An Electric Go-Kart that Goes from 0-100km/h in Under 5 seconds

the FIA Electric, the New Energy Commission, and the German Motorsport Association (DMSB) with the help of Bosch have come out with a unique go-kart or 'e-kart'.

By Ameya Naik

1 mins read

Published on May 31, 2016

Highlights

It’s a prototype and a purely electric racing kart
The e-kart goes from 0-100 km/h in under 5 sec with top speed of 130 km/h
Energy is stored in the system using a 48-volt lithium battery

A go-kart is the first machine on which one learns to race. S/he learns to get up close with the racing lines and that's where the basics of racing are imbibed. Yes, go-karts are slow and powered by a conventional engine, so you get up and personal with even some fumes and the smell of burnt rubber. While the burnt rubber might not be a problem the smell of gasoline might. However, the FIA Electric, the New Energy Commission, and the German Motorsport Association (DMSB) with the help of Bosch have come out with a unique go-kart or 'e-kart'. (It's Prototype and a Purely Electric Racing Kart) It's a prototype and a purely electric racing kart. The FIA and DMSB rely on Bosch for this innovative powertrain system. The supplier of technology and services developed the system together with these motorsport organizing bodies, as well as with Germany's largest kart manufacturer Mach 1 Kart. Together these organizations will be presenting an initial prototype in Berlin. "With the e-kart, the FIA, DMSB, and Bosch are together laying the foundations for 'electrifying' performance kart racing. Just as it has on the roads, electrification will bring more excitement, driving pleasure, and greater efficiency to race tracks," says Dr. Markus Heyn, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. DMSB General Secretary Christian Schacht is also enthusiastic about the electric racing kart: "We're happy to support the forward-looking and exciting FIA electric kart project. As an advanced technology nation, Germany very much has a special obligation to support electromobility in motorsports. We do that with Formula E, and we also do that by supporting junior kart racing drivers." (This Electric Go Kart 2 Can Go From 0 to 100 km/h in Under 5 Seconds) The e-kart goes from 0 to 100 km/h in under five seconds and has a top speed of over 130 km/h, and with peak torque available even at low engine speeds, it can squeal the tyres with just a tap of the pedal. Bosch motorsport engineers came up with a solution in the form of the new BRS boost recuperation system, whose first generation will go into production at the company starting in 2017. The electrical components of the BRS support the internal-combustion motor in compact vehicles with up to 10 kW of additional power, which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent. It also provides the internal-combustion engine with an additional 150Nm of torque during acceleration. Two starter-generators delivering a total output of 26hp form the basis of the new powertrain, which sends 300 Nm of torque to the rear axle. Energy is stored in the system using a 48-volt lithium battery. In addition, the starter-generators can recover energy during recuperation and then use it for acceleration. The nerve center of the powertrain is a custom ECU that controls energy flows throughout the kart. A set of sensors and a wiring harness complete the overall system. The new electric powertrain turns the Mach 1 Kart chassis into a clean, fast, and agile performer on the race track. We can't wait to see a racing series kick off and we hope FIA is listening.