How much "mpg" does an electric generator get?

Question

gas powered.

I am wondering if you could build one pretty small that has really high efficiency and use the electricity to power an electric car with high efficiency therefore using it to increase your gas mileage?

Answer 1

ah 0, generators aren't rated that way. Generator fuel usage is rated in gallons per hour at x capacity (generally 75%) what that means is if you use your generator at 75% of its capacity you can expect to burn x gallons of fuel.

I've heard of people trying just what you described but they aren't as efficient as a hybrid.

Answer 2

You mean a gas generator as a way to extend the range of an electric car to infinity?  Sure - that's what a series hybrid is.  (like the Chevy Volt).  If you want extremely high efficiency, go turbine (GM built a hybrid EV1 in the 1990s using a Williams International turbine.)   However I personally think diesels from truck refrigeration units would be a good choice too.

Answer 3

If you take the small engine in a generator and stick it in say a scooter, you'll end up with something like a 50cc scooter.  They typically get 100 miles per gallon (they're not hybrid), and have a top speed of around 40mph.  It's more efficient to just power wheels than to power a generator to charge a battery to power an electric motor to drive the wheels.  To save gas, it's much easier to just slow down on the freeway.