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I'm not sure if I've ever seen it or heard of it, but I had the idea awhile back to put a gas powered generator in an electric car. Like when the battery got low the generator would turn on to refill the battery OR the generator can take over and power the car on its own. Theres probably more variations, but I'm not too sure about how much gas a power generator uses and if it would be very fuel efficient.

Please if you have ideas or criticisms add to it and maybe we can pass it on to someone who can make it happen. :)

I'm not sure if I've ever seen it or heard of it, but I had the idea awhile back to put a gas powered generator in an electric car. Like when the battery got low the generator would turn on to refill the battery OR the generator can take over and power the car on its own. Theres probably more variations, but I'm not too sure about how much gas a power generator uses and if it would be very fuel efficient.

Please if you have ideas or criticisms add to it and maybe we can pass it on to someone who can make it happen. :)

c0da:

I looked into a gas generator to power an EBH at work a while back, and a few folks informed me that it was likely to be a net increase in gas. Namely, that the gas used to generate the electricity needed to heat up the EBH would exceed the gas needed @ warmup.

The general theme I got was that generators get the job done but are not too efficient.

I'm in no position to verify that though. I'm a liberal arts major ;)

I'm no engineer either, but I wish there was some way to make this viable. Maybe theres other alternatives to starting up a generator besides gas like propane or diesel. Generators just don't seem like they are researched enough to really get information on this.

I think you're talking about a "series hybrid." That's how GM plans to build the Volt.

Is that how GM's Volt is supposed to work? I thought they're method was to use electric only then switch to the gas motor that also acts as a generator to power the battery back up. What I want is to somehow eliminate the ICE and have only an eletric motor so there are less components to deal with.

I still don't get how they can't bring the cost down though. It's not like they're using plutonium or other rare materials to build these cars are they?

Yeah, that's how the Volt works. There is only an electrical connection between the ICE and the wheels. That allows it to either charge the battery or provide supplemental power to the electric motor(s).

And as for cost, it's pretty much all wrapped up in the batteries. Even just a 40mi-capable pack of Lithium Ions will run you five figures right now. That will definitely come down but it'll take time.

Hi C0da:

___Yup, that is how a series hybrid works …

___CleanMPG’s - GM’s Chevrolet “VOLT” shocks the industry. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/articles/t-gms-chevrolet-volt-shocks-the-industry-4018.html)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

for something really neat in this realm, head over to EVPorsche.net. I'm all for this kind of tech being more and more .... ummm... AWESOME!

for something really neat in this realm, head over to EVPorsche.net. I'm all for this kind of tech being more and more .... ummm... AWESOME!

I'm going to be in West Palm Beach next week. I think I will stop by if I have time.