I been thinking, and it seems to me our future vehicles would be best suited with a small 1~ liter diesel engine turning a generator to power 4 electric motors at the wheels of the car/truck, just like locomotives use.
Advantages would be significantly increased fuel economy, AWD, no transmission and axle weight(offset by weight of batteries, longer lasting diesel engine, easier and cheaper to repair due to small engine size, fewer moving parts, and decreased complexity, regenerative braking, significantly reduced emmissions, less noise, no idling when not moving.....
Seems the advantages would vastly outweigh the disadvantages...Does anyone build such a vehicle?
Advantages would be significantly increased fuel economy, AWD, no transmission and axle weight(offset by weight of batteries, longer lasting diesel engine, easier and cheaper to repair due to small engine size, fewer moving parts, and decreased complexity, regenerative braking, significantly reduced emmissions, less noise, no idling when not moving.....
Seems the advantages would vastly outweigh the disadvantages...Does anyone build such a vehicle?