Nissan EV4-P & EV4-H: Experimental EVs from the 70s

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asavage
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Nissan EV4-P & EV4-H: Experimental EVs from the 70s

#1

Post by asavage »

I picked up this 6-page brochure a couple of years back in a lot of stuff at an auction. It's in really good condition, so I just got around to scanning it. It appears to be printed sometime post-1973.

I'm going to try posting the images at 750px wide here; these days, most monitors should be large enough that that won't cause horizontal scrolling, but buzz me if it does on your computer.

(click on any image for larger)
Nissan EV4 Experimental Electric Vehicle
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FRP BODY, LEAD-ACID BATTERY, ZINC-AIR BATTERY, Al. BAGGAGE GATE, CONTROLLER, DRIVE DEVICE, TRACTION MOTOR

Nissan Motor Company, manufacturer of Datsun, has directed a substantial portion of its technological resources to the development of high-performance electric vehicles in response to expanding public needs for energy conservation and environmental protection.

A large-scale national project for the development of electric vehicles in Japan started with close cooperation between leading companies and research institutes under the auspices of the Industrial Science and Technology Agency of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1971. Some $20 million has since been invested in this government-sponsored development program. As a result, five different experimental vehicles were developed during the first stage, followed by four others during the second stage.

Nissan Motor Company, for its part, came up with two types of small pickup trucks under this program and delivered them to the Ministry for evaluation tests. The Company has achieved remarkable technological progress by incorporating hybrid batteries and their control systems in these prototypes, christened EV4. These vital systems enable the EV4 to perform on a par with gasoline-powered vehicles.

The first prototype, dubbed EV4—P, featuring a lead-acid battery system was completed in 1973. The Company then proceeded to build the EV4—H, a second, more refined prototype equipped with an efficient hybrid battery system. This battery system consists of high-energy-density zinc-air and high-output-density lead-acid batteries.

The utilization of a hybrid battery traction system was a significant technical breakthrough, in that it ex-tended the operating range of electric vehicles. This made these vehicles more suitable for practical applications. Along this line, Nissan has marshalled the latest technology to realize a traction system composed of the optimum hybrid combination, efficient battery characteristics and sophisticated control system. Besides the traction system, strenuous efforts were made to reduce body weight by relying heavily on Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and aluminum. This enabled the Nissan EV4—H to establish the world record for an electric vehicle of 496 km (308 miles) per charge.

Although practical application of these prototypes will necessitate further R D work and breakthroughs in technology, the excellent results achieved during the course of this project are certain to contribute a great deal to transportation systems of tomorrow.
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Hybrid battery energy is controlled by the system illustrated above. This control system, when combined with an electric motor, provides remarkable efficiency: 78 per cent of battery energy is realized as motor output. The electronic components and safety circuits incorporated are the products of a joint development effort with Hitachi, Ltd., Shinkobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

The zinc-air battery with an electrolyte circulating system is a high-density energy battery capable of generating 168 V, 110 Wh/kg and 400 Ah (5 HR).

A lead-acid battery capable of generating 120 V, 50 Wh/kg and 170 Ah (5 HR) is employed when accelerating and decelerating.

An SCR chopper controller incorporates a 1,000 Amp thyristor regenerative braking system.

The DC shunt motor used in this vehicle is the most reliable, light-weight and high-performance electric motor of its kind.

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The Industrial Science and Technology Agency has conducted performance tests such as mileage (cruising and city driving) per charge, maximum speed, acceleration, climbing ability, electric power consumption, noise level and radio wave interference. Furthermore, the overall safety features have been assessed with special emphasis placed on crashworthiness and overall driveability. Nissan's prototypes have yielded excellent results in every category evaluated.

Quick and Easy Battery Change
The zinc-air battery is housed in the side of the body on a specially designed carrier. The lead-acid battery is installed on a tray which slides out onto loading platform. These mechanisms enable quick, easy servicing of both batteries.

Instrument Panel
The battery gauge in the EV4 instrument panel plays the same role as the fuel gauge in gasoline-powered vehicles. Gear shifts from forward to reverse are made by simple hand switch operations.

Passenger Compartment
The roomy passenger compartment features a spacious luggage area behind the two seats.

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The first prototype, EV4—P, was developed as a highly practical electric vehicle powered solely by a lead-acid battery. The EV4—P incorporates such advanced features as quick battery serviceability, an automatic lubrication system, control circuit with charging unit, re-generating brakes and a light-weight FRP body shell. It has proven practical in a series of field tests carried out in Tokyo. In addition, it has successfully undergone a crash test which is unprecedented for electric vehicles. This was done to study the shock-absorbing characteristics of its body together with the effects of impact upon its electric components. In the mileage evaluation tests conducted by the Industrial Science and Technology Agency, the EV4—P has covered 302 km (188 miles) on one charge; the best record for a single-battery electric vehicle established to date.
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NISSAN EV4 SPECIFICATIONS
The Specifications of Nissan EV4-H
Model: Compact truck
Payload: 1000 kg
Seating capacity: Two
Overall length: 4695 mm
Overall width: 1695 mm
Overall height: 1840 mm
Wheelbase: 2440 mm
Front tread: 1370 mm
Rear tread: 1380 mm
Motor type: DC shunt motor
Rated output: 27 kw (120V)
Control system: SCR chopper
Energy battery: Zinc-air battery with an electrolyte circulating system
Power battery: Lead-acid battery
Maximum speed: 90 km/h (56 mph)
Acceleration (0-40 km/h): 4.9 seconds
Mileage per charge (constant speed: 40 km/h): 496 km (308 miles)
Front brakes: Drum brake
Rear brakes: Drum & thyristor regenerative brakes
Front suspension: Torsion bar spring & coil spring
Rear suspension: Leaf spring

The Specifications of Nissan EV4-P
Model: Compact truck
Payload: 1000 kg
Seating capacity: Two
Overall length: 4690 mm
Overall width: 1695 mm
Overall height: 1840 mm
Wheelbase: 2480 mm
Front tread: 1370 mm
Rear tread: 1380 mm
Motor type: DC series motor
Rated output: 27 kw (120V)
Control system: SCR chopper
Battery: Lead-acid battery
Maximum speed: 87 km/h (54 mph)
Acceleration (0-40 km/h): 6.9 seconds
Mileage per charge (Constant speed 40 km/h): 302 km (188 miles)
Front brakes: Drum brake
Rear brakes: Drum brake
Front suspension: Torsion bar spring & coil spring
Rear suspension: Leaf spring

NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
17-1, Ginza 6-chome, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Printed in Japan
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Fullsize front of brochure
Fullsize back of brochure
Regards,
Al S.

1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
plenzen
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#2

Post by plenzen »

Very Cool
Retired Pauly
Problem with being retired is that you never get a day off.
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