Micro-jet turbine REEV?

[malcolm]

FEATURE-Jet turbine could power hybrid electric car | Reuters

With automakers racing to develop the most efficient, environmental friendly cars with minimal emissions, the concept of turbine-powered electric vehicles is not new.

But ETV Motors, a private company based just outside Tel Aviv that has raised some $12 million in investments, says it has found a way to make it commercially viable.

It says it has developed a micro-turbine engine to act as an on-board charger and a high-density battery that can power a vehicle for about 60-80 km (35-50 miles) on one charge.

[TEG]

That idea has been done in prototype form a few times.

Turbine powered series-hybrid EV1

The Williams Gas Turbine Power Unit uses a single-shaft, recuperated gas turbine coupled directly to a high-speed permanent-magnet AC generator. This turbine operates between 100,000 and 140,000 rpm, delivering up to 40 kW of electrical power.

Some more:

200MPG from the 200 MPH Micro-Turbine Velozzi Hybrid

ETVMotors announces funding for range-extended EV w/micro-turbine

Ford S-Max based micro-turbine plug-in series hybrid [w/VIDEO]
Turbine powered Series Hybrid S-Max - NASIOC



Green Car Congress: Propane Series-Hybrid Buses for Knoxville and Gatlinburg
Green Car Congress: Capstone Turbine Successfully Demonstrates EPA and CARB 2010 Diesel Engine Emissions

[TEG]

I wonder if they have solved the noise issue. Such high RPMs tend to produce a lot of noise.

Here is another micro-turbine generator:

TMA Power Co.

TMA Power, LLC will introduce to the electric power generation industry a 70 Kw, 3 phase 480volt a/c compact, low weight, mobile, multi-fuel, low noise, no vibration, low emission hybrid-microturbine. Unit operates at variable speed dependent on power demand.

[vfx]

Saw/heard Jay's EcoJet the other day. Got to be one of the coolest sounds to ever come from a car. But I could not imagine the insanity of every car on the road making that din.

[Serge]

I wonder if they have solved the noise issue. Such high RPMs tend to produce a lot of noise.

Supposedly, "even at high speeds you won't hear more than a whisper"