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
