ecomento.de June 17, 2022, Source: TWIKE
For the most athletic and most powerful model, the developers decided to use a11> the widely used 18650 battery design decided. The cylindrical cell is used for example in notebooks or flashlights , but also by electric car pioneer Tesla in individual model series used. However, the battery concept for the new TWIKE had to be changed at short notice – with success, say the makers.
Production of the preferred cell from the usual manufacturer was discontinued last year. A compatible successor model was not available on the market at the same time. “An event like this is, of course, a worst-case scenario for vehicle development,” recalls Martin Möscheid, Managing Director of TWIKE GmbH. “The search for a suitable alternative caused us quite a few headaches. Ultimately, we had to reconcile the limited range with basic vehicle characteristics.”
The limited space in the underbody of the TWIKE 5, where the batteries are housed, proved to be a particular challenge. The developers ultimately decided on the VDA format. With a height of 108.5 millimeters, the alternative only required a modification of the sandwich construction of the battery box. “Once again, it proved to be an advantage that TWIKE 5 can completely dispense with active cooling thanks to low battery stress and the aim of achieving high durability. Only for vehicle operation at sub-zero temperatures was surface heating integrated into the battery box,” it says.
As a positive side effect of the necessary adjustments, the stiffness of the main frame could be increased. In addition the battery electronics were integrated into the sandwich structure, which reduced the assembly times and frees up additional storage space behind the seats.
According to TWIKE, the switch to the new battery format means that charging capacity can be adjusted with less precision. The TWIKE 5 will therefore only be available in two variants: one version with approximately 18 kWh energy content and a range of approximately 250 kilometers and a second with 36 kWh and 500 kilometers per charge.
As a compromise the VDA format is recognizably more difficult, admit the developers. Other components also proved to be heavier than originally intended during the course of vehicle development. However, the negative effects of the additional weight were offset by aerodynamic modifications. In addition to this the additional battery weight causes a lowering of the center of gravity of the vehicle and improves the driving dynamics of the a16> TWIKE 5.
“Over the years, we have learned to constantly take on new challenges,” says Möscheid. “After all, with TWIKE we are breaking new ground, where we are several steps ahead of the automotive industry in many areas and therefore need to be flexible in responding to short-term changes.” Over the next few months, TWIKE will conduct further tests to select the right battery manufacturer and confirm the suitability of the VDA format for series production.
Production of the TWIKE 5 is scheduled to start in late fall 2022. The series is limited to 500 vehicles. The price is expected to range between €39,900 and €49,900, depending on the version. Reservations without a deposit are already possible.
