1990RangerinSK
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2016
- Messages
- 2,346
- Reaction score
- 1,312
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Saskatchewan, Canada
- Vehicle Year
- 1990
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.9 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
One thing will make me change my mind (and, no, it's not necessarily increased range). Most of these electric vehicles are front or rear wheel drive. The other two wheels? They're just along for the ride. They spin. So, let's take Toyota's hybrid technology (that Ford licensed), and take it one step further. Put generators on the non-drive wheels, so that as they rotate, they generate electricity and charge the battery.
With an ICE, the alternator puts out enough power to run the entire electrical system of the vehicle (on older ones - some newer vehicles still run the electrical system off the battery, and the alternator charges the battery as needed). Why can't an electric vehicle use the freewheeling wheels to do the same thing? You *might* be able to charge at a rate of 100:100. In which case, I'd have nearly infinite range. NOW that electric vehicle has an advantage over my ICE.
With an ICE, the alternator puts out enough power to run the entire electrical system of the vehicle (on older ones - some newer vehicles still run the electrical system off the battery, and the alternator charges the battery as needed). Why can't an electric vehicle use the freewheeling wheels to do the same thing? You *might* be able to charge at a rate of 100:100. In which case, I'd have nearly infinite range. NOW that electric vehicle has an advantage over my ICE.