A YouTuber known for his daring engineering projects has taken his Tesla Model S to new extremes. Matt Mikka, from the YouTube channel Warped Perception, decided to modify his electric vehicle with a gasoline engine to address his range anxiety during long road trips. This unusual project has garnered significant attention, but not without its share of challenges and criticisms.
Motivation Behind the Modification
Matt Mikka’s main motivation for this ambitious project was to overcome the limitations of his Tesla Model S’s range. Despite the car’s impressive 400-mile range on a single charge, Mikka wanted to push it further to 1,600 miles without needing to stop for recharging.1 His solution? Install a gasoline engine to generate power while driving.
The Installation Process
Mikka installed a single-cylinder, 400cc, overhead-valve gasoline engine at the rear of his Tesla Model S. The engine was left exposed, giving the car a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. This installation was no small feat and required significant engineering skills and creativity.
Initial Road Trip Challenges
During his 1,600-mile road trip, Mikka encountered several unexpected issues. One significant problem was that the gasoline engine was using fuel faster than it could generate power. At certain speeds, gasoline even started spraying out of the rear of the car. This inefficiency led to new range anxiety, similar to what he initially aimed to avoid.
Noise and Public Reaction
The gasoline engine was outrageously loud, creating disturbances wherever Mikka stopped his Tesla. At night, he left the engine running to charge the battery, much to the dismay of local residents who reported him to the police. The noise issue was compounded by the fact that the motorcycle muffler he added did little to dampen the sound.2
Police Intervention
At one point during his trip, a police officer pulled Mikka over for driving too slowly. The car’s inefficient power generation required him to drive at reduced speeds to maintain the battery’s charge, which created safety concerns on the road. This incident highlighted the impracticality of his modification under real-world conditions.
Efficiency Problems
Despite the ambitious goal, the gasoline engine proved to be wildly inefficient. It was unable to produce enough power to keep up with the car’s consumption, especially at higher speeds. This inefficiency meant that Mikka had to constantly adjust his driving pace to avoid depleting the Tesla battery.
Completion of the Journey
Mikka managed to complete his 1,600-mile journey, but it took much longer than anticipated. The engine ran almost non-stop for seven days, showcasing both the durability and the impracticality of his setup. Despite the hurdles, Mikka saw the project through to the end, demonstrating his commitment to pushing engineering boundaries.
Future Plans
Rather than admitting defeat, Mikka plans to revisit and improve the Tesla’s design. He intends to rebuild the gasoline engine setup to make it bigger and better, aiming to address the issues he encountered during his initial trip. His relentless pursuit of innovation continues to captivate his audience.
Industry Reaction
The video documenting Mikka’s journey has received mixed reactions. While some viewers admired his ingenuity and perseverance, others criticized the project for its impracticality and environmental impact. The video garnered 14,000 likes, indicating a significant interest in his unconventional approach.
Conclusion
Matt Mikka’s modification of his Tesla Model S with a gasoline engine is a testament to human curiosity and the drive to overcome limitations. While the project faced numerous challenges and highlighted the impracticality of such a modification, it also sparked discussions about range anxiety and the future of electric vehicle technology. Mikka’s journey may not have provided a viable solution, but it certainly pushed the boundaries of what is possible.