Mobility

Competing with electrical energy

André Gonçalves, one of the two engineers behind the Portuguese prototype T3EV, hopes that it will be able to compete in the National Off-Road Championship next year, thereby paving the way for a new, exclusive electric vehicle category

At first glance, the presence of an off-road buggy among hybrid and electric vehicles may seem out of place, but perhaps that's why the groundbreaking T3EV competition vehicle ended up being one of the main attractions of the 2021 Hybrid and Electric Motor Show (SAHE by its acronym in Portuguese) held in Porto.

Totally electric and developed exclusively in Portugal by the engineering company ADESS with the sponsorship of Galp, the T3EV is still a prototype but has already shown its potential at the Baja TT Capital dos Vinhos de Portugal event held in Reguengos de Monsaraz, and the first real tests conducted on the ground have left a highly positive impression. The members of the development team hope it will be able to compete with combustion-engine T3s as soon as next year, or at least race with them in the same events. Even though we´re classed in a different category [from T3 vehicles], that´s the goal”, says André Gonçalves, one of the head engineers at ADESS – Advanced Design and Engineering System Solutions, AG.

Moreover, André Gonçalves argues that it may not be long before “an exclusive electric car category appears” and that they will be racing side by side with traditional competition vehicles with internal combustion engines.

For the time being, the main features of this off-road vehicle are two separate engines that enable the driver to control the front and rear wheels independently, a 54 kWh double battery, in addition to instant torque, which is standard in electric cars. In addition, “we have 2,000 Nm per axle, or in other words, a considerable amount, and a combined power of 536 HP”, adds André Gonçalves. These features enable this buggy to reach a maximum speed of 140 km/h with a range of 70 km in race mode and 150 km in cruise mode, which makes it particularly suitable for competitions such as the Baja events, as they are short-distance rallies.

GALP GATHERING SPEED

Galp, the official sponsor of the project, views the investment in this vehicle as the natural continuation of their significant commitment to “electric mobility dating back as far as 2010”, says Rui Vieira, head of electric mobility at the energy corporation. Furthermore, he acknowledges that although this is not the main focus of Galp's activity, the company has a strategic interest “in any kind of project involving the testing of this new technology”.

As far as Rui Vieira is concerned, projects such as the T3EV electric buggy are showcasing the potential of electric mobility

Of course, he concludes, the expansion of rapid and ultra-rapid charging points “will be the area of greatest development in the coming years”, but Galp will never stop “supporting projects with innovative ideas in the area of electric mobility”.