I saw this in the parking lot of the hotel where I'm staying. Inspection: yes, it's the chassis of an early 1970s VW, with motor and transmission in place. The motor appears functional. It's connected to the gas cans. Yet, this is a trailer. Why? (Hint: it's parked next to a new Toyota CRV electric car.)
Answer: The owner has a nice new Toyota CRV electric. He extolled the virtues of the electric, its greenness, and the tax breaks and free charging options. But, it only has a 120 mile range, and sometimes he needs to drive longer distances on the freeway. This is Utah, after all.
So... the VW trailer. When in need, he puts the trailer in 4th gear, and turns on its electric system. The throttle is stuck full open. He pulls it to get going put, put put put... Then, the trailer pushes the car along. What if he needs to slow down? No problem, he hits the regenerative brakes on the Toyota, so now the VW is also charging up his batteries!
American ingenuity is still alive!
I did not ask if the highway patrol was aware of just how the trailer functions. Or the DOT, EPA, NHTSA, etc. etc.
A trailer, attached by a tow bar, pushing a car from behind? I hope it's a light push from a light trailer, since he *really* does not want the trailer overtaking the car ...
ReplyDeleteI wonder what's the efficiency of that thermodynamic cycle!
ReplyDeletePretty poor, likely. I'd be surprised if it were over 25% or so. Believe it or not that's higher than a brand new gasser which is lucky to get 22% to the wheels.
DeleteThe masses shouldn't be allowed to innovate like that.
DeleteEgads. In this particular case we might actually want to see a regulator pay some attention. One does have an obligation to use safe equipment on public thoroughfares. I admire the ingenuity tho.
ReplyDeleteI read the new Leaf has 200-mile range and Chevy Volts, of course, have onboard generators.
I do not see how a "motorized" trailer like that could possibly be legal for street use.
ReplyDeleteIt would probably be safer, and a lot more fuel efficient, if he bought an old pickup truck and used it when he had to travel long distances. He could haul the CRV on a trailer if he really wanted to be able to use it at his destination.
While the problem solution was creative and probably fun to execute. Maybe the needs assessment on the purchase decision could have been more robust.
ReplyDeleteAs Tyler Cowen would say, there is no great stagnation!
ReplyDeleteI like the concept of getting something past the regulators but the plastic gas cans, alone, seen especially hazardous. (And less skilled copycats.)
ReplyDeleteNice work. The idea of charging up batteries with this VW motor is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right... It'll working nice with electric engine.
DeleteHas anybody looked into the cost(environment and otherwise) of mining the minerals for the batteries, shipping the minerals, manufacturing the batteries and eventually shipping used batteries and recycling the batteries? How about we just take that and put in a fuel efficient car?
ReplyDelete