With the ever-growing prominence of electric-powered vehicles, one of the biggest limitations automakers face is battery technology, specifically with regards to EV driving range. In fact, range anxiety is one of the biggest factors limited car shoppers’ interest in EVs, even though a recent study has shown that consumers underestimate the maximum range of their BEVs for their daily commute. While most of the improvements to EVs and batteries seem to revolve around energy efficiency, a company named Gig Performance found a solution that utilizes otherwise wasted energy, and converts it into electrical power to supplement the battery.
Unveiled at SEMA 2022, Gig Performance showcased the Roadkil 5000. This product has the ability to capture lost energy within the suspension system as vibrations and redirect it back into the battery. Additionally, this device functions as a shock itself, as the electrical resistance within the generator has a dampening effect.
“Gig Performance is going to revolutionize how we capture lost energy in vehicles across America,” said CEO Brandon Barkdull. “Our product is helping EVs charge on the go so you can stay on the road longer. Range is the biggest obstacle to EV adoption – we’re excited to help solve this issue with our technology.”
As an added bonus, the Roadkil 5000 is extremely easy to attach and can be added to anything from a semi-truck to an ATV, as long as it has something to attach to. Users can connect as many devices as there are axles to support them.
“The Roadkil 5000 from GIG Performance helps keep vehicles powered, especially electric vehicles, without the need to recharge,” said President and Co-Founder Jon Woodward. “The road beneath your wheels funnels energy to the batteries that increases your power on the move.”
If this device works as advertised, it has the potential to greatly increase consumer confidence in the EV market.
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Comments
Seems like the play here would be shocks / struts that capture energy.
I like the concept. The big question is how much power can this recapture over the course of a road trip. Are we looking at 5% improvement over 100 miles with this system? Without knowing the numbers, there’s no way to properly gauge how successful or necessary this equipment is. But I hope it works and works well.
An obvious related question would be, does the energy gained exceed the cost of the added weight of the device (net energy gain). Cost might be prohibitive, considering labor for installation (assuming one unit for each wheel). Hope to see more about this going forward! I would put some on my Volt for sure…
Will it be cost effective? Nothing new. We bought a flashlite years ago that charges when it’s shaken.
Those didn’t work very well. Had on. Tossed it after a few uses.
Automatic watches work quite well though. It all depends on if the energy generated is worth the added weight, and cost. $200 in added costs for 2% range extension? That could be worth it.
Sounds like typical smoke and mirrors. If this is so good and works like they claim why haven’t Elon Musk’s super engineers discovered this amazing device?
They’re too busy trying to get rid of all the bots on Twitter (before they get laid off).
If it works and adds 5- % per mile it will work well for high mileage drivers
Seems like a smooth interstate trip would yield very little output?
Rougher the road the better …..
Well if that’s the case if truck drivers in California install this could make a ton of money. I-drive-l-5
These are the things that make me look with favor on the future of EV markets. There are so many possibilities and all they need to do is create and keep looking for advancements in this field. On the flip side, the ICE field has been pushed and twisted and nearly everything that could be done to extract more MPG has been applied. There is no devise or system that can regen fuel to go back into your tank.
When you take something like this, the possibilities in renewable energy along with drivers re-learning how to drive in more efficient ways, the future for EV’s becomes all the more promising.
HAHA !!! I bet the break even period of the things is Sixty Years or so…. Will take that long for the vehicle to recoup the added cost of the device over and above a ‘simple – inefficient’ shock absorber…
But the article here says: “Our product is helping EVs charge on the go so you can stay on the road longer…..”.
You must have to drive over the worst washboard road imaginable to recoup enough to see a difference.
Yes Bill H. So let’s just forget about it all and keep driving ICE till the earth implodes. You know, because it would be awful to try and develop more tech to advance our society.
Dan B – things don’t happen because you wave your magic wand….As was previously stated there needs to be a ‘joules per bump’ figure given on these things… I doubt it will be at all practical in most cases.
As far as the wrist watch comment goes… Yes…… But then a wrist watch needs very little energy.
If we could hook up a strain gauge to measure the bump- joules the weight of the auto could be measured in giga calories if we only had the solid-state batteries.
Teslas pigeons have the answer.
If this product proves itself to be true as claimed, this will be monumental. Trucking fleets will be the yay or nay. If yay it will be history making.
BEV are dead in 5- years . STOP . Only if solid state battery’s do not Evolve. Then Hydrogen electric will take over the market if the Democrats allow it . Their is no money in Hydrogen because it is everywhere in 2- years it would be dirt cheep.
HAHA! If supposedly BEVs will be dead in 5 years – they won’t REALLY ALL be dead since I can get (and have gotten) 10 years out of an ev with no battery replacement….
Since Hydrogen vehicles are currently effectively DEAD you’ve got your work cut out for you…
Popular Science’s comment back when I was a little kid made a lot of sense – “H2 vehicles are only 50 years away”..
I’d say that statement is still very accurate, haha!
Big ships. Train’s. Semi Trucks Passenger Planes Cars and generators . Al being powered by hydrogen electric . Mostly in Europe. Research ! He He