In a remarkable display of innovation and adaptability, a Chinese Tesla owner transformed their vehicle into an “extended-range” electric car to tackle the challenging drive to the Mount Everest viewing platform. This innovative approach minimizes anxiety in remote regions with limited charging facilities.
As a result of navigating the limitations surrounding electric vehicle charging stations outside urban areas, the owner took the initiative to install an 8 kilowatt gasoline-powered generator at the rear of their Tesla. To comply with regulations, a license plate was securely attached to the generator. The generator produces alternating current (AC) energy, which is then routed through an influence strip, enabling the owner to utilize their vehicle’s standard charger to recharge the battery.
As the modified Tesla effortlessly scaled the mountainous terrain, it finally arrived at the Mount Everest viewing platform in Lazi County, situated at an astonishing height of over 5,300 metres. At such an extraordinary height, the owner noted that the generator was capable of delivering a charging output of approximately 3 kilowatts. This translates into an estimated 19 kilometers of varied pace per hour. Utilizing the generator alone would require approximately nine and a half hours of uninterrupted operation. However, the owner emphasized that their primary objective is to top off the battery just enough to reach the next available charging station or provide emergency power when needed, rather than depleting it entirely with the generator’s capacity.
The proprietor confirmed that the generator’s market value was approximately 2,800 yuan, equivalent to around 390 US dollars. While using a generator to recharge energy, the cost of gasoline is approximately 1 yuan (14 cents) per kilometer. Notwithstanding its limited application, the generator remains a vital tool for ensuring seamless energy supply in situations where standard charging options are not feasible, thereby maintaining a reasonable degree of emergency preparedness.
After successfully conquering the Everest expedition, the entrepreneur’s next audacious endeavour is to venture into Tibet’s untouched territories, thereby showcasing the capabilities of their custom-built, long-range electric vehicle designed specifically for adventure travel.
Rather than referring to this electric vehicle as an EREV, it’s more accurate to describe it as a car that travels using an influence generator. This isn’t a genuine variable extender capable of charging the battery while driving; its functionality is limited, and it’s not a cost-effective solution. Despite the perceived benefits of freeway charging, the typical operational cost per kilometer for electric vehicles in China rarely exceeds 0.4 yuan. In fact, a staggering 98% of Chinese freeway service areas now boast the capacity for rapid charging. Although traveling to Tibet, often referred to as the ‘Roof of the World,’ may have understandably sparked a high level of anxiety in the proprietor.
