e-miglia 2011: Acid test for e-cars to kick off at TÜV SÜD
e-miglia 2011: Acid test for e-cars to kick off at TÜV SÜD
Bigger, higher, further – the 2011 e-miglia will represent the most gruelling challenge yet for e-mobility as the difficulty of the rally is ramped up still further over last year's race. Before the 32 registered teams set off on the 800-plus route to St. Moritz, TÜV SÜD will set up a public drivers' paddock at its Munich location at 57, Ridlerstrasse on Monday 1st August, where visitors and spectators can experience the 'nuts and bolts' of e-mobility up close. TÜV SÜD is not only the technology partner of the rally, but is also entering two teams of its own. Horst Schneider and Dr Peter Klein, both Members of the Board of Management of TÜV SÜD AG, will be driving an e-Mini.
800 kilometres, 4 stages – the longest clocking up over 200 kilometres, an altitude of 2504 metres on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road – these statistics are some of the key data of the 2011 e-miglia from Munich to St. Moritz. The official start, scheduled for 9 am on 2nd August, will be preceded by a public drivers' paddock set up by TÜV SÜD on the previous day. At the service provider's Munich offices at 57, Ridlerstrasse, the cars will receive technical approval and the 32 participating teams will be presented to the public. |
High tension: TÜV SÜD has entered two teams in e-Minis for the e-miglia 2011. Drivers include Members of the Board of Management Horst Schneider and Dr Peter Klein |
Horst Schneider comments on this year's significantly harder requirements: "As service providers to the e-mobility sector, we realized at last year's debut of the e-miglia rally that it is no mere show event, but that its challenging demands can supply us with concrete information to support the advancement of e-mobility. Now the bar has been raised and we're excited about how the race will go."
Longest stage over 200 kilometres
Probably the most exciting leg of the race will take the entrants over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road at an altitude of 2504 metres. But the 2011 e-miglia is not only higher than last year's rally, but also longer; the route has been extended from 560 kilometres in its debut year of 2010, and teams must now clock up around 800 kilometres to reach the finishing line at St. Moritz. The longest daily stretch has also added 50 kilometres and now totals over 200 kilometres - significantly beyond the range of most of the vehicles taking part, which is approximately 150 kilometres. This new challenge will test the effectiveness of the e-cars' energy recovery technology, which will – in simplified terms – manage battery recharging during downhill stretches and thus extend the range of the vehicles.
In fact, range is an area in which the e-miglia delivers valuable information and findings that enable TÜV SÜD's experts to develop new services. One such service is TSECC (TÜV SÜD E-Car Cycle), a new standard for vehicle range in which measurements take realistic driving cycles and weather conditions into consideration for the first time. Findings show that conditions such as sub-zero temperatures and operation of additional consumption factors can slash an e-vehicle's range by up to 50 per cent. The TSECC thus supplies concrete facts on aspects such as performance and range that impact on the overall success of e-mobility. "e-miglia has provided us with vital information for detailed development of the test cycle, which is closely based on the realities of vehicle operation", stresses Horst Schneider.
Experiencing e-mobility up close
Before the teams tackle the 800 or so kilometres from Munich over the Grossglockner pass and through Bolzano and the Engadine to St. Moritz, they will be invited by TÜV SÜD to join the public drivers' paddock on the afternoon of Monday, 1 August at the company's Munich branch at 57, Ridlerstrasse. Here the public can gain a first-hand impression of e-mobility from 3.30 pm. SWR presenter Constantin Beims will introduce the teams and their technology from 5 pm. Visitors will then have the chance to find out more about e-mobility from drivers, co-drivers and TÜV SÜD experts. Range, charging methods, origin of electricity, energy recovery technology: "It's a truly electrifying experience to make the different approaches to this future-oriented topic of electromobility come alive and fascinate people", enthuses Schneider.
Picture caption: High tension: TÜV SÜD has entered two teams in e-Minis for the e-miglia 2011. Drivers include Members of the Board of Management Horst Schneider and Dr Peter Klein.
Note: The photo can be downloaded in printable resolution from the "Current Press Photos" category at www.tuev-sued.de/pressefotos.
Further details of the 2011 e-miglia, teams and routes are available at http://www.tuev-sued.de/e-miglia (only available in German) and www.e-miglia.com.
Contact: Frank Volk