Because the second-generation Tesla Roadster stays on the drafting board, a Texas-based firm has sketched out a brand new life for unique Roadsters, whereas enhancing their dealing with.
Re/Cell, which focuses on remanufacturing EV battery packs, not too long ago unveiled a substitute Roadster battery pack that is 400 kilos lighter than the unique and takes up 3.7 cubic ft much less area—making it about half the amount of the unique pack.
With 47 kwh of complete capability, Re/Cell expects the substitute pack to return 220-240 miles of vary, which is in step with the manufacturing facility pack. However as an alternative of simply matching the manufacturing facility specs, the load and quantity reductions of the brand new pack are claimed to assist make the Roadster a greater automotive.
Re/Cell substitute battery pack for the Tesla Roadster
“Alternative packs for the Roadster are costly and overburdened, with an pointless concentrate on straight-line efficiency and vary,” Re/Cell president Chad Maglaque stated in an announcement. “The main focus ought to as an alternative be on dealing with and pace, to match the racing pedigree of its world-class efficiency chassis.”
The Roadster was based mostly on the Lotus Elise, and Lotus founder Colin Chapman, with the maxim “simplify, then add lightness,” would possible agree with this emphasis on dealing with over straight-line acceleration.
Re/Cell claims its pack additionally helps decrease the Roadster’s heart of gravity and permits extra mass to be moved towards the middle of the chassis—additional enhancing dealing with—whereas additionally making room for DC fast-charging {hardware} and liquid cooling methods for the motor and energy electronics module (these options are non-obligatory, nonetheless).
2010 Tesla Roadster Sport (picture through Hagerty)
The battery itself will get an upgraded cooling system consisting of a molded core with connected ribbons, permitting for a 50-times-greater contact space for warmth switch in comparison with the manufacturing facility cooling system, together with constant temperature management, Re/Cell claims. The corporate caught with the unique 18650 cell format, although after all the chemistry has developed considerably.
Re/Cell has priced the pack at $27,895 for the model providing most efficiency, after a $11,500 core credit score for his or her current pack. It makes use of these early Roadster cells for remanufactured battery packs and use with photo voltaic methods or as backup energy. Out of greater than a half 1,000,000 cells Re/Cell processed this previous 12 months, it disposed of or recycled simply 150, the agency stated to Inexperienced Automotive Reviews.Â
The final Tesla Roadster was in-built December 2011, simply earlier than the Mannequin S was launched. This was the automotive that launched Tesla, however Elon Musk did not have a lot to do with it, nor did he begin Tesla. He grew to become CEO in late 2008, after the Roadster had already gone into restricted manufacturing.
Tesla has not been constant over time about offering manufacturing facility help for unique Roadsters. However because the sports activities automotive was launched, EV battery prices have plunged, creating extra of a gap for aftermarket corporations like Re/Cell to offer various options.
