Operating distance is always one of the factors that electric car buyers consider very carefully. Although not often using the car at the maximum operating range (currently on the market usually falls around 450 – 500km on a single charge), users will still feel more secure if their car goes the longest distance. Especially in emergency situations.
Recently, YouTube channel Warped Perception, which is famous for many “crazy” ideas around cars, has successfully made a journey of more than 2,500km with a Tesla Model S with a unique difference that the car does not plug in during the entire journey.
Tesla Model S, even in the most advanced version, only has a maximum operating range of 650km, nearly a quarter of the above figure. To complete the journey, Warped Perception had to upgrade the American electric car, renovating the powertrain.
The trunk area has a generator set separate from the passenger compartment to avoid the smell of gasoline running the generator from spreading into the cabin.
Tesla Model S completed the 2,500km journey with the transmitter placed outside – Source: Warped Perception
The above generator is connected to the vehicle by a controller, making this a fairly complete rechargeable hybrid vehicle. This generator is used to recharge the battery.
This homemade configuration is actually very successful, reflected in the distance traveled by the electric car. However, this journey is not very pleasant for YouTube channel owners when the sound of the generator (which is a single cylinder engine) behind is quite noisy.
Although this generator power is enough to offset the weight problem and provide some of the power to the system, the car cannot be charged at the same time, and needs time to rest.
The amount of fuel the Tesla Model S uses during its journey is certainly more than a car with any 4-cylinder engine. Still, given the homemade nature of the electric car, this is still a good test.
Reference: Newsnpr
Source: Vietnam Insider