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Build your own electric car with Trexa

Build your own electric car with Trexa
A side rendering of the TREXA vehicle development platform
A side rendering of the TREXA vehicle development platform
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A side rendering of the TREXA vehicle development platform
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A side rendering of the TREXA vehicle development platform
The TREXA development platform features adjustable suspension and open source electronics
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The TREXA development platform features adjustable suspension and open source electronics
The modular platform will be available in various lengths to suit customer needs
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The modular platform will be available in various lengths to suit customer needs
A shot of the TREXA lithium-ion battery pack
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A shot of the TREXA lithium-ion battery pack
A designer could develop a small car, pickup or truck using the platform
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A designer could develop a small car, pickup or truck using the platform
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Trexa has revealed details of a lithium-powered, all-wheel vehicle development platform that will enable engineers and developers to create custom "vehicle apps", doing for builders of electric vehicles what the iPhone did for application developers. Modular and scalable, the standard Trexa platform will feature an aluminum, carbon steel tubing and thermoplastic shell containing open source and user programmable electronics and advanced battery technology.

A few years ago, General Motors (GM) brought forth an idea where a variety of vehicle bodies could all be fitted to one standard fuel-cell-propelled chassis: the AUTOnomy concept. "If our vision of the future is correct, and we think it is, AUTOnomy could reinvent the automobile and our entire industry," said Larry Burns, GM Vice President of Research and Development and Planning, at the time.

GM based the design around a hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system and since AUTOnomy was first announced, has shown off some conceptual offerings in the Hy-wire and the Sequel but as yet, a commercially available vehicle hasn't appeared.

The TREXA approach

Meanwhile, a company called Trexa has introduced a similar looking project to AUTOnomy that uses fully recyclable lithium-ion battery technology instead of hydrogen fuel cells but keeps the same single adaptable platform approach. The battery technology for the platform was developed by the team behind the first lithium plug in hybrid system for the Toyota Prius in 2005. Trexa envision the vehicle development platform doing for car builders what the iPhone did for application developers.

Customers will be provided with a Trexa vehicle development kit (VDK) which will contain CAD models for design and validation directly on the platform, human-machine interface components enabling programming and operation and hardware for permanently or interchangeably docking applications to the platform. There's also ongoing development of modules for remote operation and other specialized applications.

The standard platform is made from welded and bonded aluminum, carbon steel tubing and fiber-reinforced thermoplastics and will have an 80 inch wheelbase with a curb weight of 1,250 lb. The Trexa all-wheel drive platform should give 0-60mph in eight seconds, features programmable gearless 2-speed transmission that uses regenerative braking, has a top speed of 100mph and a range of 105 miles with 21kWh of lithium iron phosphate battery power installed. Recharge time is said to be four hours.

Further custom design options

Small task oriented vehicles, prototype mules for developers and a chassis for kit car builders or low-volume production models can be catered for thanks to the platform's scalability features. Builders will benefit from a modular energy storage system that can provide vehicle ranges from 25 miles (7kWh battery configuration) right up to 125 miles (28kWh battery configuration) between charges together with fully adjustable suspension and optional short (64in) and long (96in) wheelbase versions. There's also the option of a dual-motor drive system and variable torque between front and rear axles. While an overnight charger is a standard feature there is also the option of a 6kW onboard fast charger and builders will have access to the main power bus for adding range extenders, enabling off-board chargers, and providing portable power.

Josh Davis, Director of Marketing for Trexa told Gizmag: "Without an internal combustion engine and exhaust system, etc. all of the battery, driveline, and power electronics - everything that makes a vehicle go - can be contained in a low profile enclosed structure that lends itself to unlimited design possibilities."

Pricing details have yet to be announced but will obviously vary depending on selected features. First delivery is expected to take place in 2011.

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8 comments
8 comments
Craig Jennings
Now we\'re talking! Of course iPhones don\'t have such regulation as Automobiles for design requirements/safety standards etc. Pretty cool base, thanks for the Article :)
Facebook User
Smart idea, I wonder how expensive the bases will be for developers? IS there an exemption from certain safety laws if a vehicle is experimental?
Roomie
I really like this idéa and I hope they continue to improve on the numbers. I\'d like to see something like this:
Speed: at least 125 mph, 0-60 mph in around 5 sec Distance: at least 300 miles Wheel base: up to 120 inch
If you think it\'s far fetched look at Teslas Model S http://www.teslamotors.com/models
Hope this trend continues, we could start seeing some really cool designs coming out from this.
Facebook User
This is the same platform of the MEALER AUTOMOBILE designed a decade ago... Obviously a great idea. I look forward to what TREXA puts out!
Nick Gencarelle
Someday we can have all of these on any highways ride on a computer controlled track-only when you get off the ramps will you have control-just tell it to go to say exit 16-whoosh-high speed- no accidents- it takes you to the exit-wakes you up- if you haven\'t regained control-puts you in a breakdown lane if you don\'t.
Facebook User
I bet this will only be affordable to the richard bransons and bill gates and other famous people of this world and not us ordinary folk who almost brake our bakes and have heart attacks trying to earn enough money just to survive. :( all of this latest technology is like this and then it take millenia after millenia until it eventually trickles down through the cracks to us.
It happens with every piece of technology and it\'s pissng me off!
Stuart21
Mealer or GM or even orig. design - still won\'t do them any good. Very few vehicles can tolerate inside floor 6 - 8\" higher than underbody. Forward control commercials or perhaps this - http://www.m274armymules.com/images/Home Page/DSC01488.JPG the mechanical mule.
There is a better solution.
Tom Lee Mullins
It reminds me of the GM 'skateboard' that was a fuel cell platform that they could build different bodies on. I hope this design makes it further than the GM idea.
I think this has a lot of potential. I can see a company like Local Motors building bodies with their 3 D 'car printer'.
I remember cars of old that built platforms and had other companies build the body. It seems this could be possible with this.