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Old 07-20-2011, 10:32 AM   #9 (permalink)
CFECO
CFECO
 
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Vail, AZ.
Posts: 552

X-Car - '11 Homemade 2+2

Velbly1 - '17 Toyota Camery XSE
90 day: 29 mpg (US)

Velbly2 - '13 Toyota Tundra
90 day: 18.03 mpg (US)
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I vote for the S-10. All electric first, with "plug in" charging using a two shaft motor similar to the Netgain. Then down the road, add a small high efficiency diesel engine running constant speed, to charge the batteries as needed. Use an engine which has enough power to drive the truck on the highway, say about 15-20 hp. This could then be connected to the front of the motor with a CVT belt drive or clutch, so the electric motor can drive the truck in town by itself, with the diesel for extended range on the highway. On the X-Prize car I designed, I used a layout similar to this, with two 10 hp engines, one ran the generator and could assist the final drive, the other was for the highway only.
I know a gentleman who added the Netgain system to a full size GM truck, and had a "minimal" MPG increase. If the normal engine is charging the batteries to power the motor to drive the truck, I think it's just better to drive the truck with engine directly.
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