Why develop expensive parts yourself when they are already available in series quality? This is a question that should be asked, especially in so-called start-up companies that have good ideas but only a small "development budget" and little time. This is certainly the case with the Potsdam-based company amperetta Hybrid-Drive happened. The idea of developing a powerful hybrid drive was born in 2012 and materialised in March 2013 when the company was founded.
In addition to batteries and the electric motor, a combustion engine was also required for the realisation. The Volvo Penta D3 was chosen for the latter. True to the motto: customers want quality, then they get quality. The built-in diesel engine is available with an output of 110 hp to 220 hp. Volvo also offers it with a reversing gearbox or Z-drive. For the electric drive motor, which is also used as a generator, a 28 kW synchronous motor was selected, which has an output of 15 kW in generator mode and comes from the automotive industry. The two battery banks with a combined storage capacity of around 17 kWh were also found in the same industry. Once the parts had been selected, they had to be adapted to the project and combined so that the system would not only function smoothly and efficiently on paper, but also in practice on board.
Less than two years after the company was founded, the four-person team led by Managing Director Ulrich Setzermann has succeeded and was able to present the first near-series prototype to interested visitors at this year's boot in Düsseldorf. They were happy to take the time at the amperetta stand to explain the advantages and possibilities of the hybrid drive.
The price of the system starts at €52,000. The list of accessories includes a battery capacity extension and a combustion engine preheater. The latter is recommended for cold areas in order to operate the diesel more efficiently.
