Electric Vehicles?

Question

Any good sites on electric vehicles?

Why not use a petrol generator to supply continuous power to an electric vehicle? Yes, it will be a hybrid, but wont the fuel consumption be very low.

Answer 1

You are correct, and what you describe is called a serial hybrid. It is indeed the most efficient form of hybrid, since the gasoline engine can run exclusively at its most fuel-efficient speed and load. The next generation of hybrids (plug-in hybrids, like the upcoming Chevy Volt) will use this type of design. Some new military vehicles have recently been designed around the serial hybrid concept.
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Pure electric vehicles are even more efficient. I drive an EV conversion (ordinary car converted to electric), and my cost per mile for electricity is only 1 to 2 cents per mile. Here's a site about electric vehicles, and how you can buy a freeway-capable EV for as little as $5000:
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http://squidoo.com/cheap-electric-car
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Answer 2

It has been tried, and the results were not all that good. It has worked out better to have both the motor and the engine drive the wheels when acceleration demand is high. That allows you to reduce the size of both the motor and the engine, which results in a more efficient vehicle than if all of the motive force had to come from the electric motors.

Answer 3

That's how diesel trains work except they use diesel fuel

Answer 4

Okay dude, don't copy my cool glasses.