Add Electric Motors to Boost Your Current Car's Efficiency

skiptamali · Tar Sands Joined: May 09, 2008 Posts: 56

So we've tossed around hundreds of present and future options for reducing our dependence on oil, but what's something that could help people in the short term without necessitating huge changes?

I might have stumbled upon news of a good, if expensive, option for many people. It's called the Poulsen Hybrid system, and it can be attached to the rear tires of your current car to help boost fuel economy. Two little electric motors help your engine do its job, taking "over 70-85% of motoring duties."

To me, it's kinda expensive at $4200 a kit, even if that includes installation. But what are my other options? Say I can't afford to buy a new PHEV, or move closer to my workplace. What if I don't have public transport to my home and can't commute via scooter or work from home? Here's another option.

I'd like to learn the lifespan on one of these kits, given the current battery setup. What kind of maintenance do they require? If I get a new car, can I transfer it over to that? These are big questions for me, but the appeal of boosting someone's current auto's efficiency with this simple installation is very attractive.

Thoughts, anyone?

jlw61

heroineworshipper

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WisJim

No mention of size (electrically) of batteries or any info about the controls. If the total system weighs 300# including batteries, it can't have much capacity. Our electric car takes about 1/2 kw-hr per mile, or less, and if they are running the engine to charge the batteries which are running the motors which are propelling the car, they are seemingly ignoring all of the inefficiencies inherent in generating electricity and charging and discharging the batteries. To say nothing of what another 300# of weight in a vehicle does for the gas mileage.

Seems to me that this either wasn't thought through real well, hasn't been tested and monitored well, or they are marketing to internet suckers. It would be nice if it worked, but it seems unlikely to me, and nothing the article gives me much hope.