Leo Motors Invents EV Range Extender Using Zinc

Leo has also developed the ZAFC generation system to be operated from inside of a zinc-hybridized electric vehicle (EV). Leo has patented technologies to feed zinc balls into the system automatically, to collect sludge in the filter, and to stop the generation of electricity as soon as the battery is fully charged, or as soon as the driver does not want to charge the battery any further from the ZAFCG. Dr. Kang, CEO of Leo Motors, stated, “Many professionals have tried to develop a system to use ZAFCG from inside the car, but nobody else has succeeded that we know.”

In the test, Leo found that 1 kg of zinc balls can generate 12.5 kW electric energy in its ZAFCG. At 12.5 kW, Leo’s electric compact car can run 126 km (78 miles). The retail price of 1 kg of zinc balls is around $3.40 US. So, Leo’s compact EV costs only $4.40 to run 100 miles by using Leo’s ZAFC generator, which is less than a third of the cost to run a gasoline engine in Korea, when comparing the mileage and cost of the petroleum-based fuels.

The specific gravity of zinc is 7.2, meaning a one-liter container can carry 7.2 kg of zinc balls. Accordingly, it is expected that a compact electric car can run 1,600 miles with a three-liter zinc tank in the car. Thus, a ZAFC hybrid EV can use far less space in the car than an engine generator plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Dr. Kang added, “In Korea, we believe the energy cost efficiency of zinc used in ZAFCG can compete against crude oil, not only in EVs but in many circumstances. For example, a thermoelectric power plant can replace oil with zinc without cost burden, and in doing so can make itself into a zero emission thermoelectric power plant.”

In addition, the “sludge” collected in the filter of the ZAFCG, which is zinc oxide, has economic value as it can be recycled or can be used as valuable raw material for rubber in tires, ointments to prevent bacteria and fungi from reproducing, a sunscreen and in paints, and in other applications.

Leo Motors is a Korean company incorporated in Delaware and engaged in the development, manufacture and sale of electric vehicles (“EVs”) and EV components. Leo has designed many original EVs and has converted many models of existing internal combustion engine (“ICE”) vehicles into EVs, including scooters, motorcycles, full speed sedans, highway buses and trucks. Leo Motors has also developed several original EV components, and is actively marketing them as a bundled conversion kit for ICE vehicles.

www.leomotors.com/