XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com   
      
   Greg Goss  wrote   
   > Rod Speed  wrote   
   >> Greg Goss  wrote   
      
   >>>> No, its nothing like the Volt. The Volt is a full hybrid.   
   >>>> The i3 is an electric car with an optional generator.   
      
   >>> Is the BMW "optional" engine removable?   
      
   >> No, but that is just one implementation of an electric   
   >> car with an optional range extender that uses a generator.   
      
   >>> If it is not, then how is it different from a Volt?   
      
   >> The Volt is a hybrid, with the engine driving the car,   
   >> not just a generator.   
      
   > How is the BMW different than "a small ...  engine ...   
   > powers a 55 kW generator to extend the Volt's range."   
   > (Wikipedia) other than using half as big an engine?   
      
   It only ever generates electricity, the Volt engine   
   drives the transmission directly in some situations.   
      
   >>> The description that was linked earlier in the thread   
   >>> made it sound like an option at purchase time, like air   
   >>> conditioning, not something that gets slid into the trunk.   
      
   >> Yes, but that is just that particular implementation.   
      
   >> There is no reason it couldn't be done the other way   
   >> so its only in the car when you plan to do a longer   
   >> trip outside the range of the car without it.   
      
   > When someone does it the other way,   
   > then it's not the same idea as the Volt.   
      
   I said all along that that it is nothing like the Volt.   
      
   > Until they do, it's the same as any other plug-in   
   > hybrid such as the Volt or one of the Priuses.   
      
   Nope, because those don't have the   
   engine JUST generating electricity.   
      
   >> That one isnt that heavy, it's a motorbike engine.   
      
   > It isn't "that" heavy, but how many random commuters   
   > can pick up a fallen 650cc bike when it falls over?   
      
   You don't have to if the design allowed for a   
   decent system for including it in the car when   
   you plan to do a trip where some of the   
   route segments are outside the car's range.   
      
   > My wife had serious trouble with the   
   > 50cc bike on our training course.   
      
   Sure, but it wasn't a generator that was designed so   
   that anyone could add it to their car when needed.   
      
   >>> Few people have the pulleys or whatever to manhandle them.   
      
   >> You don't need those if its designed to allow   
   >> the user to have it in the car when its necessary.   
      
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