Taiga Motors Electric Snowmobile

[jegster]

While surfing YouTube, I came across a small startup company called Taiga Motors who are going to release a production electric sled in 2019. Interesting....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNlcOre5fWM

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https://electrek.co/2018/03/03/tesla-inspired-taiga-electric-snowmobile/


https://taigamotors.ca/

 

[89sandman]

Mono shock front end seems a little weird. Anyone able to translate the kilowatt to horse power numbers? This would be a dream if they get to the point of being competitive with a 2 stroke. No more engine problems, no top end rebuild, power valve cleaning, no bottom end worries. BEST of all no more archaic CVT clutches!!! Price is there right now for a start up, wonder if as production builds the price will drop? Under 500lbs RTR.

 

[jegster]

I clicked "Show More" under the video and it stated a claimed 107 hp and 184lb-ft of torque. At the 500lbs and priced comparably, I'm sure it will fit a niche.

 

[Givemeaboost]

That's a lot of torque and being electric it should almost happen instantly.


Ken.........

 

[donbrown]

https://taigamotors.ca/ts2/

The devil is in the details.

What is proprietory and what is off the shelf from existing sled manufacturers.

Sent an email to them asking.

Type motor.

Gear ratios

Type battery.

Parts for chassis / drivetrain.

It seems the greenies could try to make this the new standard for low emission requirements. Where riding areas are restricted to use least polluting readily available commercial technologies.

Or maybe drive a few miles to do ice fishing or check traps.

 

[donbrown]

There is a new battery coming out (less than 5 years) replacing the Lithium ... more energy per mass and weight. along with less cost.

Developed by Toyota to go after TESLA.

 

[89sandman]

Range would be it's biggest hurdle. Says 62 miles but that would probably be on groomed trail, wonder what mountain miles would be, half?

 

[jegster]

Agreed, range is the probably the biggest question mark. Takes alot of energy to spin a tall track through deep snow.

 

[kidwoo]

I clicked "Show More" under the video and it stated a claimed 107 hp and 184lb-ft of torque. At the 500lbs and priced comparably, I'm sure it will fit a niche.

Man that's pretty freakin good, considering zero change in those numbers with elevation.

 

[jegster]

Very true. While 107hp might sound a little low at first glance, considering density altitude and that n/a engines lose about 3% of their power for every 1000' of altitude, the sled should still have sufficient zip. I bet the direct drive helps response too.

 

[89sandman]

With the torque being higher at elevation than a n/a sled I wonder how it would compare?

 

[longtrack156]

Very true. While 107hp might sound a little low at first glance, considering density altitude and that n/a engines lose about 3% of their power for every 1000' of altitude, the sled should still have sufficient zip. I bet the direct drive helps response too.

I remember a 900 150hp King Cat was dynoed at 72hp at the track

 

[Snowmow]

I remember a 900 150hp King Cat was dynoed at 72hp at the track

Or a new ski doo.

68 track HP.

 

[89sandman]

Never realized the pos cvt's were that inefficient.

 

[SRXSRULE]

Never realized the pos cvt's were that inefficient.

Its not just the CVT that soaks up the power... Its the design of the drivetrain. When your driveline makes 90* turns multiple times its robing lots of power.

50% loss from engine crank to track has been pretty common every since the track dynos showed up.

 

[jegster]

Also, without any CVT's, it saves some rotating mass.
Since the electric motor on the Taiga sled is on top of the tunnel running the belt drive, I'm guessing the batteries are in the belly to keep the CG low.

 

[jegster]

On a separate note, I wish them good luck in their quest. Turning a prototype into a manufactured product is no small feat. Dealing with vendors, timelines, economies of scale, and the almighty dollar have halted many companies.

 

[spoon]

Taiga in Revy

Met with the Taiga boys on Saturday in Revy on Boulder, drivetrain is the great thing with the sled. Rest of sled is a work in progress. Chassis looks futuristic but is really behind in handling and ergonomics. 3 amibitious young guys doing what dozens of engineers do at bigger companies is a great achievement though. Most of the body is covering nothing and feels twice as big as most other sleds to stand on. Asked about just being able to buy drive system and they said it was too much work to install in existing sled as they did it to a Ski-doo for first prototypes. Their market to play to first is the utility market such as ski hills. Range and handling arent as big an issue. Could see this drive in a Cat or Doo chassis as brake is already on driveshaft (motor sits in place of jackshaft and has belt drive to trackshaft). I can see being on an electric sled in the mountains in 5 yrs or less with battery tech advancing the way it is. 120 Hp is rating of motor in chassis and the torque curve is adjustable. That is without power robbing CVT and jackshaft so it might be very comparable to an 800 for track HP and torque would be double. No noise except for track turning.

 

[89sandman]

Maybe one of the big guys will absorb them and speed the process along.

 

[inspector01]

I'm excited for this technology, electric dirt bikes are very impressive already and this will be a savior of motorsports in the long run as we eliminate noise and air pollution which are currently the biggest complaints. It has a ways to go, but it will get there.