While new type batteries are making great strides, they must be recharged overnight (using household current) for a trip of fifty or sixty miles. We refer to the LiS and LiFePO4 and Lithium Ion batteries.

These batteries could be utilised successfully in smaller amounts if an on board battery charging system could be invented. One such invention is the slipstream powered charging system. Presently, only a few manufacturers are offering brake regenerating charging systems which are woefully inadequate for significantly charging the batteries. Of course the hybrid vehicles charge while on the go but the presence of a gasoline engine defeats the purpose.

It’s a fact that seventy per cent of the motor’s power is utilised to overcome air pressure after attaining highway speeds. This resistance to the air concerns the frontal area presented by the front wheels, the bumper, the grill area and the windshield.

Several people have come up with the idea of using the slipstream air to power an electric charger, but no one of these various inventions have made it to the factory.

Some have too small air collectors – the funnel-like device behind the radiator area in the front of the car. None of the versions incorporating the hood, roof or sides of the vehicle are very desirable. In addition to the normal grill area, the present day bumper could be grilled to allow air to pass through for additional air pressure at the turbine. Other versions call for extensive tubing extending throughout the vehicle all the way to the rear. This isn’t necessary and uses up valuable space. The turbine could incorporate cup shaped vanes which could collect the air flow from both sides of the turbine housing, doubling its efficiency. It’s not essential to heat this air nor to provide any special exhaust technique other than a bell shaped exhaust edge for better extraction. One inventor calls for a compressed air cylinder for starting the turbine impellers moving. This wouldn’t be required as motor/generator are connected and move with battery power. The battery is the ideal device to store the vehicle’s energy so the considerable weight of the fly wheel isn’t required.