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How one inventor wants to boost EVs with a towable turbine

Yahoo Autos -- When Nissan unveiled its Leaf EV last year, the wedge-like machine lifted the spirits of any motorist disgruntled by the Who Killed The Electric Car? era. None more so than Sadow, who grew up criss-crossing the country thanks to his father's job with the electric golf cart giant, E-Z-Go.

"You can say I got bit by the EV bug early, around the age of 7," Sadow says.

Fast forward a few decades, and that kid is now an electrical engineering whiz who has become consumed with making this incarnation of the electric car live.

"My goal is to make the EV a success, because it's the only thing that's going to save us," he says. "Our culture is based on cars, so that's not going away. But when petroleum becomes scarce, our economy is going to tank given our dependency on foreign oil. I just


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Submitted Feb 05, 2012 By: BIGOILEATURCRUD
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REPLIES (newest first)
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honda0105
Champion Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: Feb 8, 2012 5:04:44 AM

jr: you're right, not a lot of mainstreaming yet, but then ICE took about 30 years to take off.
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jrsva
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 11:06:10 AM


EVs are not yet ready for prime time but all manner of tinkering and innovations will one day get them there. Still, not much progress has been made until the electricity for recharging is all solar generated.
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joseph000
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 9:21:40 AM

While a creative solution for this guy, it's no practical solution for us.

For now, until we get better batteries, EVs are only good for short trip drivers, commuting, second vehicles, etc. Hey, they are great for that, but if you own an EV and need to go on a long trip, rent a regular car for that.

But hey, if you can use an EV 350 days a year, and only rent cars a few days a year, that's way better!
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wild3bill
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 7:33:38 AM

Turn a Leaf into a Volt ;-}
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tomok
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Feb 6, 2012 2:29:29 AM

How one inventor wants to boost EVs with a towable turbine propane-powered Capstone turbine engine that spins at 100,000 rpm, has only one moving part and can help electric vehicle owners get around the lack of quick-charging stations.
*Install the turbine in the vehicle to produce electricity for the EV and Inbred batteries. Turbines can be made very small, so the generating ability does not take up too much room and no trailer is needed. If that French guy can fly with four turbines on his wing, an EV and Inbred can use one to generate electricity and have room for a special turbine fuel storage tank too.
EV’s and Inbreds need a much longer driving/battery range, a different kind of ‘quick charge’ battery or charged battery swap, and a reasonable battery replacement price when that battery finally dies. *Develop an EV battery pack that does not overheat with operation of the vehicle, when charging or in long term storage.
Produce and ‘drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money.
The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
12/22/2012!
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leekee
Veteran Author Kansas

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:25:30 PM

i dont think so...
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katmandue
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:21:38 PM

It is a waste of money
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heartbroken2010
Champion Author Ottawa

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:21:31 PM

would not bet on a timeline for everyone to be driving an EV , good thing EV's are, too bad you cant go very far on a single charge yet.
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Focus2
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:21:06 PM

The Leaf is just too much money up front! I sat in one and talked with the dealer, but saving money with my limited driving not possible.
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mrbee
Champion Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:20:11 PM

No EV for me.
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frostyWV
Champion Author West Virginia

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:18:25 PM

time will tell.
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tedjm1
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:17:46 PM

Weird, but is it workable?
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min_fuel
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:17:24 PM

Gee, I don't know. Makes you wonder?
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Colts13
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:17:23 PM

ok
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pgerassi
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:16:10 PM

Why tow it? Build the tiny gas turbine into the car as the sustainer (battery charger (serial hybrid)). Its got to be cheaper, cleaner and easier.
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txkrb
All-Star Author Texas

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:15:29 PM

From article "Our culture is based on cars, so that's not going away. But when petroleum becomes scarce"
For the most part the electricity to recharge the EVS comes from electricity generated from either petroleum products or coal

I have wondered how do they heat EV in the winter, electric heater coils use a lot of energy
Do the electric motors produce a significant amount of heat?
I understand in the Prius the gas engine produces the heat in the winter
If it is very cold out the gas engine would have to run a significant amount of time during a 5-10 mile commute, eliminating much of the fuel savings
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must87searcher
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:15:12 PM

Here is someone who is does carry the idea for advancement.
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MotoDad
Veteran Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:15:03 PM

I would drive one.
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mikaye
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:14:10 PM

as soon as ev are popular, prices will rise and road usage taxes will be added (some states are already proposing adding a counter to charge cars for how many miles traveled, which will stop incentives to drive evs)
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bluegrasser1
Champion Author Richmond

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:13:25 PM

ok
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TerryLee
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:11:53 PM

Sounds good on paper give it a try and we'll see
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Blue_Cruzer
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:11:26 PM

Sounds like a winner.
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tampacrvdriver
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:08:51 PM

Interesting.
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carpenter4u
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:08:38 PM

probably won't happen in the next 35 years
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Dodge_Me
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:03:58 PM

Thats so cool, to have a turbine to recharge, love it
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umitb
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:02:04 PM

ok
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defiancegasman
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 11:00:32 PM

we still need a BETTER BATTERIES
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cimilluca1
Sophomore Author New York

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:56:48 PM

It could be our future! Buckle up and hold on!
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PoohMcGoo
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:53:30 PM

Good luck
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JesseJack52
All-Star Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:51:37 PM

YOU'VE GOTTA LOVE AMERICAN INGENUITY
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crazycow2332
All-Star Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:50:35 PM

ok
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gmcgas
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:50:24 PM

we'll see.
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sljbc475
Champion Author Tucson

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:50:00 PM

Make the vehicles hybrid versus all electric.
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fenster66
Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:48:31 PM

reliability and better prices are the key...
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mrreferee
All-Star Author Savannah

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:39:47 PM

well, it is not just price, which has to come down, but dependability to make folks desire them. otherwise, they are just "lawn Art"
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tippybuddy
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:37:09 PM

I don't know what kind of car to buy in this day and age...I can't afford any of the ones that are suppose to be better...I'll just stick with my Toyota Van...for the amount of driving I do it's all I need..
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CptnCanada
Champion Author Saskatoon

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:35:45 PM

E=MC2... the energy to tow it will be more than it produces
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sit
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:35:43 PM

Hmmm
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sillywagon
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:33:37 PM

Does Sadow know that propane is a crude oil byproduct?
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granitestater
Champion Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:31:07 PM

This guy has sniffed too much battery acid today...
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idigau22
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:28:43 PM

I luv my big 4x4 truck!!
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goodbuy
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:27:54 PM

Just do it.
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Thomtec
All-Star Author Nashville

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:27:26 PM

Inventions need to become affordable innovations.
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fuelsaverMN
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:27:02 PM

What is the point in that.
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fuelsaverMN
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:26:19 PM

I would never buy an electric car.
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72_Monte
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:26:10 PM


Kinda like pulling around a tank of extra gas.

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ccf_jeff
Champion Author St. Louis

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:25:36 PM

Kudos to Sadow!

That's the type of entrepreneurial spirit that made America great.
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radiorumor
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:17:36 PM

I get exclent milage when a truck tows me
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pse91
All-Star Author Calgary

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:17:24 PM

If they could develop a wind up car they could save the coal that fires electrical plants
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orcar
Champion Author Boise

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Message Posted: Feb 5, 2012 10:16:48 PM

If they get the range up the cars would interest me.
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