Snowmobile

Design

The McGill Electric Snowmobile Team took a different approach to designing a cleaner snowmobile. Other teams are taking existing snowmobiles and modifying their gas engine and exhaust system to be more efficient. We decided to take an innovative approach and design an electric powered snowmobile. Electric motors are much quieter and cleaner than internal-combustion engines. However, there are many design challenges we have to overcome.

Design Challenges
Our biggest challenge comes in the form of a power source. Since electric vehicle technology is fairly new, a long-range, low weight and inexpensive power supply is hard to find. Finding the right power supply is of utmost importance for the endurance and acceleration tests.
Other challenges we must consider are weight constraints, safety requirements and reliability issues.

Selected Components
e-TORQ DC Brushless Motor

We are using an e-TORQ DC Brushless motor because of its high torque-to-weight ratio. Also, brushless motors are maintenance free and extremely reliable due to the fact that the phase commutation is achieved by an electric circuit (instead of a conventional brush/commutator system).

• Ultra high efficiency
• Regenerative braking capabilities
• Configured to optimize output of the e-TORQ motor

Motor and Brake Assembly

• Direct drive design for weight saving, reliability, low maintenance, and safety.(No continuously variable transmission CVT)
• Commercially available brake disc and caliper are used. (to meet the competition rules)