Piëch Automotive launches the Mark Zero electric car. Notable features of the vehicle include its battery. The Swiss manufacturer claims it can be charged to 80% capacity in just 4:40 minutes.
The Mark Zero is described as an electric 'Grand Tourer' (GT). The vehicle has a range of 500 kilometres and uses a special type of battery that generates hardly any heat during charging and discharging. This offers significant advantages. For instance, this lower heat production allows higher currents to flow through the battery cells, allowing for shorter charging times. According to Piëch Automotive, the battery can be charged to 80% capacity in 4:40 minutes using a fast charger.
Weight reduction thanks to air cooling
Because it heats up significantly less than regular batteries, the Mark Zero's battery can be cooled using only air. This, according to the manufacturer, allows for a weight reduction of 200 kilograms, bringing the total weight of the Mark Zero to less than 1,800 kg.
The batteries were developed by DESTEN Group, a Chinese partner of Piëch Automotive. The charging infrastructure for these batteries was developed by Qindao TGOOD Electric, a consortium of Chinese and German engineers founded in 2004. TGOOD has over 210,000 charging stations in more than 300 cities worldwide.
Three asynchronous 150 kW motors
The vehicle is powered by asynchronous motors on the axles. One asynchronous motor with an output of 150 kW is placed on the front axle, while two of these motors can be found on the rear axle. According to Piëch Automotive, this configuration provides the typical sports car feel. With these engines, the Mark Zero can accelerate to 100 kilometres per hour in 3.2 seconds, while top speed is 250 kilometres per hour.
The Mark Zero from Piëch Automotive
Another striking feature of the Mark One is the modular platform on which the vehicle is based. The platform can be fitted with different types of powertrains. Think electric motors, but also hybrid drive systems and conventional internal combustion engines. In time, Piëch Automotive plans to build more car models based on the vehicle platform. For instance, the company has plans for a two-seater car, a four-seater model and a sporty SUV.
Keeping up-to-date for longer
Piëch Automotive also points out that the modular vehicle platform makes it easier to keep the vehicle up-to-date in the long term. Thus, software hardware as well as software components of the vehicle can be easily renewed or replaced, according to the manufacturer. The Swiss company also plans to supply the modular platform to other manufacturers in the B2B market.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: Piëch Automotive
