Since the RAV4 EV can be owned and not just leased, (unlike the EV1, Honda EV+, Think EV at present, etc.), and since it seems to be a pretty good EV in many respects, I am wondering if anyone has given any thought to using a RAV4 EV in a project to equip it with some hybrid aspect.
Specifically, instead of trying to get too complicated, I was wondering about loading a small diesel generator into the back of the vehicle itself and using it to charge the batteries, while the vehicle is in motion and being powered by the batteries. This might give the vehicle some extended range without sacrificing too much performance due to weight problems. Since it's already a four-seat small SUV, perhaps there would be room for this. Yes, I know, many EV fans would consider this the ruination of a perfectly good EV, but grid-chargeable hybrids are something I at least want to see researched, and they may turn out to have their good qualities, such as (if well-done) superior mileage and range, both. If the generator were powered by just a few gallons of 100% biodiesel, and if the mileage were awesome, I think such a car could be incredible. Of course, I do not mean to imply disrespect for the costs or challenges or pitfalls of such a project, just putting the idea out there to mull over. One key I think would be finding a suitable generator in terms of weight and power. Another would be determining whether a battery management system and other electronics could manage the problem of charging and discharging both at the same time. Even if this is generally possible in some other vehicles, since the RAV4 might not have been designed for it, and since the batteries are of considerable value, I'd wonder about that. Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Biofuels list archives: http://archive.nnytech.net/ Please do NOT send Unsubscribe messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
