Would double battery = double mileage?

[codenamezero]

Got a question about pure electric car (EV), their mileage kind a sucks right now, like 200-250 miles per charge. I'm wondering, if i can retrofit/double the capacity of the battery pack (like build a layer and leave them at the trunk), won't it effectively double the mileage it can go (ignoring the weight factor here)?

What i have in mind is that... Honda Fit is coming out with an EV next year, and i'm thinking perhaps i could just use the stock battery for daily commute, but when i need to do long trip (say 400-500 mileage range), i could flip down the backseats and load an extra battery pack into it...

Also, you know those gasoline electric generator... what if i run a small generator in the trunk, with crazy sound isolation, won't it be able to charge the battery faster/enough to make it go further? So instead of loading a battery pack, i could temporarily pop-in a portable generator to continuously charge it while i drive.

Just throwing out ideas.

[Old Tele man]

...unfortunately, their additional WEIGHT would hold you back from ever achieving the 2X-milage that you assume they'd provide.

[codenamezero]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

...unfortunately, their additional WEIGHT would hold you back from ever achieving the 2X-milage that you assume they'd provide.

Yea, I did said "ignoring the weight factor" though...
Which is why i also think of the portable generator method, but that won't be as green as the added battery of course.

I'm thinking since the EV already have a battery charging inlet, it should be quite easy to tap the wire and just hook up the portable generator to the existing wire to charge it. Something like this perhaps? Honda EU2000i

I read it else where that the EV require 240v/16amp (some uses higher amp like 40) to charge, i think what's important is the amp?

[codenamezero]

Actually, i just discovered that using a portable generator method had already been done like 10 years ago! :O
A Portable Generator in Your Electric Car

[Christ]

The amp rating is what is required on the circuit at that voltage to keep you from blowing a breaker.

You can charge with a generator on the fly, but you'll want to isolate where the generator rests in the vehicle, for exhaust fumes. Generators are also generally air cooled, although forced air, and will require d some fresh air source.

Good idea would be to charge on your rest stops, and stop about every 2 hours for 30 minutes.

Of course, you probably won't do that, so just make sure you properly vent the generator, out run it behind the car in open air.

In some states, a generator trailer doesn't need to be registered, which means you get some extra storage space, as well.

[jakobnev]

It would be nice to see you build the generator as a boat tail extension to the rear of you car. And maybe go with steam, that might make it possible to use fuels that are both free and renewable.

[deathtrain]

and how would you get the steam? build a fire in the space to boil water?

[Christ]

Originally Posted by deathtrain

and how would you get the steam? build a fire in the space to boil water?

Suggesting that ...motors... don't already produce enough heat to generate steam?

Even electric motors, under load, generate quite a bit of heat. Maybe not enough to replace a fueled generator, but still something to extend range.

[deathtrain]

the cars can produce steam from water. but no where near the volume needed to make any returns. power generation is my field of work so i think looking at a car. Putting a low RPM high output wind generator linked to the output shaft of a turbo would but out more. then again the returns would not really worth it on the return. but then again every little bit helps.

[Frank Lee]

It is 2011 and we are talking about adding portable generators to EVs?