| Solectria Force | |
| Manufacturer: | Solectria Corporation |
| Model Years: | 1996 |
| Assembly: | Massachusetts |
| Related: | Suzuki Swift / Geo Metro |
| Sp: | us |
The Solectria Force is a Geo Metro, professionally converted from a new, motorless chassis (known in the industry as a glider) by Solectria Corporation of Wilmington, Massachusetts, starting in 1991, becoming a battery electric vehicle. Solectria subsequently was acquired by Azure Dynamics Corporation in 2004, it is no longer in production. Approximately 400 vehicles were converted in total.
The Force was introduced in March 1991, and the first nine were delivered by October to Arizona Public Service, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and Southern California Edison.[1]
The North Jersey District Water Supply Commission procured a 1996 Solectria Force that is still in service today. The original thirteen 12 volt lead–acid gel cell batteries lasted until April 2011, when they were replaced with nearly 10,000 miles.
In 1997, the base price of the car was $33,995 with lead–acid batteries which gave it a range of 50 miles at 45 miles per hour and a top speed of 70 miles per hour. Solectria also offered the Force with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack with an MSRP $88,895. This battery pack gave the Force a range of 100 miles at 45 miles per hour, and the same top speed as the lead acid model at 70 miles per hour.[2]
The city of Morristown, NJ used Solectria "Force" models as "station cars" in a three-year pilot program ending in 2001.[3]
For the display card on the example shown below:
In 1994, the Force was available as a four-seat or two-seat model, with the two-seat model gaining additional range. The standard storage battery used lead–acid chemistry, and a nickel-cadmium battery was optional. The base price of the four-seat, lead–acid Force was, rising to for the two-seat, lead–acid version and for the two-seat, NiCd battery. Rated range varied from .[4] By 1998, the NiCd battery option had been dropped in favor of the NiMH battery. The traction motor had an output that varied by the battery pack fitted; at 156 V, output was, increasing to at 180 V. The observed energy consumption was at a steady .[5]