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I'm more interested in the range extender[0] that was patented by ford recently. Body-on-frame vehices seem like a no-brainer case for EV's, since they're typic

I'm more interested in the range extender[0] that was patented by ford recently. Body-on-frame vehices seem like a no-brainer case for EV's, since they're typically larger and have more space on the frame for batteries, and having a camping/off road vehicle that also has a range extender sounds like a great idea to me. I've really been thinking of getting one after my 2019 crosstrek is paid off, but that won't be for a couple of years. [0] https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34277725/ford-f-150-range-extender-ev-pickup-patent/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34277725/ford-f-150-range...

jdcaron 4y ago
It's absolute bonker, the patent got granted. The current state of the patent system is a complete joke.
- runnerup 4y ago
  Completely agree. My coworkers at my current and past job keep patenting ridiculous shit which should be, at most, a blog entry. Not even a conference talk. Definitely not a patent. We should really bring forth exponential fees for patents and copyright.
  - adolph 4y ago
    Here is the patent in question. https://patents.google.com/patent/US10773602B2/en https://patents.google.com/patent/US10773602B2/en
pitaj 4y ago
Oh nice, it's a generator module that turns your EV into a hybrid for long-haul trips. I've been talking about this kind of thing for years. Glad it's finally an option. ~~While this appears to be just extra battery, which is fine, I'd really love to see a generator module that turns your EV into a hybrid for long-haul trips.~~
- mikedelago 4y ago
  From the link in the original comment: > The Drive first spotted the patent, submitted in April 2018 and published on September 15, 2020. Its illustrations show a removable range extender that sits in the bed of a truck and looks like a toolbox. Inside the device would be a small motor, fuel tank, exhaust system, and electronics needed to hook it up to an electric truck.
  - pitaj 4y ago
    Ah, thanks for clarifying. I wasn't paying enough attention.
- bluGill 4y ago
  More importantly, the generator could be rented. 99% of my trips are well within the range of a EV. However for that final 1% renting a generator would be useful to get the rest of the way. Many of those trips are to do other things where a generator would be handy, camping trips for example. An EV+generator is very useful for those who need a generator: generators are most efficient at 80% of their maximum load, in some cases they will burn more fuel at 50% load than 80%! Thus a generator could charge the EV as needed and turn off.
  - pitaj 4y ago
    Yes that would be incredible, especially if there were a standard for interoperability. Imagine just dropping a generator into the frunk, plugging it in, and you're good to go for 500mi instead of 300mi.
- dan_quixote 4y ago
  A.k.a series hybrid. Chevy attempted this with the Volt - it made perfect sense to me but never really caught on.
  - theshrike79 4y ago
    I don't understand why series hybrids didn't catch on. They were a complete no-brainer to me (not a car engineer though). With a regular hybrid you need to have complex clutch arrangements to transfer power from two engines to the wheels simultaneously. In a series hybrid you'd have a fully electric drivetrain and a fuel powered generator, that could always run at optimal efficiency.

jdcaron 4y ago

It's absolute bonker, the patent got granted. The current state of the patent system is a complete joke.

runnerup 4y ago
Completely agree. My coworkers at my current and past job keep patenting ridiculous shit which should be, at most, a blog entry. Not even a conference talk. Definitely not a patent. We should really bring forth exponential fees for patents and copyright.
- adolph 4y ago
  Here is the patent in question. https://patents.google.com/patent/US10773602B2/en https://patents.google.com/patent/US10773602B2/en

pitaj 4y ago

Oh nice, it's a generator module that turns your EV into a hybrid for long-haul trips. I've been talking about this kind of thing for years. Glad it's finally an option. ~~While this appears to be just extra battery, which is fine, I'd really love to see a generator module that turns your EV into a hybrid for long-haul trips.~~

mikedelago 4y ago
From the link in the original comment: > The Drive first spotted the patent, submitted in April 2018 and published on September 15, 2020. Its illustrations show a removable range extender that sits in the bed of a truck and looks like a toolbox. Inside the device would be a small motor, fuel tank, exhaust system, and electronics needed to hook it up to an electric truck.
- pitaj 4y ago
  Ah, thanks for clarifying. I wasn't paying enough attention.
bluGill 4y ago
More importantly, the generator could be rented. 99% of my trips are well within the range of a EV. However for that final 1% renting a generator would be useful to get the rest of the way. Many of those trips are to do other things where a generator would be handy, camping trips for example. An EV+generator is very useful for those who need a generator: generators are most efficient at 80% of their maximum load, in some cases they will burn more fuel at 50% load than 80%! Thus a generator could charge the EV as needed and turn off.
- pitaj 4y ago
  Yes that would be incredible, especially if there were a standard for interoperability. Imagine just dropping a generator into the frunk, plugging it in, and you're good to go for 500mi instead of 300mi.
dan_quixote 4y ago
A.k.a series hybrid. Chevy attempted this with the Volt - it made perfect sense to me but never really caught on.
- theshrike79 4y ago
  I don't understand why series hybrids didn't catch on. They were a complete no-brainer to me (not a car engineer though). With a regular hybrid you need to have complex clutch arrangements to transfer power from two engines to the wheels simultaneously. In a series hybrid you'd have a fully electric drivetrain and a fuel powered generator, that could always run at optimal efficiency.