X-Prize Video Entry - Electric/Wind/Solar Car

[TasteoFxcelence]

they would never make such a thing because there is no money coming in after they sell it. they make to much money from gas and oil. the money first the people last.

[Barogas]

Great ideas here. Why separate the power distribution into two banks of batteries, though? I would just connect the generators into the primary batteries, giving the vehicle a greater range.

Solar and wind certainly wouldn't make the vehicle 'self-winding', but they would give it a much greater range than you're seeing today, example being the new 150-mile range Mini-Cooper.

[McSpizzy]

I had always been thinking of this, mainly because, if we can harness solar energy and wind energy, we may be able to harness enough power to drive a car across about 200 miles in a day on maybe one recharge. Also, my idea is similar athomecomforts, except using a grate on the very front of the car, with openings small enough, so that only the wind could get through and no other particles of matter (dirt ect). Also, the solar panels could blend in with the car, making it seem they weren't there.

[athomecomforts]

I was thinking about this the other day. Battery powered cars could be recharged by wind power turning a generator, simular to an altinator.

[iortizvictory]

What are you thoughts on the wheels turning. I wonder if power could be generated from that as well?

[athomecomforts]

maybe. I was thinking a vent can protrude out of the car on the sides and roof with a fan inside that will turn a generator and recharge the batteriew. Now sure how to hook to the wheels...but I bet some one smarter then I could figure it out.

[iortizvictory]

What I was thinking is that the spinning motion of the wheels could somehow harness some type of enegry. If a spinning wind turbine can produce enegry why couldn't a spin wheel. That could be a 3rd source of power to recharge the other battery. Thanks for your comments!! I love hearing ideas!

[dotjalex]

I dont mean but to put a downer on any of this but by having fans on your car or dynos driven by the wheels creates drag and friction. Even if your fans and dynos are 100% efficent and your motor is 100% efficent the extra energy you create will be used up countering the extra drag and friction so when you consider that the dynos and motor arnt 100% efficent your actually wasting energy.

[customstevo]

but if the fan in front of the car was hooked up to a series of pullies it seems like it might spin the generator more with less energy

[iortizvictory]

Another thing I was thinking about today is if you could generate power from your wheels spinning?

[Odziz]

Check out Solar Van and Solar Taxi. Yes someone has already though of this and built it.

[iortizvictory]

That is awesome!!! It's so exciting to see us moving forward as a society and embrace alternate fuels other than bio fuels and hydrogen. Sun and wind is such a beautiful source of energy. It's funny I had this thought as I was driving with my hand out the window. Why can't this wind help power this. So much enegry not being used.

[Odziz]

If you want to see some really cool wind powered vehicles take a look at Ventomobil and Pursuit of Wind-Powered Vehicles - World Record Wind/Land videos on YouTube