The aim of the Snowbird project was to make a contribution to “green” winter tourism and offer new options for mountain rescuers. The main challenge was to achieve maximum performance with the lowest possible weight, and to make the electronics suitable for use at low temperatures. Five FH JOANNEUM institutes were involved in achieving this task, and with success: the electric snowmobile Snowbird operates quietly and emission-free. Test drivers from various mountain rescue organisations were impressed with the powerful 25 kW (34 hp) motor, the vehicle’s impressive climbing ability and good loading capacity.
Project
Snowbird
Snowbird is Central Europe’s first fully electrically driven snowmobile. The prototype was presented as part of the sustainability programme run by the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2013 in Schladming. It offers great potential for innovation.
Photo: © FH JOANNEUM
The Project team druing the presentation from Snowbird (left: standing): DI Johannes Scherr (Industrial Design), DI David Schneider (PTO Production Technology and Organization), DI Dr. Gerhard Walenta (PTO), DI Gernot Knoll (Electronics and Computer Engineering), DI Johannes Haas (Head of Degree Programme PTO); sitting: DI Eva Windbacher-Schwager (LAV Aviation), DI Bruno Wiesler (Head of Degree Programme LAV)
Development work on the prototype revealed opportunities for improved motor cooling, a fast battery exchange system, and consistent lightweight construction which, once in place, would make Snowbird ready for serial production. Many ski resorts, particularly in the USA and Canada, have expressed an interest in the environmentally-friendly snowmobile.