AMC Amitron

The AMC Amitron was an experimental electric subcompact car built in 1967 by American Motors Corporation (AMC) and Gulton Industries. It included a number of advanced features, including regenerative braking and advanced battery designs, to provide 150-mile (240 km) range on a single charge. Development ended because of technology issues and the high cost of batteries.

Amitron
The Amitron as shown in 1967
Overview
ManufacturerAmerican Motors (AMC) and Gulton Industries
Production1967 (Concept car)
DesignerDick Teague[1]
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
Body style1-door[2] hatchback
LayoutFF layout
DoorsCanopy door
Powertrain
EngineDC series traction
Dimensions
Length85 in (2,159 mm)
Curb weight1,100 lb (499 kg)[3]

In 1977, the prototype was updated and renamed Electron to become one of automaker's "Concept 80" show cars.

Design

Impetus

Development of the Amitron was prompted by three bills passed by the 89th United States Congress, described collectively as the "Electric Vehicle Development Act of 1966," as well as a fourth bill that amended the Clean Air Act of 1963.[4] The legislation provided funding for electric car research in response to the rapidly decreasing air quality caused by automobile emissions.[5] Development of electric vehicles was undertaken by the domestic big three automobile manufacturers, as well as AMC.[6] Electrically powered cars were also seen as a way for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on "expensive, undependable oil imports."[6]

Powertrain

American Motors entered into a partnership with Gulton Industries of Metuchen, New Jersey[7] (acquired by Mark IV Industries in 1986[8]) to develop the battery and power handling electronics for the car. Their entry into the electric car market was significantly more advanced than other developments, including two types of batteries for fast and slow power release and charging, as well as regenerative brakes to help extend range.[9]

The primary power source consisted of two 75 lb (34 kg) lithium-nickel-fluoride batteries rated at 150 watt-hours per lb, or 331 watt-hours per kg, with a total capacity of 22.5 kWh. The designers selected lithium for the Amitron because "it is both highly reactive (easy to oxidize) and has high electromotive potential."[10] The downside to these batteries is that they have relatively low instantaneous power, too little to provide reasonable acceleration or be able to handle the rapid recharging during regenerative braking. To handle these higher power peaks, a secondary power source consisting of two 24 lb (11 kg) nickel-cadmium (NiCd, often read ni-cad) batteries was used. These batteries could accelerate the car to 50 mph (80 km/h) in 20 seconds.[11] During cruise, the lithium batteries recharged the ni-cads, which continued to power the motor.

The regenerative system would automatically switch the drive motors to generators as the car slowed so that the ni-cads could recharge; thus increasing the range of the car.[3] The regenerative braking control was designed "to provide the same brake pedal "feel" as a conventional car.[12] This was first use of regenerative braking technology in the U.S. automobile industry.[13]

All together, the system provided the car with a range of 150-mile (241 km) when traveling at 50 mph (80 km/h).[14] Its total battery weight of only 200 lb (91 kg) was also light for electric vehicles.[15] The equivalent in lead-acid cells would weigh nearly a ton (907 kg).[10] The entire system was controlled by a solid state power management system.

The first road tests of the batteries and powertrain were in 1968 using a converted conventional Rambler American sedan.[16] At the time, AMC's vice president of design, Dick Teague, was working on a car called "the Voltswagon".[11] The supporters of the Amitron were confident and stated that "We don't see a major obstacle in the technology. It's just a matter of time."[17]

Body

The Amitron was designed to minimize power loss by keeping down rolling resistance, wind drag resistance, and vehicle weight.[18] The prototype was a snub-snouted three-passenger urban area vehicle or city car with an overall length of only 85 inches (2,159 mm).[19] Among its unique design features were passenger seats that had air-filled cushions, rather than conventional polyurethane (foam rubber). The car did not feature conventional body side doors, but the canopy of the vehicle was hinged up and backward ("clamshell type" on rear mounted pivots[20]) for entry and egress.[21]

American Motors put more effort into making its prototype electric car attractive than its competitors.[22] "The modern looking Amitron was one of the most promising electrics developed in the Sixties."[23] During the December 1967 public introduction of the car, Roy D. Chapin, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of AMC, stated that the Amitron "could eliminate many problems that up to this point have made electric-type cars impractical".[11]

Potential market

American Motors original plans were to offer the Amitron for sale to commuters and urban shoppers in five years, and Chapin said AMC had discussed the venture with its bankers and creditors and "they are about as enthusiastic about it".[24] The Amitron was also well received by the public.[15] The new technology was still in the infant stage and it was not expected to be popular "until the end of the decade."[25] Competitors were also skeptical of AMC's rapid deployment, stating it would take ten years to have a practical battery.[16] Moreover, research programs to develop clean transportation in the U.S. ceased.[22] The Amitron did not go beyond the prototype stage. The expensive batteries forced AMC to halt further experiments with advanced technology electric vehicles for several years.[23]

Legacy
The rebadged 1977 AMC Electron gained rear-view side mirrors

The AMC Pacer was influenced by the Amitron's short, wide dimensions, along with optionally including three front seats.[26][2] The abruptly terminating rear end of the concept car influenced the AMC Gremlin.[27]

American Motors' battery powered vehicle development continued under a partnership with Gould (Gould Electronics after selling its battery operations[28]) that lead to the mass production of the Jeep DJ-5E starting in 1974.[29] This rear-wheel drive mini-delivery van was also known as the Electruck.[30] Regenerative braking was effective at speeds above 22.5 mph (36.2 km/h) and the system included current-limiting to prevent overcharging the lead-acid batteries.[12]

In 1977, AMC introduced their "Concept 80" line of experimental vehicles, which included the AM Van, Grand Touring, Concept I, Concept II, and Jeep II.[31] Along with this lineup they renamed the Amitron to be the Electron, added side-view mirrors to the windows, and gave it a fresh paint job.[32] The show car was not driveable because it did not have a power train.[33]

The design has been characterized by some observers as "hot, sexy, cute and practical."[34] "The AMC Amitron had almost 50 years ago all that is still considered indispensable for an electric car if it is supposed to succeed: a decent range, low weight, and a jaunty look."[35]

gollark: It might just be done on some more general-purpose higher-reasoning bit.
gollark: *Is* there one?
gollark: It would be quite useful, given that brains can do, I don't know, specific tasks like reading, pattern recognition, and that sort of thing pretty well, but are terrible at basic maths.
gollark: Still pretty good though.
gollark: RK3399s are at least two years old now.

References
  1. Booij, Jeroen (February 11, 2010). "Lightning strikes". coachbuld.com. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  2. "Franktoid No. 2 - AMC's Amitron". Frank's Classic Car Blog. April 14, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  3. Hamilton, W.F.; Eisenhut, E.J.; Houser, G.M.; Sojvold, A.R. (October 1974). Impact of future use of electric cars in the Los Angeles region. 2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. p. 1/6.
  4. Anderson, Curtis D.; Anderson, Judy (2005). Electric and hybrid cars: a history. McFarland. p. 65. ISBN 9780786418725. Retrieved November 29, 2015. eighty-ninth Congress three bills referred to as Electric Vehicle Development Act of 1966.
  5. Anderson, Curtis D.; Anderson, Judy (2010). Electric and Hybrid Cars: a History. McFarland. p. 75. ISBN 9780786457427. Retrieved November 29, 2015. Federal funding for electric cars.
  6. Holusha, John (July 10, 1981). "Where is the electric car?". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  7. Ayres, Robert U.; McKenna, Richard P. (1972). "The Electric Car". Alternatives to the internal combustion engine: impacts on environmental quality. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 219. ISBN 978-0-8018-1369-6. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  8. "Mark IV Industries Inc 10-K Report". SEC. February 28, 1994. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  9. "Next: the Voltswagon?". Time. December 22, 1967. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  10. Bacon, W. Stevenson (February 1968). "New breed of batteries pack more power". Popular Science: 90–93, 206. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  11. "Next: the Voltswagon?". Time Magazine, Business Section. December 22, 1967. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  12. United States Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (1977). Determination of the effectiveness and feasibility of regenerative braking systems on electric and other automobiles. 2. US Department of Energy. p. 42. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  13. Clark, Woodrow W.; Cooke, Grant (2011). Global Energy Innovation: Why America Must Lead. ABC-CLIO. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-313-39721-9. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  14. Shacket, Sheldon R. (1979). The complete book of electric vehicles. Domus Books. p. 28.
  15. Grahame, James (September 22, 2008). "1968: AMC's Amazing Amitron Electric Car". Retro Thing: vintage gadets and technology. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  16. Irwin, Bob (March 1968). "Detroit Listening Post". Popular Mechanics. 129 (3): 26. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  17. Bryce, Robert (2011). Power Hungry: The Myths of "Green" Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future. PublicAffairs. ISBN 978-1-58648-953-3. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  18. Firor, John W. (1970). Urban Demands on Natural Resources. University of Denver Press. p. 2.
  19. The Rubber and Plastics Age. London: Rubber & Technical Press. 49: 1048. 1968.CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  20. "AMC Concept Cars". Design News. Reed Business Information. 33 (10–16): 580. 1977. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  21. "AMC Displays Show Cars". Automotive News. Crain Automotive Group. 52. 1977. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  22. Fletcher, Seth (2013). Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. pp. 79–80. ISBN 9781429922913. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  23. "Electric Cars". Automobile Quarterly. 31 (1). 1992.
  24. "AMC's Electric Car". Automotive Industries. Chilton. 138: 52. 1968.
  25. "FYI". Car and Driver. 27: 134. 1982. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  26. Dachet, Flavien (December 13, 2013). "Concept Car of the Week: AMC Amitron (1967)". Car Design News. Archived from the original on May 19, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  27. "American Motors: Innovations On A Shoe-String". muscleheaded. January 4, 2014. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  28. "Gould Inc to sell battery operations". The New York Times. May 24, 1983. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  29. "Electric carrier". Popular Science. 205 (1): 66. July 1974. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  30. Committee on Appropriations; House of Representatives; Ninety-fifth Congress; second session (1978). Department of the Interior and related agencies appropriations for 1979. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 343. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  31. "Concept 80". Iron and Steel Engineer. Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. 54: 177. 1977.
  32. Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2012). American Cars, 1973-1980: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland. p. 937. ISBN 9780786443529.
  33. Flory, Jr., J. Kelly (2012). "Concept Cars". American Cars, 1973-1980: Every Model, Year by Year. McFarland. p. 937. ISBN 9780786443529. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  34. "AMC Amitron – Vintage Electric Car Concept". Motor Trade News. March 1, 2013. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  35. "Schönes Ding: Der elektrische Stuhl". Spiegel Online (in German). March 16, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2015.

Further reading
  • Banovsky, Michael (June 10, 2014). "AMC Amitron". Weird Cars. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
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