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One of the better suggestions I have heard was an all electric car where you could use an external generator for long trips. 95+% of the time you don't need and

One of the better suggestions I have heard was an all electric car where you could use an external generator for long trips. 95+% of the time you don't need and save a lot of weight over a hybrid... Why is this better than a hybrid? Would the generator be powerful enough to provide enough electricity to operate the car? If so, I have a hard time seeing how you would save weight or how it would be more efficient, since you're going to have more steps in the process, each with more efficiency loss.

Retric 18y ago
A 30hp generator would be sufficient to give a car essentially unlimited range, but it adds a few grand in cost, 4-500 lb's of weight and a host of mechanical issues. If you don't need it 95% of the time what's the value in dragging it around? If you can rent it for less than the cost of ownership what's the value in renting it?