this post was submitted on 09 Mar 2026
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hmmm
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For things that are "hmmm".
Rule 1: All post titles except for meta posts should be just plain "hmmm" and nothing else, no emotes, no capitalisation, no extending it to "hmmmm" etc.
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I've seen a few pictures like this before. The fun fact part is, this is could actually be pretty damn efficient if done well. Gas powered generators are designed to run efficiently and deliver power at a specific RPM. An gas car's engine has to run and deliver power at a wide range of RPMs, so is generally not running at it's most efficent speed.
Making electricity this way, storing it in the battery and using it to drive a vehicle have their own efficiencies, all less than 100%. Also, these smaller types of generators aren't that efficient to begin with. So I doubt it.
I remember reading an article about a "race" in Australia where they tested this out. The electric vehicle had lower total fuel consumption than the combustion car. Here it is: https://reneweconomy.com.au/tesla-ev-charged-with-diesel-generator-still-cleaner-than-conventional-car-61942/
Gas powered generators are designed to run efficiently for small shitty motors. Gas generators are not efficient. Especially if you care about emissions since they usually lack catalytic converters.
I don't think this guy cares about emissions nor what happens to the generator when he floors the accelerator.
Well, as far as I know Honda hybrids work this way.
New Honda hybrids don't even have driveshafts connecting the engine to the wheels, it's purely for generating electricity. Pretty cool imo
No thanks, will continue driving a 1.9 TDI golf, until It kills itself, because I actually like it.
1.9 PD - fragrance for men
An EV with a range extending gasoline motor could also easily be configured to run at peak efficiency with the added benefit of being within the aerodynamic envelope of the car instead of being a trailered brick.
This is essentially how diesel–electric locomotives work (since almost a hundred years now).
That's how most diesel trains work. The diesel engines run generators that power electric motors.