Electric car prototype increases range to 218 miles

Link:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technol...type-increases-range-218-miles-203207200.html

A 5 passenger car that gets 218 miles per charge.
Sounds allot better then what is currently available.

What I would like to see is some type of option added to these cars to charge while you drive or park for that matter.

Adding solar cells may be one possibility.

Another possibility though I do not know if it is possible would be to add a wind-turbine like device to it.
Just a small one mounted on the front of the car within the engine compartment, that could generate additional electricity to charge the battery or extend the range. With such a small engine that does not require the cooling of a IC it could be possible.

Even if these options wouldn't fully charge the engine or drive the motor they should create enough electricity to run some of the cars internal functions (radio/fan etc..)

I don't think electric cars will come of age until super-capacitors are perfected.

This is a promising development:
Graphene supercapacitors are 20 times as powerful, can be made with a DVD burner

Right now the focus should be on reducing weight as well as battery tech. It take a lot of juice to drag around 4000Lbs of Steel .Glass and Plastic. The energy to actually move the people inside is probably only 10%.

Good news. Things are really starting to progress nicely.

I must say that looks like a cool car.

Rather than wait for the next best thing ; why not get a volt!
I mean waiting for the 400 mile EV is like waiting for the Woodstock Stove that can heat your 3000 sq ft drafty farmhouse on 1 cord of wood
I am sure Dennis could do this of course.

I am supremely happy with the Volt. I leased in case there was a great breakthrough as above.
Great to see an American Manufacturer produce superior product.
Traded in my Highlander for a Chevy Volt.
Highlander 6 gallons per 100 miles or 600 gallons per 10,000 miles = $2,400 a year (assume $4.00 a gallon)
Volt is 40 KW per 100 or 4000KW per 10,000 miles = $ 200 a year (assume 5 cents a KW)
Thus about $2,000 saved per year. This is about 1/2 my lease payment!!

That is 10,000 saved in 5 years!

Or you could compare it to the average FILL UP go 300 miles (average "FILL UP" for ICE at Gas station) now costs me $6.00!
How much does your vehicle cost to "FILL UP"? Highlander was $60 last time

I drive only 10-20 miles a day (unless I am riding my bike) so I am all electric most of the time.

Did I mention how QUICK this car is ? I hate driving ICE cars now. Once you go EV you never go back
Did I mention I dont waste time at gas stations, 3 seconds to plug at night 3 seconds to unplug in am?

Tom

I'm suspect MishMouse is talking about use of a wind generator while parked, not some thermodynamic law breaking, Wylie Coyote skateboard, sail, and electric fan concept.

We all hope so!

The solar collectors should be on top of the garage ,not the car. not enough Sq ft on top of the car. Also if the volt had a 10 AER like the prius it would be closer to $30000 before the rebate. 40 Mile AER adds $10000 to any electric car.

If you add an ICE and all the systems to regulate each to the cost, it would be much more than the volt.

Those "in wheel" motors have to deal with a lot of dirt and water and even be submerged at times if driving in a rainstorm.

Cant see how you could completely seal up an electric motor thats part of a wheel and allow it to get ventilation and turn freely,just sayin. Big difference between an electric motor and an oil pan.