Chinese research and development company Techrules has unveiled two concept electric super cars, AT96 and GT96, at the Geneva International Motor Show 2016.
These concept electric cars are based on TREV (Turbine-Recharging Electric Vehicle) technology.
The company claims that the TREV concept is the answer for the next-generation electric vehicles which can have higher range and deliver higher efficiency.
With TREV technology, a micro-turbine is connected to a generator which generates electricity and it is connected to the battery pack.
The turbine does not drive the car directly, but it only helps in generating electricity through the electric generator. It is merely a range extender for the electric vehicle.
Air is drawn into the micro turbine and is passed through a heat exchanger where heat from the exhaust is transferred to the cold intake air after it has been compressed. Ignition of this compressed and heated fuel-air mixture generates enormous energy that drives the turbine at high speeds.
Techrules, chief technology officer, Matthew Jin, explains: "In the conventional cars that dominated the 20th century, the combustion engine that converts a fuel's chemical energy into a useful mechanical energy is also the driving engine that turns the wheels.
"Because turbines have always been a very inefficient way to convert chemical energy into useful wheel turning mechanical energy, only a few have tried to use a turbine in the powertrain system, and none have ever succeeded commercially.
"But, with electric vehicles, an electric motor is used to drive the wheels, which effectively frees the combustion engine to exclusively convert chemical energy into mechanical energy and finally into electric energy.
"This is a major breakthrough, making it possible for us to use the highly efficient turbine engine as a superb range extender on our vehicles."
The company says that it will introduce electric super cars based on the TREV technology in the coming years.
According to the company, TREV is a range extender system that uses a micro-turbine to generate electricity that charges the battery pack.
This battery pack will power the motors that drive the wheels.
With newly developed battery management technologies result in superior charging efficiency.
Such superior charging and minimized battery usage can eliminate the need for extra batteries thus saving on weight and space.
The battery in these concept cars can produce peak power of 768kW (1030hp/1044PS). This power can propel the vehicle from 0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds and the vehicle can reach a top speed of 350km/h.
The range of the vehicle stands at 2000km, which is huge in comparison to regular electric vehicles which have a range of not more than 250km. Its fuel consumption is 0.18liters/100km (1569mpg).
Techrules, founder and CEO, William Jin said: "The TREV system is a perfect combination of micro turbine and electric vehicle technologies."
"It is highly efficient, produces very low emissions and provides an optimal charging solution for electric vehicles.
"We believe it may redefine how the next generation of electric vehicles is powered."
