Garett have developed both an electric supercharger (8 psi) and an electric / turbo hybrid. The latter has an electric motor to keep the thing spun up before the airflow is high enough from the exhaust manifold. See link below

 

interesting stuff.

I would love to have a look at those to see how far down the development cycle they are.

I recon they would cost a fortune, the materials needed to make an electric motor work at turbo temps would be pretty exotic.

thanks for the link.

 

Garrett have been working on this for several years after they 'borrowed' the idea from another company, don't remember details.

By all accounts, there are already some out in the open of the turbo/electic jobbies. A race shop in the States is running one on a Celica (new shape) for testing purposes and are reporting good results. They are running the derivative that actually does without a wastegate, but it is thought this will only be any good for low pressure systems.

The full-on electic supercharger has been about for a while, IIRC it is used mainly on trucks and buses but no reason why it couldn't be used on a car I guess.

Exciting times, but wouldn't hold your breath

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