Another dumb question

[yellowperil]

I'm curious why electric cars have to be plugged in? Why can't they maintain themselves with an alternator, or generator or an in-the-wind spinning device
to keep their power source charged up just like our good old infernal combustion engine cars?

I have no interest in EVER owning one, just curious. I feel that the plugging in process is probably turning off everyone except the 0.00000000000000001% of
those who think it's a good idea. IMO

[Hugh R]

I have a hybrid Camry. I like it. Totally electric, not yet. Total carbon footprint of their life cycle appears to be higher than conventional. Who can afford a 2nd or 3rd car that you can't drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas? Not me.

An alternator or a generator requires power, energy isn't "free".

[masraum]

Because there are always loses in the system

If you put a fan on top of the car, it would cause drag which would require more power

As stated an alternator requires power to spin (it's not as easy to spin when it's in the car making electric as it is when it's in you hand)

Perpetual motion is impossible

They do have reclamation systems in most/some of them

When they hit the brakes, most of them are generating electricity

[Hugh R]

Exactly, my BIL who works for Toyota, USA says my front disc brake pads on my hybrid will go at least 100,000 miles due to the regenerative braking. I'm at 75K and still have 50% meat on my front brake pads.

[porwolf]

[QUOTE=yellowperil;7461703]I'm curious why electric cars have to be plugged in? Why can't they maintain themselves with an alternator, or generator or an in-the-wind spinning deviceto keep their power source charged up just like our good old infernal combustion engine cars?

I have no interest in EVER owning one, just curious. I feel that the plugging in process is probably turning off everyone except the 0.00000000000000001% of
those who think it's a good idea. IMO

"In-the wind spinning device" Great idea! If that idea is successful you'll win the Nobel prize and turn Physics upside down.

[masraum]

Right up until a modern Don Quixote attacks your car

Besides, it looks like it would make it hard to go through tunnels or under overpasses.

[yellowperil]

Couldn't we put the "in-the-wind spinning device" a little lower, like in the grill maybe.

Just sayin'

[HardDrive]

Every bearing, belt, electrical device, etc...robs the overall system of power. Even if the car had zero rolling resistance, and was moving in a vacuum, the cars systems would slowly use up the overall energy you started with in the battery.

You can't fight entropy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy

[yellowperil]

"You can't fight entropy".

Come on guys, there's no need for that kind of language. Let's leave molecular disorder out of it for now.

By the way IF I win that Nobel prize I want to share it with this guy, Gyro Gearloose, he's been a great source of inspiration over the years.

[masraum]

Wasn't he in the scrooge mcduck/huey, Dewey and Louie comic books

Not much wind going through the grill of a car, the motor/car gets in the way

[yellowperil]

He was, and still is I guess.

Why couldn't you bring air in and route it out. Shouldn't be that hard. Come guys, why do I have to think this all through, I not even interested remember. Do you guys even have any Porsches? Gasoline ones?

[RWebb]

it sounds like you have a basic thermodynamic flaw if I follow your thinking correctly

you want the battery to only use accessories powered by the battery (and the car's forward motion, itself created by the battery) to recharge itself?



a better solution is to go out some night and trap a few Maxwell's Demons; once trained, they can operate the particle gates to make entropy do work for you

[James Brown]

maybe a "kers" system would help but then you would have to brake a lot

[Flieger]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

He was, and still is I guess.

Why couldn't you bring air in and route it out. Shouldn't be that hard. Come guys, why do I have to think this all through, I not even interested remember. Do you guys even have any Porsches? Gasoline ones?

Sounds like the next "Do you even lift?" DYEHAP?

Originally Posted by RWebb

it sounds like you have a basic thermodynamic flaw if I follow your thinking correctly

you want the battery to only use accessories powered by the battery (and the car's forward motion, itself created by the battery) to recharge itself?



a better solution is to go out some night and trap a few Maxwell's Demons; once trained, they can operate the particle gates to make entropy do work for you

good one.

[Flieger]

[Schumi]

Originally Posted by yellowperil

I'm curious why electric cars have to be plugged in? Why can't they maintain themselves with an alternator, or generator or an in-the-wind spinning device
to keep their power source charged up just like our good old infernal combustion engine cars?

Other forum members are actually being rather nice tonight..

Everyone, this is why it's important to push for proper funding and teaching of the sciences in our schools.

I could answer your question for you, but then again so could my 13-year-old self if he were here.

[yellowperil]

Well thanks guys, I learned a lot and hope no one took offence, only trying to have a little fun with my curiosity.