The simply concluded Worldwide Electrical Mobility Showcase held in KLCC had no scarcity of shows centred round electrification, however none stood out fairly like this one did, just because it seemed fairly misplaced amidst all the trendy parts on name.
Your eyes don’t deceive you. That’s a 1994 Mitsubishi LO49 Pajero, and a public works division (JKR) unit at that. Decked out in a yellow and gray exterior scheme previously, the car was once a typical sight within the 90s. In fact, greater than three many years on, it’s now nothing greater than a legacy, of a time passed by.
So why then was this specific car on present on the Nationwide EV Pavilion space of the occasion? Effectively, that’s as a result of it’s an electrical car, or slightly one transformed into an EV by the division. It’s really the second such car of the sort to endure the conversion into an EV, the primary being a low-powered proof of idea train with a 1993 Pajero again in 2021, the complete mission being accomplished in 41 days.
This one, often known as the JKR EVC 2, scales the tech up, primarily commissioned to reply a number of questions, from gleaning in-depth data about conversion facets to wanting on the viability of changing the federal government’s fleet of previous inner combustion engine (ICE) automobiles to electrical ones. Because it seems, the mission has additionally helped to outline insurance policies, offering useful data for the EV conversion (EVC) pointers being drafted by the highway transport division (JPJ).
Some notes in regards to the Pajero EV. Its diesel mill has been changed by a 90 kW (120 hp) everlasting magnet synchronous reluctance motor which gives round 60 to 65 kW of most steady output and 235 Nm of twist. With energy despatched to the rear wheels, the EVC 2 has a most velocity of 120 km/h and accomplishes the 0-60 km/h run in 17 seconds.
The electrical motor is juiced by a 58.36 kWh LiFePo4 (lithium iron phosphate or LFP) battery, which gives the EVC 2 a most journey vary of 200 km. Charging is by way of AC solely, with a 6.6 kW onboard charger getting the battery from a zero to 90% state of cost in round eight hours.
The battery, which sits on the rear of the car, weighs 400 kg, primarily making it a like for like substitute for the discarded engine and different {hardware} on the entrance, with the load being redistributed to the again of the automotive. There’s round 75 kg of extra weight, led to by electrical elements (motor, inverter, DC-to-DC converter), and the suspension has been suitably modified.
Work on the automotive started on September 12 final 12 months, with the mission involving a variety of events, together with JKR’s mechanical and electrical division groups in addition to these from collaboration companions EMAR Know-how, UniKL, BateriKu, Vector Labs and Celcom.
Preliminary work – from October to December – consisted of the elimination of the Pajero’s engine and doing up the bodywork, together with portray the automotive. Throughout the identical interval, procurement of {hardware} and structure design was undertaken, and from March to mid-June, element set up and system integration work was carried out, with working trials starting after that.
By the way, although it’s a prototype, WDP 4161 is totally road-legal, with the division being given a two-year approval to run the car as a R&D testbed by the JPJ. Apparently, the highway tax – which is in fact zero – for the EVC 2 is vaild all the way in which to 2027, suggesting that highway legality for it might prolong all the way in which to then. EV conversions are at the moment not authorized however authorisation can given by the JPJ in particular instances, corresponding to for demonstrators or testing.
Whereas fascinating, the initiative to transform the Pajero can also be intriguing, on condition that the division is related to the development of roads and authorities infrastructure, and EV conversions are effectively off the scope for it. Why then, was the query posed to Megat Zuhairy Megat Tajuddin, former engineering director of JKR, the person behind the electrical Pajero.
“Why is JKR making conversions? Everybody thinks JKR builds roads and authorities buildings and infrastructure. Sure, that’s our core enterprise, however one among our roles can also be sustaining the federal government fleet, and given the nation’s goal of working in direction of a low-carbon footprint, it’s only pure to have a look at methods to affect the federal government’s car fleet,” he mentioned.
“Again in 2021, the division was requested to see the way it might help with that goal. From the JKR perspective, I considered how we might enhance the infrastructure of offering EV chargers in authorities buildings or in areas involving public roads,” he mentioned.
At that time, Megat mentioned he wanted an EV to know the necessities. “I didn’t have the finances to purchase a brand new automotive, however we discovered a number of companions, one among which was wanting into EV conversions, and so we determined to discover that avenue,” he mentioned. As for the selection of the Pajero, it was just about ordained. “After I requested a car for conversion, the JKR workshop handed a listing of previous Pajeros that it was prepared to offer for the mission,” he defined.
Whereas it began off as an train to ship an EV for figuring out infrastructure necessities, the mission shortly grew to become bigger than the car, evolving into an goal to make it possible for EV conversions had been viable and possible in Malaysia. “Though it began out as an inner mission, we have now now been known as to be a part of the nationwide EV initiative as a member for course of and process,” he mentioned.
Apart from aiding the institution of conversion pointers, he mentioned it has additionally opened the highway for brand new alternatives, particularly for the nation. “One is that with the intention to perform conversions to required laws, it’s crucial to make sure that those that are doing that work are competent,” he acknowledged.
As such, coaching turns into essential, and so the thought is to ultimately set up certification for workshops, beginning with JKR’s personal workshops. “This can present a mannequin or reference for any new EVC workshops within the nation, non-public or public,” he mentioned. He added that conversions would additionally profit native element producers, as components will certainly be wanted for the exercise.
The price of the Pajero conversion? Round RM150,000, which doesn’t make for a superb enterprise case, however with scale this may simply be halved and ultimately trimmed additional, Megat defined. “In fact it has to have economies of scale. Doing one will not be possible, however go into 1000’s and it’ll alter. The bigger image is the way it will profit native element producers,” he mentioned.
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