Ya, I'm not sure why I am defending it, just thought it was interesting.
I don't think the batteries would be the issue, just the over sized alternator to keep it running...

 

And the HHR Has Electric Power Steering.

 

Saw this online today, so someone at Nissan thinks electric supercharging may have potential.

Nissan Altima Hybrid – Braille Battery "Hot Rod Hybrid" Race Car
Weight 2970.5 pounds (3485 stock)
"Hot Rod Hybrid" System: 2.5 Liter Inline 4 Cylinder – Ethanol E85 Fuel Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous – Braille Battery Powered
"Hot Rod Hybrid" Horsepower* 440 HP
Modifications – Ethanol E85* Vortech Electric Supercharger DCHSEO-P1
Modifications – Electric Drive* Braille Battery Carbon Racing Pack – Phase 1 Experimental
Horsepower Peak – Ethanol E85* 270 HP @ Crank / 270 @ Crank - Estimated
Torque – Electric* 240 lb/ft @ 0 – 1500 rpm, Voltage 650 Volt Max

 

To date there has been no Electric supercharger that is worth mentioning. When I was at sema this year there was one booth with electric superchargers. They didn't have ANY proof that they worked. Only that in theory should make 20-50 more HP, but they still haven't figured out how to make one that functions and produces results.

 

I can't find any other website that even shows a Vortech Electric Supercharger

 

There may not be any electric superchargers that are currently in wide use, but there seems to be a trend in this direction.
Garrett has developed an electrically enhanced turbo charger that doubles as an alternator when it is spooled up by the exhaust, but can use the battery to spool itself up from idle.
I am not saying that we should all run out and get one of these, only that it is interesting technology that may someday......

 

http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/

The reason for this post in the first place is to ponder how easy it would be to add supercharging without rerouting exhaust or adding heavy drive belts. This type of system could be mounted remotely with ease. If hybrids can move the car with battery power at speed, enough power for running a supercharger for short bursts, 30-60 seconds, is easy to imagine. Rarely do you need the boost for longer periods of time, and even so, the need would likely be at low boost pressure easily handled by the system. While none of the systems is ready for prime time, it should not be long before a system that works is available. Think of it as a NOX system that does not need expensive and frequent recharging.

 

I see no electric versions on the web site.......

 

I didn't find any either, but SEMA is where manufacturers show off their new and experimental stuff. Vortech has a very good reputation in that particular business, and I'm sure they wouldn't want to jeopordize their business before they did lots of R & D. Anybody emailed them about the model number?

 

Do some math, fellows.

Even a small, pansy compressor is going to require at least 20 HP of power to drive it and produce any meaningful results. This is extremely conservative, as a supercharger on a 6 Liter V8 can easily consume 60+ HP.

1 HP equals 746 watts, so even a uselessly small 10 HP electric motor equals 7,460 watts of power. Assuming an electrical system putting out 14 Volts running, this equates to over 530 Amps of current. Anyone ever seen the size of a 10 HP electric motor?