500 miles: Jeep, Dodge unveil wind tech to turn tables on EV battery range

[Yardbird]

500 miles: Jeep, Dodge unveil wind tech to turn tables on EV battery range​

Story by Prabhat Ranjan Mishra
• 2 min read


A leading global automaker has taken a significant step to boost range of EVs. Stellantis unveiled its Moving Ground Plane (MGP) technology in the wind tunnel at the research and technical center in Auburn Hills, Mich.

The new technology, installed following a $29.5 million investment, will now be able to measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, improving electric-vehicle range. It’s expected to account for up to 10% of total real-world aerodynamic drag.

The new MGP tech is likely to benefit multiple Stellantis brands, regardless of where they are sold.

Reducing drag will improve electric-vehicle range​

Mark Champine, senior vice president and head of North America engineering technical centers, range is a core consideration for customers who are transitioning to cleaner mobility through battery power.

“That’s what makes this investment so critical. By reducing drag, we improve electric-vehicle range and, ultimately, the overall customer driving experience,” said Champine.

The company claimed that optimizing aerodynamic efficiency is significant to boost the driving range of electrified vehicles on a single charge. This enhancement will lead to improved efficiency and benefit customers with longer EV ranges. It will also help reduce battery sizes, which in turn could lead to cost and weight savings.

Innovative aero-acoustic wind tunnel simulates real-world travel​

The upgrade to the company’s innovative aero-acoustic wind tunnel simulates real-world travel while allowing test vehicles to remain static. Belts suspended by cushions of air enable wheel movement at all four corners, while a fifth belt runs longitudinally beneath the vehicle, mimicking on-road travel conditions. This realistic simulation allows for more precise testing and aerodynamic improvements, said the company in a press release.

Jeep, Ram, and Dodge are launching their first electric vehicles in the US later this year as Stellantis looks to reverse slumping sales. The 2025 Ram 1500 REV is expected to have over 350 miles driving range with a standard 168 kWh battery pack. The company said a massive 229 kWh battery option will be available, enabling up to 500 miles of driving range, reported Electrek.

Champine highlighted that an electric vehicle’s range is increased by improved aerodynamics, which can also lead to potential reduction in battery-size.

Champine maintained that this has positive implications from more efficient packaging-to-weight savings that, in the end, will enhance the customer experience.

“This apparatus is a great addition to virtual tools, which may not account for factors such as tire deformation that can compromise aerodynamics. With this technology we can replicate such conditions and capture real-time data to explore solutions,” said Champine.

Recently, the company has partnered with Factorial to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) powered by solid-state battery technology.

The company also claimed that it will launch a demonstration fleet of all-new Dodge Charger Daytona vehicles by 2026 equipped with Factorial’s solid-state batteries, marking a key next step in the commercialization of this promising technology.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...&cvid=fd128ddd98b74f449ae5ba4effa484f8&ei=103

 

[mikeru]

Are you kidding me? Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but what's innovative about reducing drag? It's something car makers have known ever since cars were able to travel more than 5 mph. It's not something that only works for EV's either. Any vehicle will be more fuel efficient if it's more aerodynamic. The problem is (at least with Americans) most people don't want to drive around in cars that look like a Prius. It's like the heads at Stellantis think people will conform if they present is as something new to improve the range of EV's. It's true that some will, but I don't see this as something that will save them from themselves. How stupid do they think their customers are?

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

Given Carlos T. Mentality, he thinks we are all stupid .

Unfortunately most of us are not, and vote with our wallets.

Which is why they build nothing that sells. Sales are down 40+% and the stock price is down almost 60%.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Are you kidding me? Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but what's innovative about reducing drag? It's something car makers have known ever since cars were able to travel more than 5 mph. It's not something that only works for EV's either. Any vehicle will be more fuel efficient if it's more aerodynamic. The problem is (at least with Americans) most people don't want to drive around in cars that look like a Prius. It's like the heads at Stellantis think people will conform if they present is as something new to improve the range of EV's. It's true that some will, but I don't see this as something that will save them from themselves. How stupid do they think their customers are?

The innovation is the ability to isolate the effect of spinning tires and wheels alone on drag, to include tire deformation under lateral loads, etc. It allows only the wheels/tires to move while the body remains still so as to remove all the other variables and to allow changes to made and measured much more quickly than standard wind tunnel testing.

If we're now allowed to expand the conversation on what an article is saying without having to justify it, the original press release makes it clear that they use it for ICE vehicles as well and have already used it in facilities for smaller vehicles. This one is just the first for bigger/heavier ones. The focus is on EVs in the press release because "range anxiety" is a bigger pain point for potential EV buyers then potential ICE buyers.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ogy-to-enhance-ev-aerodynamics-302284124.html is a better read (the original press release) vs the article's attempt to paraphrase.

 

[mikeru]

The innovation is the ability to isolate the effect of spinning tires and wheels alone on drag, to include tire deformation under lateral loads, etc. It allows only the wheels/tires to move while the body remains still so as to remove all the other variables and to allow changes to made and measured much more quickly than standard wind tunnel testing.

If we're now allowed to expand the conversation on what an article is saying without having to justify it, the original press release makes it clear that they use it for ICE vehicles as well and have already used it in facilities for smaller vehicles. This one is just the first for bigger/heavier ones. The focus is on EVs in the press release because "range anxiety" is a bigger pain point for potential EV buyers then potential ICE buyers.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-rel...ogy-to-enhance-ev-aerodynamics-302284124.html is a better read (the original press release) vs the article's attempt to paraphrase.

Ignoring the snark, (I never said you can't expand a conversation) you again don't see to see my point. Maybe that's on me.

These types of testing aren't new. Designing cars to be more aero and lighter has been going on for a long time. Improving the testing techniques described in the article is innovative. But the overall goal is nothing new.

Yes, people have range anxiety when it comes to EV's. But I'd argue that that anxiety would be better addressed if instead of trying to greatly increase range, build more more functional charging stations. For decades cars were designed to get at least 300 miles on a tank of gas. I've owned lots of gas powered cars with that kind of range. Ev's being sold now have that kind of range. But I've never had range anxiety because I didn't have any trouble refilling whenever I needed to. If the powers that be really want people to switch to EV's they need to stop putting so much into making them more aero (ugly) and instead invest in increasing the charging infrastructure.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Ignoring the snark, (I never said you can't expand a conversation) you again don't see to see my point. Maybe that's on me.

These types of testing aren't new. Designing cars to be more aero and lighter has been going on for a long time. Improving the testing techniques described in the article is innovative. But the overall goal is nothing new.

Yes, people have range anxiety when it comes to EV's. But I'd argue that that anxiety would be better addressed if instead of trying to greatly increase range, build more more functional charging stations. For decades cars were designed to get at least 300 miles on a tank of gas. I've owned lots of gas powered cars with that kind of range. Ev's being sold now have that kind of range. But I've never had range anxiety because I didn't have any trouble refilling whenever I needed to. If the powers that be really want people to switch to EV's they need to stop putting so much into making them more aero (ugly) and instead invest in increasing the charging infrastructure.

The article never claims that the goal of reducing drag is the innovative part. Neither does the underlying press release. Both the title and first paragraph are clear on the testing tech being the focus. I admit to the snark, but thought it was somewhat in kind. I don't take the internet that seriously, you can't eat me or take my birthday so it's all in fun.

I disagree on charging stations being the cure to range anxiety, though it plays a part.

Part of the appeal of an EV is reduce fuel costs, and that is much more pronounced with home based off peak charging. Longer innate range is a larger radius for day trips that don't require the cost and bother of commercial charging.

I don't know that EVs will get to the point that they can refuel as quickly as an ICE vehicle in the near future, either, though smart people who like money are working on the problem so maybe it will. With current tech, even if charging stations were as common as gas pumps it still takes roughly 15 minutes to add 200 miles of range under the best of conditions. It's much more efficient and enjoyable if you can make your destination and charge over night at the hotel or wherever and the slower charging is better for battery longevity.


While I understand I'm the minority in the market place, I care quite a bit about range regardless. I don't expect to always have a fuel station available and I prefer the flexibility more range provides as far as when and where to stop. I always option the biggest fuel tank available.

I would need at least 400 miles of range under the worst conditions to seriously consider an EV just due to the day trips my wife and I routinely do to neighboring cities, hiking locations, etc. Even then I wouldn't consider one as an only vehicle.

There are some decent looking EVs. *IF* I was interested in one, the F-150 Lightning Flash would probably be on the top of my list. The new Scout is almost certainly vaporware at the price they claim they'll launch at, but if it were a real option it would be in consideration as well.

 

[mikeru]

The article never claims that the goal of reducing drag is the innovative part. Neither does the underlying press release. Both the title and first paragraph are clear on the testing tech being the focus. I admit to the snark, but thought it was somewhat in kind. I don't take the internet that seriously, you can't eat me or take my birthday so it's all in fun.

I disagree on charging stations being the cure to range anxiety, though it plays a part.

Part of the appeal of an EV is reduce fuel costs, and that is much more pronounced with home based off peak charging. Longer innate range is a larger radius for day trips that don't require the cost and bother of commercial charging.

I don't know that EVs will get to the point that they can refuel as quickly as an ICE vehicle in the near future, either, though smart people who like money are working on the problem so maybe it will. With current tech, even if charging stations were as common as gas pumps it still takes roughly 15 minutes to add 200 miles of range under the best of conditions. It's much more efficient and enjoyable if you can make your destination and charge over night at the hotel or wherever and the slower charging is better for battery longevity.


While I understand I'm the minority in the market place, I care quite a bit about range regardless. I don't expect to always have a fuel station available and I prefer the flexibility more range provides as far as when and where to stop. I always option the biggest fuel tank available.

I would need at least 400 miles of range under the worst conditions to seriously consider an EV just due to the day trips my wife and I routinely do to neighboring cities, hiking locations, etc. Even then I wouldn't consider one as an only vehicle.

There are some decent looking EVs. *IF* I was interested in one, the F-150 Lightning Flash would probably be on the top of my list. The new Scout is almost certainly vaporware at the price they claim they'll launch at, but if it were a real option it would be in consideration as well.

I apologize if my posts came off snarky. They were not intended to be. I view this forum as a place to share ideas and thoughts. There's really no place for people who just want to make waves.

It's fine to disagree on this, and in the end I can only speak for myself. I have no plans to buy an EV. I would only buy one if I needed a new car and for whatever reason my only option was electric. Fuel costs are not really a concern. So my range anxiety would definitely be caused by the lack of charging options with the current charging infrastructure. Who knows when that might improve or if it will ever be as good as it is currently with gas and diesel filling stations. Since we're retiring at the end of the year and plan to do a lot of traveling by car, I don't want to eliminate areas of the country just because we might have trouble finding a place to charge our car.

 

[Docwagon1776]

I apologize if my posts came off snarky. They were not intended to be. I view this forum as a place to share ideas and thoughts. There's really no place for people who just want to make waves.

It's fine to disagree on this, and in the end I can only speak for myself. I have no plans to buy an EV. I would only buy one if I needed a new car and for whatever reason my only option was electric. Fuel costs are not really a concern. So my range anxiety would definitely be caused by the lack of charging options with the current charging infrastructure. Who knows when that might improve or if it will ever be as good as it is currently with gas and diesel filling stations. Since we're retiring at the end of the year and plan to do a lot of traveling by car, I don't want to eliminate areas of the country just because we might have trouble finding a place to charge our car.

My wife and I travel a lot (empty nesters, flexible work schedule, lots of time off due to seniority level and negotiated contract). Many of the trips would be impossible or much more inflexible with an EV. For me, I just enjoy research/investigation and staying on top of tech development. I can't see buying an EV in the next decade, but I'm open to it as a secondary vehicle if the tech/price/feature web gets to where I want it to be.

 

[skates15]

Oh, I thought this is what we were talking about.

 

[CanRebel]

Are you kidding me? Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but what's innovative about reducing drag? It's something car makers have known ever since cars were able to travel more than 5 mph. It's not something that only works for EV's either. Any vehicle will be more fuel efficient if it's more aerodynamic. The problem is (at least with Americans) most people don't want to drive around in cars that look like a Prius. It's like the heads at Stellantis think people will conform if they present is as something new to improve the range of EV's. It's true that some will, but I don't see this as something that will save them from themselves. How stupid do they think their customers are?

They have been getting a lot bad press lately. So I think they wanted to release something.

FYI. As Doc mentioned. Stellantis has bunch of locations already doing it. It's just marketing and part of their Union contract.

 

[Dusty]

Are you kidding me? Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but what's innovative about reducing drag? It's something car makers have known ever since cars were able to travel more than 5 mph. It's not something that only works for EV's either. Any vehicle will be more fuel efficient if it's more aerodynamic. The problem is (at least with Americans) most people don't want to drive around in cars that look like a Prius. It's like the heads at Stellantis think people will conform if they present is as something new to improve the range of EV's. It's true that some will, but I don't see this as something that will save them from themselves. How stupid do they think their customers are?

I don't think he thinks customers are stupid. I think he thinks that because of governmental mandates to sell only electric vehicles with a deficiency of range, customers will be forced into a vehicle regardless of how it looks or the driving experience.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 121710 miles.

 

[Redbob]

Are you kidding me? Maybe I'm just in a mood today, but what's innovative about reducing drag? It's something car makers have known ever since cars were able to travel more than 5 mph. It's not something that only works for EV's either. Any vehicle will be more fuel efficient if it's more aerodynamic. The problem is (at least with Americans) most people don't want to drive around in cars that look like a Prius. It's like the heads at Stellantis think people will conform if they present is as something new to improve the range of EV's. It's true that some will, but I don't see this as something that will save them from themselves. How stupid do they think their customers are?

That battery that theoretically gets you a "500 mile range" (yes, those are sarcasm quotes): how much weight does it add to the truck, and what is the remaining load capacity? Can it even carry 2 people?

 

[urbex]

The innovation is the ability to isolate the effect of spinning tires and wheels alone on drag,

This is hardly new...unless you consider 15 year old tech to be new.

WindShear - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[GTyankee]

come to think about it.

I had a 1954 Chevy Bel Air before i went into the Navy
It had aerodynamics, i had forgotten about it.
There was a sheet metal panel under the engine compartment.
When i did my first oil change, that panel did not go back on.
What made me think of it, was that the 2024 Nascar vehicles, have something similar under the body



They have gone 1 step further
They even direct where the Air under the Nascar racer is directed

Next Gen 101: Steve Letarte explains Next Gen's rear diffuser | NASCAR Next Gen

Steve Letarte joins Alex Weaver to discuss NASCAR's Next Gen car and the rear diffuser. Next Gen 101: Steve Letarte explains Next Gen's Rear Diffuser | NASCA...

www.youtube.com

 

[GTyankee]

More about how a Nascar is built, including aero, brakes, suspension, etc.

How a NASCAR Cup Series Race Car Works

An in-depth, x-ray style look inside a NASCAR Cup Series race car.CREDITSJacob O'Neal - Modeling, animation, texturing, vfx, music, narrative scriptWesley O'...

www.youtube.com

 

[Docwagon1776]

This is hardly new...unless you consider 15 year old tech to be new.

WindShear - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Windshear is a single belt. How can you isolate each wheel and tire during a single test?

 

[urbex]

Windshear is a single belt. How can you isolate each wheel and tire during a single test?

Never once in my life did I find myself cruising down the freeway with only a single wheel/tire rotating...

 

[Barr2255]

My experience, I like the idea of EV vehicles and Tesla is really doing well with their design. My work has a fleet of Teslas and regular gassers. The Teslas we have are base models, the range is 250 miles, the cars are seriously awesome the 250 miles holds true rather running the ac or heater, radio whatever.

With that said I’m a land surveyor/engineer jumping in a Tesla to go to the county recorders office is great. But if I’m going into the field I’ll opt for the f-350 gasser that has a 600 mile range and 46 gallon tank. I don’t want to have to stop and charge for 20 mins 3 times during the work day.

I truly think right now given technology a hybrid is the way to go for a commuter/road trip vehicle. I have no problem burning dinosaurs for fuel and harming the environment with lithium ion batteries, it is what it is. I just bought a grand highlander hybrid for the wife and it’s awesome. I could of bought a Tesla but the charge times at a charge station and inconveinace of charging just sucks. Until technology catches up it will continue to be a limiting factor. Time is money and I’m sure as hell not going to bill a client for the the hour of charge time throughout the day it takes to charge an EV vehicle.

I heard there is rumors of ram making a truck that is similar to a train… diesel engine to power the electric power plant… that’s something I would get on board with.

Anyways just my opinion I know everyone’s mileage varies.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Never once in my life did I find myself cruising down the freeway with only a single wheel/tire rotating...

Did you think that was the point of the machine? Stellantis spent millions of dollars to recreate driving with one tire spinning on the freeway and three stationary? The other belts are just for show, then? I'm really not sure where you're trying to go with this. I'm going to guess you never bothered to read the press release.

Changes to wheelbase and track testing, which can take as much as two hours in conventional wind tunnels, can now be done in minutes.

You don't see the benefit in being able to test multiple variables in the span of an hour that before took days?

This tests more variables more precisely in a given span of time and does it cheaper than previous testing methods. That matters when you have a profit motive along with limited time, talent, and budget. That is the innovation, an evolution toward efficiency which is how mature technologies tend to develop.