Hyperdrive researches new method to increase EV range

    Many car companies can transform traditional gasoline cars into electric cars by making certain modifications; and adding a charging port to an electric car turns it into a plug-in hybrid car, which is nothing new.

    Converting an electric car into an extended-range electric car is not as simple as simply adding a gasoline engine, but this is just the idea of ​​ordinary people. At present, a company called Hyperdrive in England can make it a reality.

    The company came up with this idea because current electric vehicles generally have the disadvantage of not having a long enough driving range.

    We know that in the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle, engineers use a gasoline engine as a generator, which can provide additional power to the vehicle when the battery energy is exhausted.

    Based on this principle, Hyperdrive has proposed its own solution, which can achieve the same structure as the Volt electric car in other electric vehicles and extend the mileage.

    Unfortunately, the specific operation plan has not been revealed. Neither the Hyperdrive company's homepage nor the news station has released the installation method of the system. The only information known is that they use a 15 kW, about 20 horsepower gasoline engine as a range extender and use the Daihatsu Sirion compact car as an experimental prototype.

    Engineers operated the car based on the principle of photoelectric conversion. Please note that this car was not originally an electric car. The gasoline engine used for range extension will take up part of the space originally installed for the battery, which means that the battery capacity is reduced and the driving range is reduced. However, it provides additional power for the vehicle after the battery is exhausted, which can be used in case of emergency.

    The extended-range gasoline engine will be used as a temporary portable power device mainly for small cars, commercial vehicles and military vehicles. In addition to the extended-range gasoline device, the company is also developing an extended-range device for diesel-powered vehicles. The British government has invested $420,000 in the project.

    Hyperdrive has not yet said when the system will be completed and put into practical use - or even if it will be put into practical use. But perhaps this innovative concept will become a new technological trend.