Here is information on a small but extremely powerful
engine, which is in production for military use, and
weighing only ~10 kilograms (22 lbs) for what is the
equivalent of nearly 30 kilowatts output. This is an
ideal size and power for the concept below (which is
not original, but I do not know who gets the credit
for it). Most women and elderly drivers could lift
this engine and install it, if necessary.
It could function as a near-perfect solution to the
problem of needing (on occasion) greatly extended
range for the minimal plug-in electric automobile;
that is: the car which comes with affordable but
lower-range lead-acid batteries (not exotics).
This low-cost and low-range design would still cover
most daily errands for many of us; and might even
cover the work-commute if the employer provided
electric recharge to employees at the job site.
When increased range is needed for longer trips, the
backup engine could rented, installed in seconds, and
it could be fueled with bio-butanol. But most of the
time, it is NOT needed at all, and possibly is
nonexistent (to be explained below).
http://www.uavenginesltd.co.uk/fileadmin/datapack/AR731.pdf
Initially - the automaker would supply a low range
vehicle with an empty engine compartment but with a
built-in fuel tank (maybe 5-8 gallons) and a specially
engineered quik-connector hookup.
Perhaps the car initially comes with a range of only
10-20 miles on batteries alone, but these cost about
$5000 less than the lithium-ion or LIPO which would be
needed for a longer range pug-in with no backup.
This auto could be purchased without any backup
engine, which instead would be rented when needed
(from the filling station?). This system would allow
the backup to be carried only when needed and would
obviate the need for a trailer (which was once thought
to be necessary). Most of the time, the car operates
on batteries alone.
Of course, this solution demands the kind of
pre-planning that many consumers are not particularly
good at, but it is a good solution for a certain
percentage of drivers... the others would need AAA for
sure ;-)
... and this would no doubt make a big difference in
oil imports- although admittedly, as we all know, most
of that burden is shifted to the grid (coal and
methane).
But at least the dollars stay at home and out of the
hands of OPEC. And our US currency system does not
become the laughing stock of the free-world, which it
is now becoming.
BTW - why do we continue to have pennies? What a waste
of copper and *time* for clerks. I bet the net-cost of
using pennies and even nickels is in the billions of
wasted dollars. Let's get rid of this gigantic
anachronism, ASAP !!!
Jones
