Alternators to increase electric vehicle range???

Question

I know you cannot make a perpetual motion machine. At least not yet. But if you have an electric car, could running high output alternators off the drive wheels at least increase the range of the vehicle? I figure running the alternator directly off the electric motor would probably be useless, but running it off a drive wheel shouldn't add as much drag to the electric motor itself.

I ask because I'm contemplating an electric conversion for one of my old VW Bugs, but by the looks of it most people running them seem to be getting about 60 miles at best from a charge. I drive about 70 miles a day round trip to work on the freeway so I need a bit more range than what I'm seeing. BTW from what I've read I need to run at the least a 96v system to keep decent freeway speeds if that matters.

Thanks for any replies.

Answer 1

The drag of the generator is probably a negative output, unless you can engage it when traveling down hill and gain the energy from gravity. A solar panel mounted to the roof might get you a bit, but probable not enough to matter. You might want to increase the electrical storage (battery) capacity and simply charge longer when idle. I applaud the idea !!! I wanted an electric Ranger, but they were simply not affordable in 2002 when I bought mine. Love to tell Exxon-mobile where to shove it!!     Good luck

Answer 2

"I know you cannot make a perpetual motion machine. At least not yet."

LOL!!!

Not yet?  Never.  I think somebody wasn't paying attention in physics class!  Or, more likely, you never took physics.  I recommend an evening class at your local college -- it will open your eyes to reality.

Answer 3

It makes no difference as the output that u get from the alternators will be reflected power drain on the drive motor.

Answer 4

Your second sentence gave you away "at least not yet".  You can't build one ever.  No matter what.  It's not possible.  

If you run an alternator off any moving part you create drag on the system - you have to - you are drawing power.  SO even in a 100% efficient scenario, the alternator CANNOT draw any more power from the system than the engine would have to create to keep the speed up.  

It can't work. I wish it could.  But it can't.  The Law of Conservation of Energy does not allow it.

As for the answer above me, with their suggestion to engage the alternator when going down hills - hybrid cars already do this.  They also engage the alternator during braking to recover some of the energy that would otherwise be lost as heat.

Answer 5

This is basically how regenerative braking works.  When you engage the generators on the wheels, they slow the car down due to the load.  The electricity generated recharges the battery.  Of course there are losses so you don't get all the energy back.  But you get a good fraction.