[landspeed]

A thought I have had for a while, which might be an easy mod for those who want to get an MPG boost without going all the way to building an EV.

The Honda IMA works - by assisting the ICE, and only when the engine is running. It is connected to the crankshaft, on the gearbox side.

However... thinking about it.... it would make no difference if that IMA was actually on the otherside of the crankshaft! (the alternator / air-con pump side). So, therefore, if you got a motor if maybe 7kw max, fitted it somehow to the other side of the crank, and had a button on the steering wheel for manual motor assist, and had a few batteries in the boot, you could make large improvements in MPG. For short journeys, you could charge it at home. Depending on the motor you could also consider using a motor/generator to charge the battery. You could charge it going downhill by leaving it in 5th gear, and coasting with fuel-cut - and have the motor on maximum recharge rate. You could also put some solar panels on the car - 40w of solar panels could give up to 40 watt/hours per hour, or 320 watt hours during an 8-hour working day. This would be a significant amount if your commute was short e.g. 10-20 miles.

Any comments on this idea?