Re: version 3.0: The MR2 gets a gas turbine engine (Project Outline)
now we need batteries, let's say 45seconds of full capacity power. some quick math tells you that the bigger reason for many batteries will be the voltage requirement, not the ultimate capacity. the highlander motors take 288V so 300V is probably a reasonable target. so we need 25 of the smallest cheap batteries. the smallest cheap battery is about 30lbs, it can be brought down to 1/2 that weight with a bit more spending. so 400lbs by the time you add the brackets & such.
the controller will be at least 50lbs. and the turbine is 100lbs so that puts the whole drivetrain at 824lbs.
there's also the issue of having about $6k wrapped up in that drivetrain.
Don't use batteries. You won't need to store the power for long periods of time, just during decelerations. Which are quickly followed up by accelerations which is where you need more power then the turbine provides. Find, or make, large capacity capacitors to use instead of heavy batteries. Caps can also source more amps then can batteries.