EV charging and hydro generation/distribution challenges

[Coke6pk]

I don't think the physics works out, since perpetual motion isn't a thing and we lose a lot of kinetic energy to air friction and road friction. Certainly cars are more aerodynamic than in the past, and I bet that regenerative braking also helps reduce particulate emissions from braking. But I'd rather redesign cities to require less driving.

I'm not sure what is meant by charging themselves. A few production EVs have solar panels, but AFAIK none of those solar panels are used to charge the main propulsion battery, and are only used to run auxillary equipement.

In terms of running a larger capacity, with less frequent charging, this to me, is suboptimal. A main benefit in the user experience of an EV is that one does not need to monitor and periodically refuel the vehicle, you just plug in on arrival home and you never need to think about it or make a trip to a fueling station. (This is of course, not including long trips which require planning and charging). If some background elecronics want to monitor charge levels and optimize power consumption by not charging all the time, while maintaining sufficient range for my daily trips, I suppose that would be fine--that is the smart grid idea after all. Tesla's already moderate charging, by not fully charging the batteries unless requested, but this is to increase battery longevity rather than for any power consumption goals.

(And yes, I am absolutely creating a new tangent to this original tangent).

My comment was do non-hybrid EV's "recharge themselves" to supplement  the plug in, not replacing it... I realize perpetual motion isn't a thing.

My thoughts were more of a plug in and charge for 1/2 hr as opposed to a 3 hr charge if the battery wasn't drained over the course of a trip because it was regenerated by braking, wheel turning etc.

Coke