Co-Founder @ Bluegreen NJ | The Blue Economy Business Builder, Social Entrepreneurship & EV Conversions
Do you think the range extender approach — a small ICE motor that functions as a generator to recharge electric batteries— like that in the BMW i3 or the new Mazda is going to continue? Or is it just a range anxiety solution until batteries and charging infrastructure improve?
Another in my recent explainer series for Car and Driver Magazine, this one on #hybrids. Unlike others, this one is more technical than most car shoppers need: No one has EVER walked into a dealer + asked to look at their series hybrids but not the parallel ones. Still, useful reference info. #pluginhybrid #hybridtechnology #automotive #autoindustry https://lnkd.in/eexKMAEd
Kevin Vegas
9mo
It’s a much better system than a standard hybrid since the same electric motors provide propulsion at all times rather than combining an under powered ICE with a helper motor. Fisker Karma/Karma Revero was also an example of this tech. Battery range was about 60 miles on the newest model with a 28 kWh battery. Total range was about 300 miles with a full tank. We tracked usage and most people drove about 40 miles per day. While it’s a great middle stage, once you drive it regularly, you’ll find that a larger battery and 200+ range is more desirable. On long trips it was extremely useful, but that was rare and most don’t drive over 300 miles in a day.
Jon Lake
9mo
Jack Mason, about 50-years ago, the on-board generator for my home-built VW trike was the stock engine using all recycled parts from the local salvage yard.
Contributing Editor at Car and Driver Magazine
9moWell, Ram certainly thinks it's a way forward. Their Ramcharger has a 3.6-liter V-6 gasoline generator (DON'T call it an engine!) that isn't mechanically connected to the wheels. You get ~ 130 miles on the battery pack, then it recharges from there. *IF* owners plug it in, they can be all-electric for daily use but tow that 12,000-pound trailer up that grade at 95 mph all day long. The Q, of course, is whether owners WILL ever plug it in.