Been doing some thinking about elec. cars. Generating questions

Hello ATS'ers,
Since the invention of electric cars and the batteries have been advancing, I can't help but wonder why these manufacturers don't integrate a mechanical means to generate energy at the same time as using it.
Look at our bicycles with little lights and stuff being powered by that little generator that runs against the wheel's side-wall. How long ago was that invented?
This is where my asking why don't electric auto-makers integrate a generator that generates energy by way of the same axel that drives the wheel(s)?
A regular gas/diesel engine utilizes a drive belt to rotate the generator/alternator by way of the crank-shaft. It gets dirty and oily and basically keeps the battery charged for it's general life-span, which is a good many years.
I'll throw-in my own answer, and appreciate any and all feed-back...
The reason "WHY" the electric car automakers don't utilize a mechanical generator by way of a rotating axel is because then we could travel far more distances, and not have to "plug-it-in."
So, yeah, this is a "jab" to the chin of TPTB.

Thanks for checking-out my 2nd thread here on my favorite website. Honestly, I can use some stars and flags if anyone's feeling generous, thanks. Hoping I'm not violating any of the T&C.

Why don't they put in energy absorbers that take the heat given off by the vehicle, and convert it to electricity? Why don't they put ribbons on the top of them at collect wind energy to charge it?

I have thought of this all of the time, finally I realize someone thinks about the same things as me.

Originally posted by loveguy

This is where my asking why don't electric auto-makers integrate a generator that generates energy by way of the same axel that drives the wheel(s)?

Wouldn't that add substantial drag or friction which in turn would counteract the process by giving substantially less fuel efficiency.

Thats why they are only used when cars are braking.. see Toyota Prius for info.

reply to post by loveguy


Dear loveguy

It would seam that they do on the braking system which is the only practical method.

Now I have now figures to hand but even your alternator on your car that recharges the battery plus running all the electrical equipment while the engine is running takes power directly form the engine.

On an electric car you can recharge the battery while braking only because to recharge while driving would be self defeating ie, more power to drive than power to recharge.

Sorry I wish it would work but your idea works against the current laws of physics.

It might be possible to recapture some of the lost energy to boost efficiency, but the returns would be largely negligible. Electricity generation isn't really a problem. Though most electricity is generated by coal, it's far easier to sequester pollutants and monitor emissions from a few centralized smoke stacks - than to try to overhaul and add unneeded expense and complexity to electric cars when it's hard enough to sell them now. Beats having a few hundred thousand extra decentralized gasoline vehicles to try to monitor or reduce emissions from.

Unless the energy efficiency is profound enough to justify the added complexity and cost, it's not going to sell. Regardless, you're always going to loose energy. Perpetual motion machines are urban myths and gimmicks.

I think the best option for increasing the viability of electric cars would be to overhaul how they're purchased and recharged. Basically, split them in two. You buy the car, but lease the battery. You can either recharge the battery at home, or stop by a compliant gas station to "hot swap" a depleted battery for a new one. It would streamline the process, allowing for recharging your car in about the same time it takes to pump a tank of gas. The depleted battery then goes into a charging station and installed into another customer's car later.

Considering that batteries are one of the most expensive components of electric cars, separating the two would help bring initial purchasing cost down dramatically while providing a long-term investment payoff for the battery lease provider. Demand would be low initially, since not many people own electric vehicles, allowing for faster recharge technology to develop as demand warrants it. Early adopters will be limited in recharge locations, whereas later adopters will end up foregoing that inconvenience for higher electricity bills as the price per kilowatt hour increases with demand. They won't get a cheap refuel the early adopters enjoy.

Originally posted by Dermo

Originally posted by loveguy

This is where my asking why don't electric auto-makers integrate a generator that generates energy by way of the same axel that drives the wheel(s)?

Wouldn't that add substantial drag or friction which in turn would counteract the process by giving substantially less fuel efficiency.

Thats why they are only used when cars are braking.. see Toyota Prius for info.

Dangit!
You made a good point, thanks.

Originally posted by MAC269
reply to post by loveguy

 

Dear loveguy

It would seam that they do on the braking system which is the only practical method.

Now I have now figures to hand but even your alternator on your car that recharges the battery plus running all the electrical equipment while the engine is running takes power directly form the engine.

On an electric car you can recharge the battery while braking only because to recharge while driving would be self defeating ie, more power to drive than power to recharge.

Sorry I wish it would work but your idea works against the current laws of physics.

Thank you. I gotta go back to that dream where I broke-out the old draw-board!

reply to post by Lasheic


Thank you. You brought-up a marvelous idea with change-out capabilities. I like that idea alot! Now on to view the video!

reply to post by Lasheic


Saw the video. Seems a jab to the chin to TPTB should be followed by a straight-right, combo-ed with an uppercut. Then a kick to the groin for being so stupid as to draw the ire of the people in the first place.
Great video! Thanks

reply to post by Lasheic


Dear Lasheic

That video was a brilliant find. This guy is right in a big way.

It is an idea that I had thought of some time ago, it is nice to see some brilliant young man put is as a concept on the table for all with a brain to pick up.

I read a while back about two young buck engineering students who also thought there was a lot of energy that could be produced while a vehicle was moving.

They came up with shock absorbers that produce energy.

I think the army was interested in the shock.

My friend and I was just talking about the bike generator the other day.