The Green machine
Rinspeed has come up with an innovative first of its kind solution for many problems associated with urban mobility in the form of a new modular mobility system named as Dock+Go concept. Presently based on a SmartForTwo car, the new concept designed by Frank M. Rinderknecht adds an additional detachable third axle to the small electric car. It provides extra space for storage and enhances the range of the electric car. The third axle doesn\’t depend on the already limited energy of the electric engine. Rather, it is self-powered by a battery or a hydrogen fuel cell-based combustion engine. This also helps recharge the battery of the base car and allows it to travel to a fairly long distance. The Swiss concept automaker also says the Dock+Go concept could be applied on all other small electric cars as well in future.
Green factor
Electric cars are already gaining popularity as greenest mobility option in the over crowded 21st century urban spaces. With the introduction of Dock+Go, the green features of an electric car will be further enhanced in many ways. Firstly, it increases the range of electric cars by up to 120 kilometer from the now 60-70 kilometer range per recharge. The Dock+Go concept is able to do so with the help of an \”energy pack\” containing an additional internal combustion engine powered by a battery or a hydrogen fuel cells. Secondly, the docked third axle drives the rotating second axle of the base vehicle and helps to recharge the on-board battery of the. Thirdly, and most importantly, the extra third axle does not depend on electricity for powering itself. Instead, it depends on solar energy for recharging the battery. This can be done at home by placing detaching the docked axle and placing it in the sunlight at home. Thus, it will not only reduces the household\’s electricity bills but also help them realize the dream of completely CO2 free ride on their small electric car. Moreover, the variants depending on hydrogen fuel-cells for powering the third axle will release oxygen in the air.
The powertrain
The Dock+Go concept can be applied on any existing electric car. So the basic powertrain will vary according to the base car. However, the \”vario-hybrid\”, as called by the designer Frank M. Rinderknecht, will make some positive enhancements in terms of the range of the electric car, its capacity to carry additional luggage, space and also speed. At present, the company has tested the concept on a two-seater Smart electric car. And according to the information made available by Rinspeed, the docked third axle allows the electric car to go up to 120 km on a single recharge. This is significantly more than the present capacity of the small two-seater electric car which is about 60-70 kilometer per recharge.
The highs
The highs of the new concept need to be seen in the context of problems associated with mobility in the over crowded urban spaces. These are related to excessive vehicular green house gas (GHG) emission, problems of parking space, traffic jam and high fuel cost. In the light of these problems, many writers have voted small electric cars as the most favorable alternative under present circumstances. But there are certain limitations of electric cars which have jeopardized their popularity despite of myriad positive reviews. These limitations exist in the form of less speed, small size, small range for traveling, unavailability of recharging stations and addition to household electricity bill. They have also been said to have no significant net contribution towards GHG emission because of their dependence on electricity which is mostly produced by GHG emitting power plants.
The present concept promises to remove most of the limitations of an electric car discussed here. It will enhance the speed, range and space inside the car. The additional space could be used for variety of purposes other than a long distance weekend tour by small families. For example, it can be used by the fast food and courier delivery services in the city. Also, the additional third axle can be detached from the car anytime and left in the garage at home when not necessary.The small size of the car during short distance travel will not become a burden on traffic and parking space.
The lows
There seems no lows with the concept at present. However, more may be known after its launch.
Cost and availability
There is no information about the cost and availability of the new concept as present. Rinspeed says it will be first presented in the Geneva Motor Show during March 2012.
Word around the web
Tim Pollard of the Car Magazine says,
It (Dock+Go) adds a bespoke trailer to the Smart city car, letting customers drive into town two-up in the regular Smart, or go on a longer journey to the seaside with all the clobber (for two, no families allowed – unless the children can be flatpacked into the boot) stuffed into the trailer.
Wayne Cunningham of the CNET Reviews says,
The biggest problem with current electric car technology is limited range. People want more than the 80 miles most electric cars can realistically achieve. Rinspeed offers a solution.
Noah Joseph of the Autoblog says,
Called the Dock+Go mobility concept, the Rinspeed design provides an interesting approach to a modern problem: While city cars (like the Smart ForTwo upon which this concept is based) may be a practical solution for those living in crowded cities, they don\’t offer the kind of capacity needed for longer trips. Rinspeed\’s solution isn\’t to make the city car bigger, but to make it expandable with a third set of wheels and an extended cargo box.