First, this is not a serious suggestion. I can just imaging what the lawyers might say.
I saw a brief mention of this idea in another thread, but I thought I'd put some numbers to it just for fun.
To reduce "range anxiety" Nissan could add a special function to recharge the batteries by towing the car. This could work behind any tow truck (towing backwards with the front wheels on the ground) or by towing the Leaf on a rope behind most other vehicles. Thus, the liability problem - "What?? :shock: You put in a special function that encourages Buba to tow the Leaf using the 5 foot piece of old rope he had?"
Anyway, I"ll make the rash assumption that if towed at 35 MPH, the motor could be made to charge the batteries at a rate equal to 1/2 the motors power rating. This is 40 KW (107 HP divided by 2 and multiplied by 745 w/HP gives 40,000 watts).
This would give you a 10% charge (enough to get home?) in about 3.5 minutes, or just over 2 miles.
I saw a brief mention of this idea in another thread, but I thought I'd put some numbers to it just for fun.
To reduce "range anxiety" Nissan could add a special function to recharge the batteries by towing the car. This could work behind any tow truck (towing backwards with the front wheels on the ground) or by towing the Leaf on a rope behind most other vehicles. Thus, the liability problem - "What?? :shock: You put in a special function that encourages Buba to tow the Leaf using the 5 foot piece of old rope he had?"
Anyway, I"ll make the rash assumption that if towed at 35 MPH, the motor could be made to charge the batteries at a rate equal to 1/2 the motors power rating. This is 40 KW (107 HP divided by 2 and multiplied by 745 w/HP gives 40,000 watts).
This would give you a 10% charge (enough to get home?) in about 3.5 minutes, or just over 2 miles.