I got this via CalCars, the organization promoting EV, PHEV, and other types of electric hybrids. CalCars has stressed the point that vehicles last a long time, and if electrification of the US vehicle fleet is to proceed at any kind of rapid pace, that's going to require retrofitting existing gas-guzzlers. This firm is making a drop-in engine replacement package that is basically Volt-in-a-box. Their goal is to take vehicles that are commonly used in large commercial fleets, and offer the chance to retrofit them with a Volt-like system -- electric propulsion, battery, and backup generator after the battery is depleted. All fitting under the hood. Still vaporware at this point, but they have $100M in funding, and apparently have the interest of operators of large fleets. Products & Design | ALTe
Hmmm, my motorhome already has a 5KW gas generator on board, I'd just need to pull that little ole 8.1L V8 and replace it with an electric motor and just run the generator full time (which, even under full load, has to be more effecient that that V8)!
Sounds good for an early stage. There are a lot of venture capital energy efforts out there hopefully some of the efforts work out. I see a little wishful thinking the write-up, but not too bad. Guess the question is this better than CNG conversion (cost/benefits)? For CA I think smog reduction is the main goal, not electrification for the sake of electrification, especially since CA is net importing elec anyways.
and yet, a slower rate of electrification better matches the rate of grid improvement and alternative energy production. if we go to quickly, we'll just get nucleur and demand for more oil, natural gas and coal.
