The Sunrise EV2 Project Homepage

I am the day, soon to be born
I am the new hope in the morning
I am the light, that will be dawn
I am the Sunrise just beginning...

"I am the Day" by Libera

Our Sunrise body as received

The Sunrise EV2 Project

Welcome! We are a group of dedicated electric vehicle enthusiasts whose goal is to create an affordable, high performance electric kit car that anyone of modest skill can assemble. The Sunrise EV2 is a four-passenger pure electric sports sedan, designed to meet all the safety, performance, and comfort requirements of a modern state-of-the-art automobile.

The original Sunrise was designed by Solectria Corp. using the Hypercar principles of Amory Lovins. It achieved remarkable efficiency and range, through the use of lightweight construction, innovative design, and superb aerodynamics. Unfortunately, only a handful were produced.

We bought the last unfinished Sunrise from Solectria CEO James Worden. It is being redesigned as a kit car, along the lines followed by manufacturers of light plane kits for the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association). The steps are:

• Step One: Build a working prototype, that interested parties can see and drive. Test the design and verify performance.
• Step Two: Publish plans, sufficient to build the entire car from scratch, just as we are doing now.
• Step Three: Provide key components produced from our molds and tooling, such as fiberglass body and welded chassis parts, to simplify construction.
• Step Four: Produce parts kits and subassemblies. For example, all the major parts needed to build the body, rear subframe, wiring harness, etc.
• Step Five: Offer a complete car kit. Combined with parts from a donor vehicle and purchased new on the open market, anyone who can handle a screwdriver and wrench could put it together.
• Step Six: Someday, perhaps a fully assembled production automobile. I doubt we will get to this point for years, due to the costly regulatory requirements.

Our goal is to make the Sunrise EV2 as modular and open source as possible; like a PC clone, where many different parts can be used, from many different vendors. We'll provide the basic "box". Builders can then use any motor, controller, batteries, charger, interior, and instrumentation they like. Depending on your budget and performance requirements, your Sunrise can be AC or DC, lead-acid or lithium batteries, etc.

We look forward to having a community of Sunrise EV2 builders, where members can exchange ideas, buy/sell/trade parts, and assist others in building their cars.

• Sunrise EV2 Specifications
• Project progress report

Donations for the Sunrise EV2 Project

Interested? Want to get involved? There are several ways you can help.

Design: Producing the best possible EV requires the best possible minds. The Sunrise EV2 development team has over 100 years of combined EV experience, but we are still learning and improving as we go. If you have ideas for improvements, can help with vehicle design, construction, or testing; or have skills you think we can use, please contact us!

Labor: The Sunrise EV2 prototype is being assembled at our shop in Rice MN. At present, we are building our prototype composite body and the molds to produce it. It's very labor intensive, so if you're in the area and have some time, please contact us about a visit. See and help build the prototype, and in the process learn how to build your own Sunrise EV2.

Components: Most of the parts and materials to build the Sunrise are being donated by our development team or interested individuals. Our motor, controller, and innumerable tools and shop time are being provided. Do you have any EV related parts that could be of use? Contact us and see!

Donations: Developing a car is an expensive project. The project is entirely funded by our development team and donations from interested individuals. Donations can be credited toward future purchases of Sunrise EV2 products. Send donations to the Sunrise EV2 Project c/o Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377. Send Paypal contributions to leeahart@earthlink.net. Every penny helps!

Steven Taylor's Solectria Sunrise

Created 2/4/2008 10:24 AM by admin
Updated 6/20/2009 2:10 PM by Lee

Questions or comments? Contact Lee A. Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, leeahart_at_earthlink.net