Sevcon controllers in zero emission scooters for city slickers

The UK-based company is providing compact, high power controllers for French giant Peugeot’s new e-Vivacity scooter which is 100 per cent electric and designed for urban use.



Peugeot’s pioneering scooter, which will launch in spring 2011, is powered by two rechargeable lithium ion batteries and has a range of 60km at a constant speed of 45kmh.



The scooter will incorporate Sevcon’s new Gen 4 size 2 motor controllers which will be used to channel energy from the 2 kWh battery system. The recently launched Gen 4 series controllers are designed to control both AC Asynchronous and Permanent Magnet Synchronous motors.



Ultra compact, the Gen 4 controllers being used by Peugeot boast the latest in electronic motor control technology and are the smallest in the industry relative to power delivery.



They are designed for off and on-road use - making them ideal for city centre bikes like the e-Vivacity – and can be integrated into very tight engine compartments and body spaces without sacrificing performance.



Peugeot’s new scooter represents a major breakthrough in performance. It is simple to use and recharge with an extendable cable that plugs into a standard 220v socket and takes five hours to fully recharge. The bike’s digital dashboard enables users to manage the charge level with precision.



Matt Boyle, Sevcon, chief executive officer, said: “Peugeot’s e-Vivacity is a fantastic innovation and spearheads a new generation of on-road electric scooters offering excellent performance and clean journeys.



“We’re delighted to be a partner with an OEM of Peugeot’s calibre on this project which highlights the impact Sevcon technology can play in this emerging sector.”



Sevcon is a long established supplier of motor control technology to the automotive sector and the Gen4 range forms part of a comprehensive range of AC and DC motor controllers, power converters and battery chargers for electric powered vehicles.



Size 2 Gen4 controllers are available in the form of three individual new products with ratings of 275A at 36-48V‚ 300A at 24V and 180A at 72-96V.



The new controllers are fully CANopen compliant, enabling simple and flexible software integration with vehicle drive and control system components through a series of input and output connections.



This ability also allows full integration with vehicle diagnostics and dashboard displays of speed, battery status and other scooter controls.



Peugeot’s e-Vivacity project manager, Mr England Wei, added: “Sevcon Gen 4 controllers are a perfect fit for e-Vivacity. The performance, efficiency and compact size of this application matches our requirements precisely.



“Sevcon’s controllers have the ability to be closely matched with the motors used in the scooter to provide smooth power transition. They also improve efficiency and enhance the range capability which is extremely valuable.”