CA to NY in 58 hours in Tesla Model S

[HTSS_TR]

Quote:
Rally race driver Alex Roy just completed a 2,700-mile sprint from California to New York behind the wheel of an Autopilot-enabled Tesla Model S in an impressive 57 hours and 48 minutes, spending most of that time hands-off.

Roy is best known in automotive circles for setting a coast-to-coast record in a gasoline-powered car in 2006, which he completed in an astounding (and, naturally, very illegal) 31 hours and 4 minutes(average speed of 87 MPH).


The times above are total time on the road, includes fill up gas tank(or charge battery), bathroom breaks, breakfast & lunch & dinner ...

Cover 2700 miles in 31 hours is very impressive.

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/alex-roy-claims-coast-coast-200957328.html

 

[Turk]

So the cops just let him continue? Special road privilege or not?

 

[BRZED]

Wearing a CamelBak and adult diapers, I can beat that.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Turk
So the cops just let him continue? Special road privilege or not?

He averages less than 50 MPH with Model S, he spent a lot of time charging his battery. Also, he didn't go direct route to NY as when he was with normal gasoline car.

The 87 MPH average was with gasoline car, a BMW M5.

 

[lubricatosaurus]

He could tow a trailer with a small gas tank and a Honda generator back there for longer range. Recharge while driving.

 

[CT8]

It takes a large amount of electricity to charge the batteries.

 

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
He could tow a trailer with a small gas tank and a Honda generator back there for longer range. Recharge while driving.


I know this is probably tongue in cheek, but I'm guessing the car wouldn't allow that.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
He could tow a trailer with a small gas tank and a Honda generator back there for longer range. Recharge while driving.


Push trailers have become quite stylish these days...

http://www.metrompg.com/posts/phev-pusher-trailer.htm

 

[JimPghPA]

As I have said,

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: CT8
It takes a large amount of electricity to charge the batteries.



The Top Gear team tried a variation of this with the Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust


http://topgear.wikia.com/wiki/Hammerhead_Eagle_i-Thrust

 

[hattaresguy]

Alex Roy is a well known Gumball competitor.


But the record is under 30 hours, Jay Leno had the guys who did it in his garage but pulled the video because he can't be seen endorsing illegal driving. They averaged 91mph across the US in a Ferrari 575M modified with an extra fuel tank, I believe the time was 27-28 hours.

Out west at night they said they ran 170+ for hours and when they got to CA they rented a garage and stuffed the car in it for 6 months because LEO was looking for them.

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
He could tow a trailer with a small gas tank and a Honda generator back there for longer range. Recharge while driving.


Push trailers have become quite stylish these days...

http://www.metrompg.com/posts/phev-pusher-trailer.htm


Good article on that. My thought was (a) below. The (b) push trailer is unstable, a bad idea.

"EV inspiration

Not surprisingly, industrious electric vehicle (EV) builders solved a similar problem years ago. Seeking to extend their cars' ranges beyond their batteries' limits, some have constructed special trailers that permit them to do just that. These trailers are either:

(a) portable generators that provide power to the tow vehicle while driving (essentially making it a gas/electric hybrid), or,

(b) self-contained internal combustion engine (ICE) drivetrain units that actually propel the EV from behind - a "pusher" trailer."

With some minor hardware/software modifications, you could recharge at least some while driving, even if it doesn't always keep up entirely (watts produced < watts consumed).

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Originally Posted By: cpayne5
Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
He could tow a trailer with a small gas tank and a Honda generator back there for longer range. Recharge while driving.


I know this is probably tongue in cheek, but I'm guessing the car wouldn't allow that.


Some minor modifications to hardware/software interfaces would be needed on a stock vehicle, you're right. Not tough stuff to do. Think of it this way: You have a hose drawing water from a bucket at 10 gallons/minute, while your friend fills the bucket up with a hose at 4 gallons/minute. You see your bucket will still run dry (out of charge analogy) but go farther.

Now say a Tesla needs 15 hp to cruise steady on flat ground, and your tiny Honda generator can only muster 10 hp. When you slow down or stop, your battery charges, but when underway at top speed, up hills, or when accelerating, the Honda generator will lag behind. You could run out of charge, but adding whatever you can will extend the Tesla's range.