236Electric
Vehicle Technology Explained, Second Edition
Figure 9.15The
Twike chassisFigure 9.16GM’s ‘Hy-wire’ chassis and one-body design (Reproduced by kind permission of
General Motors Corp.)
This chassis unit is based on a simple aluminium ladder frame with front and rear crush zones. The chassis
contains hydrogen tanks, drive-by-wire system controls for the steering,
cabin heaters, radiators for dispensing with excess heat from the fuel cells and the air management system. The electric motors are built into the wheels. The whole unit is elegant and compact and allows a range of bodies simply to be attached to the chassis unit, the steering and controls being connected electrically. This allows the chassis to be used as the
basis fora range of vehicles, from family saloons to sports cars.