Project Lead - JA Duvall
Project Team - GG Grindle, J Kanode, B Duerstock
The automotive industry is in the beginning stages of perhaps its most significant transformation ever; shifting from gas powered ICE to EVs. Automakers are projected to spend over $500 Billion by 2030 and EV sales are projected to be roughly 30% of all vehicle sales by 2030. Virtually every automaker has accepted this reality, and they are adjusting their companies for the future. In 2022, Ford announced it would split off its EV business from its main unit to allow it to grow to a project of 2 million vehicles by 2026. Mercedes-Benz expects 50% of its vehicles to be EV by 2025 and to be fully electric by 2030. While this automotive transformation is coming, it is going to have a huge impact on WC users. Currently, many WC users have modified vans which include lowering the floor by up to 14 inches. At this point, virtually all EV are designed with batteries under the floor of the vehicle which makes these types of modifications challenging or impossible for EV vans. Additionally, many MW user drivers who transfer to the driver seat prefer vans because it is easier to stow their MW in the back through the side door. The increased height of EV vans will make their transfers much harder and poses significant risk for transfer related injuries. Additionally, EV chargers have not been designed for WC users. The Specific Aims are to iteratively design SA1 a new style of accessible parking spot platform which would allow many WC users to use EVs without the need for expensive modifications to the vehicle frame and SA2 a charging station setup and interface which is usable by WC users. The SA are to progress the design from virtual design (SA1) to physical mock-up (SA2) to full design and specifications ready for production (SA3). The stages of development for this project will start with proof of concept and progress to proof of product. The outcome of this project will be a fully developed and evaluated accessible parking platform which will reduce the need for expensive EV modifications and allow for WC users to use EV charging stations.
