Heading 1: Range Anxiety and Hybrid Range Extenders

Range anxiety is a common concern for people considering buying an electric vehicle (EV). The fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station can be a significant deterrent to purchasing an EV. One solution to this problem is a hybrid range extender, which combines the benefits of EV propulsion with the convenience of filling a fuel tank. However, can you create your own hybrid range extender at home?

Heading 2: DIY Hybrid Range Extender

The Warped Perception YouTube channel decided to experiment with creating a DIY hybrid range extender by putting a turbo diesel engine into a Tesla Model S P85D. The goal was to complete a 2,500-mile road trip while charging the batteries as little as possible.

The setup looks sleek, but one immediate problem is the noise. Despite a muffler, the diesel engine is extremely loud, which may not be desirable for those interested in the quiet luxury of an EV. The constant droning in the background can be distracting and annoying.

Heading 3: Cooling Issues

Another problem that arose during the road trip was cooling. The diesel engine continuously overheated, preventing the generator from charging the batteries as quickly as possible. Despite only operating at 80% power due to a massive roof scoop, the car eventually ran at 59 Wh/mile. The builder estimated that this would allow the Model S to go 1,600 miles on a single charge with a full tank of diesel.

Heading 4: Fuel Efficiency

Unfortunately, the car wasn’t running at peak efficiency during the entire trip, which meant that 77 gallons of fuel had to be used during the filming of the video. On the drive, this amounted to a fuel efficiency of roughly 35 MPG, which is about what a 2023 Honda Civic can manage on its engine alone.

While the Tesla is bigger, heavier, and more powerful than the Civic, this fuel economy figure may be disappointing for those who are ecologically minded. The second iteration of this hybrid Model S concept is considering using a supercharged rotary engine to charge the batteries, which could make the car even more efficient and sleek.

Heading 5: Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is possible to create a DIY hybrid range extender, there are several challenges that need to be overcome. Noise and cooling issues are just two of the problems that can arise. Additionally, fuel efficiency may not be as impressive as one might hope, especially for those who are environmentally conscious.

However, the Warped Perception YouTube channel’s experiment shows that there is potential for creating a hybrid range extender that can help alleviate range anxiety for EV owners. With further experimentation and improvements, it may be possible to create a more efficient and effective DIY hybrid range extender that can be used by anyone looking to extend the range of their EV.