Bricklin EV-1 Owner's Manual
electronically limited to 5,000 rpm. You will quickly ascertain that first gear is simply needed to assist
the start-up, especially on inclines, but 2
nd
gear is all that is normally needed up to 45-50 MPH.
With an electric vehicle, you should never use the electric motor to “hold a position” on an incline.
Use the brakes to hold the vehicles position. Using the electric motor to maintain a position on an
incline may possibly damage the electric motor, though with an automatic transmission this damage
potential is greatly alleviated.
Driving
Take care during acceleration your first few weeks of driving this car. A great deal of the sense of
speed and acceleration is derived from the “roar of the engine” we are accustomed to in ICE vehicles.
There is no roar from an electric vehicle and you can find yourself exceeding the speed limit in just a
few seconds.
Similarly, there is no engine compression to slow you down when you take your foot off the throttle.
The vehicle rolls freely down the road with no electric power applied and you will quickly learn to glide
long distances using no energy at all, in many cases actually accelerating in even slight downhill
terrains.
Be aware that subliminally we are all acculturated to the sound of automobiles. We’ve been around
them all our lives. And, they make a very recognizable sound. This vehicle does not make that sound.
Be on the alert for pedestrians, children, pets, and even wildlife. It may be necessary to honk the
horn to alert people nearby of your approach or to install a sound system that warns others of your
approach.
Range
We rate the Bricklin EV-1 as a 75-mile vehicle. We have several indicators to remind you what your
State Of Charge or SOC is at all times. And, in the event you discharge it too far, the vehicle will
automatically go into “limp mode”, and an audible buzzer will sound. In limp mode you can still drive
the vehicle, but the throttle input is cut to a fraction of its normal value, and it can take several painful
minutes to accelerate to 30 mph. This allows you to “creep” or “limp” to a safe area out of traffic or a
nearby place where you can recharge the cells sufficiently to proceed.
The actual range you get will vary dramatically depending on your driving style. Higher speeds take
greater energy to overcome the wind resistance, so at 70 mph you will not likely achieve 75 miles –
perhaps 50. Strong accelerations also consume more energy. Use of the electric defroster/heater and
air-conditioner will also use energy – reducing range slightly.
If range is your issue, you will very quickly learn a kind of “push and glide” technique for extending
your range. There is no real trick to it, it comes quite naturally in driving the vehicle. Most drivers quite
naturally adapt to this in a short time.
Operating the Heater and Defroster
Your Bricklin EV-1 features a ceramic heating unit that provides almost instantaneous heat. A small
but powerful heating element and blower are installed under the dash and they are wired to the
original control mechanisms.
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