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The electric vehicle is one alternative form of transportation that has gained importance over the last few years due, in part, to pollution-free operation. Electric vehicles in their charging mode generate magnetic fields. Over the last few years these fields have been investigated for possible health hazards. A study was undertaken to measure and evaluate the magnetic field generated within a charging station. The 1993 Arizona Public Service Solar and Electric 500, a race for solar and electric vehicles held at Phoenix International Raceway, offered an excellent opportunity to collect data on the magnetic field generated within a charging station. Quantification of the magnetic field is necessary to predict the level of the field, the location where the maximum field is generated, distribution of the field within the charging area, etc. An electric vehicle requires both periodic and fast charging times.

Dreisbach ElectroMotive, Inc. (DEMI) under the sponsorship of Arizona Public Service with assistance from Motorola Semiconductor Products and GM’s Saturn Division, has developed a second-generation high performance Zinc-Air powered electric vehicle (EV). The EV is based on a 1992 Saturn SC coupe chassis and uses a dual battery hybrid configuration to demonstrate acceleration, top speed and operating range approaching gasoline vehicle specifications. This electric powered Saturn SC beat a conventional Saturn SC1 in a 5 lap sprint race during the third Annual Solar and Electric 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The DEMI/APS Saturn set a new electric stock car lap record of 40.8 seconds during the race and was about 1 second per lap faster than the stock reference car. Both cars were set up by the Saturn Engineering department just prior to the race and used identical race-prepared tires.