An even higher-tech solution will be the e-Turbo, which uses an electric motor, rather than a vehicle’s exhaust, to spin its turbine blades. “I can confirm we are working on the development,” Ulrich Weiss, a senior Audi engineer, recently told Australia’s Drive magazine.

Sounds like turbos are here to stay in perhaps even more advanced configurations?

 

It came from Formula One.
It's here to stay.

 

There's a big push to take mechanical load away from the engine and turn it into electrical load. This fits into that strategy well.
Could greatly reduce turbo lag.

 

I'm really looking forward to it!

 

My buddy had mentioned this to me the other day, but I didn't really even consider how cool it is until the post. Nothing like taking an old concept and making it better.

 

There is no mechanical load from a turbocharger. A turbocharger utilizes wasted energy from the exhaust to produce boost.

 

Do they create a little back pressure?

 

Recardo, a major automotive engineering house is testing electrified hybrids combined with an electric supercharger, here is a video from Jay Lenos garage testing a focus with this tech, Jay Leno drives Ricardo HyBoost (modified Ford Focus)

 

This is old technology, kind of.

Leaf Blower Supercharger Our Twin Leaf Blower Setup Photo 5

 

Or this one:

 

Exactly. The whole point of this is to replace the supercharger in twincharged setups. It prevents turbo lag, but without constantly drawing power from the engine.

 

You guys are right, I don't know what I was thinking,

 

Turbos create some back pressure.

The problem with electric turbos is they will end up putting a lot more load on the alternator.(battery too) More load on the alternator the harder it is to turn thus the more power it pulls from the engine. I would not doubt the alternator size would have to be increased. As Krewat always says "there is no such thing as a free lunch".

 

U go to 36 or 48 volts maybe even higher say 72 volts to the turbines. The higher voltage pressure takes less amps. Possibly a second alternator. INdustrial equipment already does direct alternating current to vacuum turbines, just the opposite for scrubbers lifting liquids off of stuff. They slave the 2nd alternator to the turbines needs. Ford's top north American motor engineer mentioned it lately on a internet show.

 

"...Ford's top north American motor engineer mentioned it lately on a internet show."
I love it! They are all over this tech.