User:Dougfal/Blade Electric Vehicles

Blade Battery Electric Vehicles was founded in 1996 under the name Blade Electric Vehicles by Australian entrepreneur Ross Blade. After experimenting with several different combinations of base vehicle, electric motor, batteries and control technology, Ross settled on the Hyundai Getz as a donor vehicle to produce Australia's first commercial plug-in electric vehicle. In 2011 the Electron was still Australia's only electric vehicle available for sale (the Mitsubishi iMiEV being available for lease to businesses only).

In 2008, the first Blade "Electron" battery electric vehicles entered the Australian market. They featured USA-made Azure Dynamics motors and motor controllers, Thunder-sky Chinese-made Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and Blade-designed motor interfaces and control systems.

Blade is headquartered in Castlemaine, central Victoria, Australia. It utilises componentry from a number of Australian and international suppliers, as well as those of its own design.

As of 2013, over 50 Blade battery electric vehicles had been manufactured, with one having driven 20,000 km in two years.

In 2013, Blade claimed its product to be Australia's most environmentally friendly car. Blade rebuilds Hyundai Getz bodies rather than manufacturing a new car body. Building new small vehicle bodies can require as much as 20 barrels of oil and with over 5,000,000 Getz bodies available world wide rebuilding made sense for a boutique automotive manufacturer serious about a sustainable transport product. Blade vehicles have a range from between 120 km and 300 km using longer life lithium iron phosphate cells.

Blade History
Blade Electric Vehicles began development of battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology in 2006 at a time when few people thought it either relevant or practical. In 2007 Blade pioneered the use of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries and AC induction drive systems in Australia.

In 2008 Blade manufactured and sold Australia’s first commercially available BEV and was the first to export an Australian made BEV overseas. In 2009 Blade was the first Australian BEV developer to take safety seriously by crash testing its vehicle.

In February 2010 Blade was the first Australian manufacturer to achieve a low volume production licence for up to 100 all-electric vehicles per year. With the Mark V Electron with optional side airbags, Blade produced the safest electric car in Australia in July 2010.

In October 2010, Blade was granted a Federal licence for unlimited production of the Electron Mark V. Blade has achieved a number of local and world firsts in EV design and manufacture.

2013 Blade "Model S"
Announced in early 2011 but not delivered until mid 2013 due to an extortion attempt on the founder and his family, the Blade Model S was late in delivery. When first released it had a range of 140 km (based on the Japanese 10.15 drive cycle), and 85km of sustained high speed highway driving. Its TM4 drive system was set to 55 kW but was soon increased to 76 kW. Available in 3 or 5 door configuration, it feature a 19kWh and a 23 kWh LFP battery pack at 320 volts and produces 170 Nm of torque at the motor. The motor is geared at 7.6:1 and the top speed set to a maximum of 155 kph.

After six years Blade remains Australia's only battery electric vehicle manufacturer.

Earlier models

Electron Mark VI
thumb|Electron Mark VIReleased in 2011, Electron Mark VI featured improvements in on-board systems and controls, faster charging and an increase in power to 60kW.

Specifications
Performance: 0-60kph in 5 seconds and a top speed of 120kph Drive: Three speed semi-automatic, with driver selectable low gear Range: 100km urban driving – varies with speed, terrain, driving style, heater and/or a/c. Controller: Australian air cooled with regenerative braking Motor: German made air cooled 70kw AC induction giving 200Nm in standard configuration Batteries: 360V Blade 'SuperCell' compact, lightweight, new generation NCM lithium ion batteries Capacity: 16kWh with fuel gauge set to register ‘empty’ at 80% depth of discharge Battery Life: 10 years Charge time: 6 hours from any standard 10A Australian power point, 4 hours using J1772 hardware and home or public charging station Rapid charging: 1 hour (requires optional rapid charger/3-phase power) Optional CHAdeMO fast recharge in 20min Air conditioning, power steering: standard Occupants: 4 Warranty: 3 years unlimited kilometres plus buyback guarantee

Electron Mark V
Released in 2010 with the option of side airbags, Electron Mark V was the safest EV available in Australia, as well as the least expensive.

Specifications
Performance: 0-60kph in 7 seconds and a top speed of 120kph Drive: Four speed semi-automatic Range: 100km urban driving – varies with speed, terrain, driving style, heater and/or a/c. Increases by 12km per hour of charging during the day Controller: Air cooled with regenerative braking Motor: Air cooled 37kw brushless induction Batteries: Non-combustible Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), air cooled individual prismatic for ease of service. -45C to 85C operational heat range Capacity: 16kWh with fuel gauge set to register ‘empty’ at 80% depth of discharge Battery Life: 10 years Charge time: 8 hours from any standard 10A Australian power point Rapid charging: 1 hour (requires optional rapid charger/3-phase power) Air conditioning, power steering: standard Occupants: 4 Warranty: 5 years unlimited kilometres

Electron Mark I-IV
The first Blade prototype, dubbed the Mark I, went on the road in 2006. From 2006 to 2009, the Blade Electron went through a number of incremental technological improvements, changes in transmission configurations and accessory provision. These were given the logical descriptions of Marks II-IV. Over 20 Electrons were purchased by State and local governments as part of EV evaluation programs, as well as by private individuals committed to the idea of emissions free driving.