Is there any discussion of "range extender" that is a towable gas powered generator? If there is such a thread, please point me to it.
It seems to me a 15kW generator running flat out could extend the Leaf range easily to 300 miles.
At 75MPH the Leaf gets about 3.5 mi/kWH. So, in 1 hour, about 18kWH will be consumed. If the generator is supply a steady 15kW, then the average load on the batteries would be only 5kW per hour. The Leaf pack should last about 4-6 hours easily at that rate.
As energy demand fluctuates, any excess from the 15kW generator can be used to recharge the battery.
4 hours at 75 MPH is 300 miles. If you stop an hour for lunch or dinner, the generator could replinish the battery fully. It seems to me this would make a 500 mile full day trip reasonable.
I would imagine the generator would be a small trailer attachment. This would keep the generatir noise away from the car.
Has anyone heard of anyone pursing such a thing?