To boost the sales of the Leaf there is an unexpected method, add a thermal engine. Not a big one of course but a very small one in the form of a micro range extender. Propose it as an option, and soon, all the ones that don’t buy it because of range anxiety or simply the actual occasional longer trip, will start to flock to buy this car. An option is not an obligation but it is an obligation to propose it if you want the option to sell more.

I'm guessing, Anthony, that Priusmaniac is alluding to a Stirling engine . . .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_engine

. . . which are certainly neat devices. I once witnessed an impressive demo of a tiny stirling engine running full tilt in the middle of a parabolic solar reflector. The only thing missing was a solar tracking device to keep the engine constantly operating (the person demonstrating was constantly having to reposition the mirror to keep the engine going, as the reflector had poor off-axis performance) and a system for utilizing the output energy. It certainly had potential, though.

Here's another one I came across lately, a micro stirling inside a puck-shaped enclosure that converts either the heat or cold of a beverage placed on top of it into electricity for charging a cell phone . . .

http://inhabitat.com/epiphanys-onepuck-charges-your-cell-phone-with-your...

Certainly an impressive idea, but I'm not too sure how well that one would work under real world circumstances. My little stainless steel espresso cup (I take in into the to-go places, in order to not consume an endless stream of throw-away paper ones) is pretty well insulated and, a gulp or two later, I'm done . . . probably long before I even get my phone out of the messenger bag.

I'm only guessing, Anthony, but he might be thinking about the excess heat from the batteries. Not sure how one would go about directing that heat but It's an Interesting idea that begs further consideration.

Yeah, my attempt to post the hyperlink is also bringing up the spam filter. Interestingly, there are a couple of Free Piston Power sites. To get to the one you want, Priusmaniac, type in "http://www." first then (with no space in between) "freepistonpower.com" Not typing "http://" first takes you someplace else.

Now that all of us who are posting on Plug In Cars are registered users (a good policy, I believe,) perhaps the site owners can trim back the intensity settings on those filters.

Quick charging is interesting but the physics numbers tell that you need to have loading powers in the order of the megawatt to be able to match the filling speed of a gasoline tank. I don’t say it is not feasible, but at least for now and for the close future, a micro range extender is a more available and affordable solution. Besides it also brings energy flexibility, cogeneration for heat possibility and power to the house possibilities. A Leaf with such an option doesn’t need to be very different because you can package a micro generator in a very small place, perhaps have it in place of the spare tire. We all know many Leaf Byers like pure EV’s and wouldn’t take the option, but even them would appreciate seeing the purchase price drop thanks to a broader market base, and that is exactly what the option of a range extender can bring. Imagine the price of a Camry if it was sold at 50000 numbers, it would be way up what it is now.