Unfortunately, the easiest way to make a more efficient engine, nuclear-electric propulsion, is controversial.
Immelt calculates GE eventually could get up to 10 cents of every dollar spent on electric propulsion.
But getting the cost down much further is really a launch issue, and electric propulsion could be the solution.
"It is feasible to take Galileo satellites up with electric propulsion, if the technology is available and mature enough, " commented OHB's Ingo Engeln.
The ELR will run on an electric propulsion system made of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit and a four-cylinder engine generator.
In this incarnation, the 2-seater would use electric propulsion around town then fire up its twin-turbo V6 diesel to push to peak speeds and extended range.
It has a crew of 20 plus 24 scientists, and features a special hull that diverts bubbles that interfere with sonar operations, and a high-efficiency diesel-electric propulsion system.
They are betting on their experience in designing and building electric motors for ship propulsion systems for the US Navy.
Plug-in hybrids use mainly electric motors and batteries for propulsion, relegating gasoline to occasional use to extend the battery range.
With the blessing of founder and Karma-designer Henryk Fisker, the tiny VL team set about converting several extended-range electric Karmas to gasoline-only propulsion.
FORBES: Why I'm 'Desecrating' Fisker's Beautiful Electric Sedan With A Brawny Gasoline Engine
Conventional hybrids use mainly the gasoline engine for propulsion, drawing on the electric drive and batteries only occasionally to (impressively) improve gasoline efficiency.
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