Quantum Awarded $30M Contract to Supply Key Components and Sub-Systems Related to Q-Drive Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Systems for Fisker
07 September 2010
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| Powertrain for the Karma. Source: Fisker Automotive. Click to enlarge. |
Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. has received a $30-million purchase order for supplying key components and subsystems related to Quantum’s proprietary Q-Drive powertrain systems for the Fisker Karma production program under the terms of its supply agreement.
Under this first-release production purchase order, Quantum will supply components and systems to support the early vehicle builds that will ramp up to production volumes in 2011. Quantum recently signed a Supply Agreement with Fisker Automotive to supply key components and control systems for the Q-Drive powertrain system that is being incorporated into the Fisker Karma plug-in series hybrid.
Fisker Automotive, co-founded by Quantum and Fisker Coachbuild, closed a Department of Energy (DOE) loan for $528.7 million in April 2010. (Earlier post.) This DOE loan to Fisker will be used for the development and production of two models of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including the Karma, a four-door sports sedan, and a line of family-oriented models being developed under Fisker’s Project Nina program.
The Q-Drive for Karma uses a mid-mounted 20 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack capable of delivering a peak power of 200 kW (500 Amps at 400 Volts) throughout the charge-depleting range of operation. Fisker Automotive entered a multi-year battery supply agreement with A123 Systems for the Karma program earlier this year. (Earlier post.)
Fisker Karma utilizes an Ecotec 2.0-liter direct injected turbocharged 4 cylinder gasoline engine developing 191 kW (260 hp) as the range extender. Top speed is 125 mph (200 km/h) with 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.8 seconds.
Dual rear electric motors deliver a combined 300 kW (408 hp) and a peak torque of 1300 N·m (959 ft-lbs) of torque to the input of the differential.
Quantum’s proprietary controls software is loaded into a high capacity vehicle control unit to handle real time control of multiple powertrain systems including regenerative braking with ABS communication, stability/traction control, engine/generator power delivery, traction motor/propulsion system, vehicle auxiliary systems and control inputs, power management between battery and on-board power generation and on-board diagnostics functionality.
The Q-Drive in Fisker Karma is complemented by a solar photovoltaic roof module that generates renewable electricity, for further reduction in CO2 emissions and improvement in fuel economy. The solar roof module was designed by Quantum and Quantum’s partner Asola . Advanced and Automotive Solar Systems GmbH, and comprises 4 electrically separate zones, each consisting of 20 crystalline silicon cells in series.
This is not a "green" car. The solar roof is not even given a rating so that the false beliefs about clean solar energy can be continued to be propagated. The output of the solar cell unit is at most 200 watts in the brightest sunlight. This is a waste even of the money required to build the solar cells as they would be better used in a sun tracking mounting feeding the grid, but this is also a waste of money when combined heat and power units are not installed in all buildings, large and small. Most uses of automobiles do not require more than 10kW, and some require less. High kW and high torque are not characteristics of an efficient automobile. The US could reduce its highway fuel consumption substantially with a lower speed limit. Fisker would do very well to build a hydraulic hybrid instead with the Artemis technolgy or even the UPS. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 07 September 2010 at 10:07 AM
Why is Fisker/Quantum news? They've been joined-at-the-hip since before federal loan ploys. News would be Fisker producing something or even meeting an ORIGINAL deadline.
Posted by: kelly | 07 September 2010 at 10:47 AM
Just too much. Only a few hundred millionaires will buy those. Why is this millionaire gadget supported with public $$$.
Something has gone wrong under the sun.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 September 2010 at 11:38 AM
"line of family-oriented models"
The idea is to get them going so that they can get to this. They have missed declared delivery dates, so if they want to restore credibility, they have to start delivery soon.
Posted by: SJC | 07 September 2010 at 12:41 PM
I see the latest scheduel for a Fisker will be sometime in "2011". Meanwhile the legitimate auto makers are introducing the Volt, Focus EV, Nissan Leaf, Chysler-Fait 500 EV, etc, before then. Hundreds of Leafs and Volts have been caught on camera under development and testing, but nary a single, Fisker.
I guess now that the "owners", including Mr. Al Gore have suckered Uncle Sam for more than half a Billion dollars in subsidies, it's time for the Blowoff of the Sting. I just wonder if we will ever see a Fisker actually moving under its own power, or whether they will all be just auto show mockups.
Posted by: ExDemo | 08 September 2010 at 03:57 PM
ExStan: You are a poopy head.
Esteemed colleagues:
Do you think Fisker has a shot as the PHEV version of Tesla, with a $90K sports car and a $55K sedan?
Posted by: HealthyBreeze | 08 September 2010 at 06:35 PM
ExStan,
Please show evidence that Al Gore influenced the U.S. government to subsidize Fisker. You keep making things up and expect people to believe your lies just because you post them.
Posted by: SJC | 09 September 2010 at 01:25 PM