And my point is: Regardless of the vehicle type, brake dust is not really pollution.
Since state of the art batteries can’t actually absorb most of the “regenerated” energy as a charge, it’s a false economy factor in their concept.
I know that some straight electric locomotives can be effective "re-generators," but diesel-electric locomotives will put current from the traction motors into "dynamic brakes" (kind of like giant electric toasters located somewhere near the top of the unit). On a hybrid car, does coasting downhill charge the battery as much as it can take and then dissipate the balance as heat somewhere?
Mr. niteowl77
That's the main thing that makes electric cars bogus...the batteries. They weigh a lot and they don't charge quickly.
Battery technology hasn't changed battery performance much since they first developed lead/acid automotive batteries...they are still in use.
I doubt I'm the first to think this, but if they were to assemble a "battery" from a proper combination of super-capacitors and lead/acid...ni/cad or some other conventional storage cells, they may have something.
The "caps" recharge instantly...you plug them in....they're charged. If their values and numbers were properly matched with the storage cells, and they could be made to slowly discharge into the batteries in order to charge them up...the "regenerative braking would work great"
Also, an instant charging station would be possible, or maybe even an on-board charger, that plugged-in with a regular extension cord to house current.
What made me think this, is a youtube video of a guy starting his Honda with super-caps....and totally eliminating his battery.