Tesla to make gas-electric car

[Iz]

Trailer? to carry a weight of only 35kg?

There was a generator trailer project 10-years ago for the Rav4 EV. I believe the small engine would use liquid fuel to charge the battery. Project never got off the ground. Perhaps new and more efficient designs will be developed for Model S and Leaf.

 

[AnOutsider]

There was a generator trailer project 10-years ago for the Rav4 EV. I believe the small engine would use liquid fuel to charge the battery. Project never got off the ground. Perhaps new and more efficient designs will be developed for Model S and Leaf.

That's actually pretty cool. Practical though? I suppose if you only attached it on long trips, but how much range does it add compared to range decreased for towing the little guy?

 

[TEG]

There was a generator trailer project 10-years ago for the Rav4 EV. I believe the small engine would use liquid fuel to charge the battery.

Yes, motorcycle engine in there.

More info:
Steve Hawkins' Long Ranger

...Kawasaki Ninja EX-500 powered ACP AC-150 converted to a generator system...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genset_trailer

 

[ckessel]

The idea of towing a gas engine with an electric car feels so very wrong.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

The idea of towing a gas engine with an electric car feels so very wrong.

Agree. If one's really a frequent road-tripper, maybe, an ICE car - with good mileage where the manufacturer would have done the best optimization of everything for gas mileage and emissions - is the better fit for you (atleast as of today). This is just weird and counter-intuitive.