[Cobra64]

A chemical engineer friend once told me that every time you convert one form of energy to another, due to the mechanism(s) involved, you will LOSE efficiences.

So, If you burn gasoline to power a generator to create electricity, you are in the red, big time, in the energy efficiency pond.

The concept of an electric car is ludicrous; for instance, the electric utility has to burn X amount of coal or gas, then use that to create steam water to spin turbine blades connected to a 50 ton (whatever the weight) armature to spin generating armature to generate wattage which will have to be sent through a grid network (remember last week when the network was ailing? real reliable, huh?) to the future Exxons/Mobile service stations selling electricity... These people can't think through the process.

I'd say that portable fuels should be be used for portable means of transportation. Gasoline for cars and trucks, kerosene for the bigger trucks, tractors, diesel locomotives, etc.

Other forms of energy that the above sector can't mange, like COAL and NUKE energy should be utilized be GENERATING PLANTS. They don't move around too much; last I heard.

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.

[HangThemHigh]

Your MPG calculation sounds about right, except for one possibility. I'm wondering if the generator produces enough power for the car. He may have to leave the generator rtunning when he gets to his destination to recharge the batteries. If so, the 17 mpg is way too high. LOL.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yes, I can believe it.

Figure that an economical car needs about a minimum of about 20 hp to go 50 mph and one hp equals roughly 750 watts. Therefore he whoud need a 15 kw generator to keep it moving. That is a pretty hefty portable generator.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Not only that, the generator is probably putting out about 10 times the pollutants that your car does.

[in the Arena]

Not only that, the gas powered generator has no emissions control on it...it's probably belching pure CO...

[PeaceBeWithYou]

Homebrew version of this perhaps? The Long Ranger - range extending trailer.

The Long Ranger range-extending trailer converts an electric vehicle to hybrid mode for long trips. The efficient, high specific-output, gasoline-fueled, trailer-mounted generator maintains battery charge, allowing unlimited driving range at speeds up to 75 mph.

The Long Ranger is proven over more than 20,000 highway miles. 20-kW DC output allows sustained high-speed driving without range restrictions. Emissions are controlled with a closed loop fuel control system and a zero-evaporative-emissions sealed fuel tank.

The intelligent BackTracker trailer steering maintains trailer-to-vehicle alignment during backing to avoid jack-knifing. Steering control algorithms enhance high-speed stability allowing reduced trailer and tongue length. Small, light, and short for easy towing, parking, hookup, and storage. Manual start/stop control is available from inside the vehicle The backtracker system keeps the trailer in line with the vehicle while turning - even going backwards!

Low-Emission Range Extender for Electric Vehicles - paper presented at the SAE Future Transportation Conference in 1997 summarizing the technology in AC Propulsion's Backtracker hybrid Trailer.

Specifications:
Output Power - 20 kW DC up to 7000 ft elevation
Output Voltage 240 - 390 volts
Maximum Output Current 60 amps
Dimensions length: 48",(from hitch), width: 48", height: 30"
Fuel high-octane unleaded gasoline
Fuel Capacity 9.5 gallons (40 liters)
Engine Kawasaki 500cc 2 cyl. DOHC 4-valve/cyl, liquid-cooled
Operating Speed 7000 rpm
Drive direct Alternator proprietary design
Controls electronic servo governor, remote start and stop
Maximum Speed (without battery discharge) 60 - 80 mph varies with vehicle)
Highway Fuel Economy 30 - 35 mpg, 7.8 - 6.7 l/100 km(varies with vehicle)
Total Trailer Weight 350 lb, 160 kg
Trailer Chassis chrome-moly tubular frame with torsion-arm suspension

[paulklenk]

You absolutely should have either gotten a photo, or, if no camera was available, taken down the license for future research. A photo of such ridiculousness deserves to be disseminated throughout the Knowne World.

Nevertheless, it should not be too hard to track this moron down. There can't be too many of these cars around. Just get a cop buddy to help you do research, track the poor slob down, and ambush his next trip with paparazzi glee.

[Lady Heron]

I have never understood the new fad of having a camera on your cell phone. Now I understand. I would have loved to have seen a picture of the car. :-)

[novacation]

The hybrid cars, like Honda makes, are a good idea, if they weren't so damn small.With gas going up I'm waiting for a hybrid Suburban.

[pipe]

Obligatory Simpsons reference: wave file

[Kozak]

The best part is that as far as pollution controls go, the generator probably puts out 10 times the pollution per gallon!

[NTW64]

You have to wonder how much resource was waisted towing the generator....

[BJungNan]

I was thinking someone could put a big windmill on the top of their car to charge the battery while they drive.

Of course, they would not be able to drive near Ted Kennedy's neighborhood (see current news stories on Ted's opposition to windmills near his house but endorsement in everyone else's).

[fella]

Hey it's the land of the free. So far. Myself I'd like to have a hummer-I.

[MediaMole]

Sorry to rain on your parade, but the Focus is a gas powered car. Ford is making an experimental Fuel Cell version, but that uses hydrogen or methanol to produce electricity.

[AnAmericanMother]

Here's another version, made out of the front half of a VW Rabbit, to power another Rabbit converted to electric power:

Construction details and specs here.

The guy has a pretty funny account of getting his "trailer" registered at DMV here.

. . . . only in Portland (I think!)

[Pan_Yans Wife]

ping