Europe's electric farm buggies get a new look
Friday, December 5, 2014
The revolutionary Kulan concept is much more than an alternative to the new breed of electrical quad ATVs. Many think this could be the start of larger scale electricity application in fieldwork
by NORMAN DUNN
Presentations of the new battery-powered quad ATVs at recent farm shows in Europe have been drawing crowds faster than free ice cream. After all, the concept is just the ticket for modern carbon-conscious farms that need a small all-terrain runabout, coupling non-emission power with well-proven design based on already popular internal combustion engine quad bikes.
Up until now, North American models in this electro-segment have the European market in an iron grip with Polaris Ranger EV and Eco E-Force ATVs. No one's going to argue about the sheer handiness of these go-almost-anywhere vehicles, their low noise levels (what a relief!) and their almost spotless climate-saving credentials. The Ranger from Polaris produces a peak 30 h.p. with 45 kilometre maximum range between battery charges and claims a 500-kilogram payload/ 560 kilogram towing capacity. Net weight, though, is a hefty 770 kilogram.
With the E-Force from Eco, the 22 kW motor churns out 28 h.p. and, at the twist of a throttle, its so-called "torque-on-demand" system claims to produce more than three times the output of similar weight petrol-powered ATVs. Range between battery charges is not mentioned in the vehicle specs, but load-carrying capacity for this lightweight (net 375 kilograms) machine is comparatively low at just 75 kilograms – 30 kilograms up front and 45 kilograms on the back. Trailer pulling power is put at 500 kilograms.
But now for something completely new – a revolutionary concept developed in Europe that offers a fresh look and capability for the electric farm buggy. The Kulan (named after an Asiatic wild ass) is a lightweight of just 300 kilograms net, thanks to weight-saving tubular steel and glass-reinforced polyurethane construction.
In fact, part of the buggy may even be biologically degradable: a hopper, force-moulded from recycled paper, is being tested to fit onto the prototype vehicle's generous load-carrying platform. One idea is that such a hopper could be used for collecting green cuttings and the waste material dumped straight onto compost heaps complete with the disposable (and hopefully cheap) hopper.
But here comes the real bonus for agri-users: the Kulan can carry or pull a payload of up to one ton according to manufacturer Poly-Lab. Power comes from a pair of two-kilowatt electric motors, one in each rear wheel hub, fuelled by a bank of 16 lithium-ion batteries. Top speed peaks at 50 km/h with six hours' driving between charges, giving a practical range of up to 300 kilometres, depending on load, terrain and temperature.
It's not too surprising that this buggy is turning out to be something really special. The government in Berlin has a hand in development, along with input from a cluster of 14 German R&D and automotive production companies, plus two research institutes and co-ordination by the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU). Development started in 2012.
Neither market price nor launching date is available so far, but the Kulan advantages of a realistic load-carrying platform, so far unbeatable power-to-weight ratio and climate-saving long-range electric drive means there's already a long line of prospective purchasers for what, after all, is still a prototype. BF