The Techrules AT96 TREV Electric Concept ($TBA) has just debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, and it reportedly gets over 1,200 miles per charge. If that’s the case, it would definitely go a long way in resolving range anxiety for electric car owners.
The car’s name TREV refers to the Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle system. It’s a range extending system that generates about 20 kilowatts per hour and charges a Lithium-Manganese-Oxide battery pack.
TechRules explains the technology this way, “Air drawn into the microturbine is passed through a heat exchanger where heat from the exhaust air is transferred to the cold intake air after it has been compressed. Ignition of the compressed and heated fuel-air mixture generates enormous energy which is channeled at very high speeds to turn the turbine vanes. As this hot exhaust gas is expelled, it passes through the heat exchanger to ensure the heat energy is recuperated and transferred to cold intake air.”
But what about performance? The AT96 supposedly does 0-62 in under 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph. Now one thing to keep in mind, the AT96 runs on aviation fuel and is meant for the track. They will be releasing a GT96 version that runs on standard gas and is designed for the road.
