schaeffler Finland Oy * * * * * Simulia Finland * * * * * Sheet Metal Innovations SMI Oy * * * * * Sika Finland * * * * * Sika Tooling & Composites * * * * * Suomen Taksidata * * * * * Taipale Automotive * * * * * Tesveka * * * * * US-Parts Finn-Am * * * * * Vacon * * * * * Valmet Automotive * * * * * VTI Technologies * * * * * Wela * * * * * YTM - Industrial * * * * * Örum |
Wednesday, 10 March 2010 
08:33
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