reasonably could we take the engine out of a nissan leaf and put it in a sports car with similar results?

Question

my idea was to take an engine like the nissan leaf is running where its all electric and put it in like a 00 camaro. the only problem is how would this work? i know many cars are hybrids where they run off of gas and electricity but i want pure electric with style. speed is not that important to me as the thought of never having to pay for gas again whats your idea. and why are hybrids always so ugly? prius leaf ect.

Answer 1

- whats your idea

If you have the money, go for it. However, the Camaro is quite heavy and about as aerodynamic as an outhouse, so don't expect long range. The others you mention won't be much better. I'd expect about 25 miles to 35 miles from any of them.

- and why are hybrids always so ugly?

Modern cars like the Leaf and Prius are styled for low aerodynamic resistance. Form following function is never ugly. Three box styling is sooooo last century (and boring to boot because it's just another me-too car).

Answer 2

You're kidding right? So you want to transplant the 80 kW AC motor, 24 kWh lithium-ion battery, 3.3 kW on-board charger and 1-speed direct drive into a Camaro?  And then you would have a "cool' looking coal-powered car? Completely unfeasible and rather silly...short answer, NO!

Edit: In point of fact the solar charger is for the 12 volt DC accessory systems, you know...the radio, Nav system, etc. it has nothing to do with the 345 volt DC L-I battery whose output is then inverted to AC to power the drive motor! That battery can only be charged by a 220 volt AC home charging station (takes about 8 hours, but it can call you on your cell and tell you it's done), they must be installed by AeroVironment for @ $2000. Commercial level 3 / 480 volt AC chargers are almost nonexistent...did I mention I work for Nissan?

Answer 3

The electric motor and battery would move the Camaro but it would in no way be practical or be able to even get out of its own way. It would cost you alot more to try and retro fit the electric system out of the Leaf into the Camaro than it would ever be worth, you would save more money buying gas for the Camaro than doing something like this.

Also just to let you know the Leaf does not have an engine, it has an electric motor. An engine runs off of fuel and combustion, a motor runs off of electricity.

Hybrids need to be small light weight cars to be efficient, and  as far as design goes I do not know what kind of drugs the engineers were on when they designed them but I agree they are butt ugly.

Areodynamic as an outhouse I like that one Jerry, but as far as the low aerodynamic resistance goes the Camaro is a wedge shaped car not too bad for aerodynamics, and true if the design is functional and aerodynamic it works but that still does not mean that is is not butt ugly, of course that is just some of our opinions I guess gotta give props I guess!

Even if you don't have to pay for gas you still gotta pay for power one way or another, and you will spend a pile initially to get the electric car or hybrid so some number crunching is in order pay 35 grand for new technology or 20 grand for a plain engine powered car, how long will it take you to spend 15 grand in gas?

Also today's electrics have a max range of about 45 miles or so I before the battery dies and you are stranded, I will laugh and point at you as I keep on going in my gasoline powered car and loving my 35mpg.