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[skadamo]

Could electric motorcycles run on gas?     Here is one way to efficiently generate electric current.  It is called a "Free Piston Engine".  It is basically the internal combustion version of ping pong

http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/09/30/free-piston-engine-as-efficient-as-fuel-cells/

[skyclark]

That is quite cool.  I wonder how practical it is and if anyone has built one yet.

[skadamo]

Reading the comments in the article it does not sound like this engine has ever been produced.  There are some interesting points about how it works.  The resistance from the coil and magnets slow the rod after combustion which keeps it from flying out the other side.

[skadamo]

Here is another example of an ICE as an electric power source...

When it comes to alternative anything, few people rank with Dean Kamen. Kamen is best known to most people as the creator of the oft-derided, but certainly innovative Segway scooter. For some time now, Kamen and his staff have been working on a extended range electric vehicle. As with most other EVs of late, energy storage comes in the form of the usual array of lithium ion batteries. The stirling engine will be used to recharge the battery pack making the car useful for more than just urban commuting. If anyone can make the stirling engine work in a car, Kamen might be the one. We'll have to wait and see.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/10/28/dean-kamen-working-on-stirling-engine-assisted-electric-car/

[Bogan]

yeh there seem to be a lot of nicely designed alternatives to the normal four stroke internal combustion engine, a pity only the rotary has ever made it into a production car, or perhaps thats the only one they could manufacture well enough. Though with EV innovation and industry change hopefully well see a few more designs make it to production. My favourite has gotta be the supercharged two stroke diesle engine, which are currently used in some power generators i believe

[skadamo]

Yeah, maybe this application will make the variations more feasible.  I believe the Chevy Volt uses a ICE to charege the batteries when they run out of juice.

Supercharged diesel 2 stroke?  wow, never heard of that.