# Possibly a long shot, but a hybrid option

**URL:** <https://community.electricforum.com/t/possibly-a-long-shot-but-a-hybrid-option/893>\
**Category:** Do It Yourself (DIY)\
**Created:** [August 7, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/possibly-a-long-shot-but-a-hybrid-option/893 "2008-08-07T18:41:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bdeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@bdeck](https://community.electricforum.com/u/bdeck)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/possibly-a-long-shot-but-a-hybrid-option/893/1 "2008-08-07T18:41:53Z")

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I spoke with the engineer who helped design the generator for the car in this book:  
[http://www.megawattmotorworks.com/display.asp?dismode=article&artid=374](http://www.megawattmotorworks.com/display.asp?dismode=article&artid=374)

He said the hybrid generator system they designed fit under the hood of the Miata and could keep the vehicle running while it recharged the batteries.

A one-off build of the generator could be done for about $20,000, but the price would go down with a group buy. If anyone’s interested, I could inquire further.

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**Author:** ![Telco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/47e85d/32.png) [@Telco](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Telco)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2008, 5:57am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/possibly-a-long-shot-but-a-hybrid-option/893/2 "2008-08-08T05:57:03Z")

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Found this link off bdeck’s link. Jay Leno drives the Tesla.

> **[Jay Leno’s Garage](https://www.nbc.com/jay-lenos-garage)**
>
> Jay Leno returns with all-new vehicles, all-new guests and all-new adventures as he drives his passion for cars into your living room.

Pretty slick, and got me thinking. They have the Tesla motor mounted transverse in the rear of the vehicle with a 2 speed transmission. It’s possible to take a FWD transaxle and modify it to work as a RWD unit. Therefore, it would be possible to mount a manual transaxle and electric motor in the rear of a rear wheel drive vehicle. Don’t know why I didn’t think of this before.

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**Author:** ![bdeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@bdeck](https://community.electricforum.com/u/bdeck)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2008, 10:00am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/possibly-a-long-shot-but-a-hybrid-option/893/3 "2008-08-08T10:00:21Z")

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So could an ICE engine be mounted in front and an EV transaxle in the rear, or would that get too heavy? The ICE motor may not need to be strong enough to provide full power – just supplemental power as many current hybrids do.

A supplier of kits intended to be mounted on a transaxle is [www.e-volks.com](http://www.e-volks.com) – see the second photo down on this page: [http://www.e-volks.com/kit3.html](http://www.e-volks.com/kit3.html)