Electric cars a bad idea?

[Triathlete]

I am by no means an engineer...
Why do we need to charge an electric vehicle in the first place? Why can they not put electric generators on the axles, wheels, and or drive lines? As you drive the generators produce power and recharge the batteries! Self contained system. I am an f'n genious!

[Grif]

I am by no means an engineer...
Why do we need to charge an electric vehicle in the first place? Why can they not put electric generators on the axles, wheels, and or drive lines? As you drive the generators produce power and recharge the batteries! Self contained system. I am an f'n genious!

Regenerative braking systems exist in all modern electrics and hybrids. They attempt to put as much electricity back into the battery as they can by capturing the kinetic energy of the vehicle as it slows down then converting it to electricity which then helps charge the battery.

First and second laws of thermodynamics. You don't need to be an engineer, a high school education will do.