posted 12 years ago
www.urbee.net
Well, of course it's only a prototype, and it's not entirely from 3-D printed components. However, the goal is to finally make the thing from mostly 3-D printed components. Yeah, it'll be a while before enough 3-D printers suitable for this project exist to make mass production possible. Until then, maybe a more conventional design is merited (the existing prototype has a steel frame). The designers plan for a parallel hybrid configuration with a single cylinder ethanol fueled engine. Based on the figures provided and the specs, the fuel economy should be equivalent to 200 mpg. With that kind of fuel economy, charging the batteries with photovoltaics and even making ethanol fuel would be practical and cost effective.
