Electric Plane With Back Up Gas Engine

Volta Volaré (Oregon, USA) is a company apt to produce electric airplane with 1.5-liter gas engine for a back up. Their prototype GT4 can cruise 300 miles on the battery charge and another 700 miles on gas. According to Popular Science, when power supply drops to 25 percent, the gas engine kicks to generate electricity that recharges the battery. The electrical motor of GT4 is powered by a 900-pound lithium-polymer battery containing 236 individual cells that can be moved around to balance the center of gravity of the aircraft. The company apparently planned to develop both 2- and 4-seater models.
Via: inhabitat.com