Expert reacts to genius Chevy Bolt driver attaching belt to rear wheel and generator to charge its battery while driving
Published on Sep 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Sep 26, 2025 at 11:21 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
An expert has reacted to a genius Chevy Bolt driver attaching a belt to the rear wheel and a generator to charge its battery while driving.
The internet almost blew up when this picture went viral, with some people declaring that it was a ‘perpetual motion machine’ and most people thinking it was a ‘genius’ solution.
The DIY setup connected a belt from the car’s spinning wheel to a generator, which then allegedly fed power back into the battery.
To non-experts, it looks like the holy grail of EV ownership: free, unlimited range. If the wheels keep spinning, the battery keeps charging, right? Well, not quite.
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This driver has created unlimited free energy, right?
The internet went a bit crazy when they saw a ‘genius’ Chevy Bolt driver who had come up with a solution for an ‘unlimited’ charging hack.
In the post, the driver strapped a generator to the rear wheel of their EV and claimed it could charge the battery while driving.
Surely, this solution is foolproof, right?
It seems that experts don’t quite agree. Because physics doesn’t give out freebies as often as we want it to.
Expert reacts to genius Chevy Bolt driver charging hack
Turns out that not only does this setup fail to extend range, it actually might drain it faster than usual.
That’s because you can’t get more energy out than you put in, and the generator puts drag on the wheel, making it work harder.
Some commenters compared this solution to EV regenerative braking, but that only works because you’re capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted when slowing down.
You can’t generate power while accelerating or cruising; if anything, you’d just be stealing from yourself.
Unfortunately, perpetual motion machines as a concept just don’t work. It doesn’t matter what kind of power they’re generating; the math will just never add up.
Ah, well, maybe one day scientists will come up with an idea for endless, free, clean energy. But at the moment, it’s just a pipe dream.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
