Capstone Microturbine Helps Power Plug-In Supercar

Electric vehicles with range extender systems – really series hybrid electric vehicles – can make electric cars practical for much more than just city driving. In most cases, extended range is achieved with the use of a small internal combustion engine that drives a generator, which in turn supplies electricity to the electric motor and battery. Thus, extended driving is available even after batteries are depleted. The Chevrolet Volt uses a small four-cylinder gasoline engine for this purpose. Capstone Turbine Corp. is taking a different approach by using the company’s C-30 microturbine as a range extender in its CMT-380 plug-in supercar. The C-30 has already found use in hybrid-electric buses, trolleys, and transit shuttles operating in several U.S. cities as well as in London, Tokyo, Paris, Rome, and Auckland.

The CMT-380 plug-in hybrid is powered by lithium-polymer batteries that can be charged at home or at public recharging stations. The car can operate on battery power alone for up to 80 miles. Then, when batteries reach a predetermined state of discharge, the Capstone C30 microturbine starts up to recharge the batteries and extend driving range up to 500 miles. The C-30 provides 30 kW of electric power and can run on a variety of fuels including natural gas, landfill gas, biodiesel, diesel, kerosene, and propane.
Interestingly, the CMT-380 was developed by Richard Hilleman, Chief Creative Director at video game producer Electronic Arts, with support from Capstone Turbine. The series hybrid system is installed in a Factory Five Racing GTM body and chassis that’s normally powered by a Chevy Corvette V-8. The result is a supercar with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 3.9 seconds and 150 mph top speed.

The CMT-380's microturbine features an electric generator and turbine components mounted on a single shaft supported by air bearings. Capstone microturbines operate at extremely high speeds of up to 96,000 rpm, resulting in a very high power-to-weight ratio. No liquids are needed to lubricate or cool the microturbine so little maintenance is required.
While this microturbine hybrid was developed primarily to showcase the potential of microturbines in hybrid range extender applications, substantial interest has prompted the company to plan for the production of a limited number of these high-tech supercars for discerning customers. No price has been identified.

Source:-http://www.greencar.com/articles/capstone-microturbine-helps-power-plug-supercar.php