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The problem with this approach (called a "serial hybrid powertrain") is that it's much less efficient than a parallel hybrid like the Prius. You can see it in

The problem with this approach (called a "serial hybrid powertrain") is that it's much less efficient than a parallel hybrid like the Prius. You can see it in the fuel economy figures: the Volt gets much lower highway fuel economy when it's running on gas than the Prius does, and only makes up for it on shorter trips where it takes advantage of its relatively large all-electric range. If you're doing a lot of highway driving, the Prius is a much better choice, both for fuel efficiency and for price. Using a gas engine just to generate electricity, and then running that through some conversions and battery storage before using it to run drive motors just isn't as efficient as using the ICE to drive the wheels directly. Or maybe GM does a crappy job of it, but the fuel economy figures speak for themselves.

ZeroGravitas 11y ago
Yes, it's less effecient if you're actually using the engine but the aim would be to not use the engine, and purely use battery storage as much as possible. There's graphs of average driving distance, the idea would be to get 90+% of those miles (daily commutes etc.) done with grid-supplied electricity, and the gas engine to be a once in a while thing (assuming you even need one, it is after all an optional extra that you need to pay for on the i3). At that point you can start to save on the engine expenses too (I think the i3 one is repurposed from a motorbike?)
- Grishnakh 11y ago
  >Yes, it's less effecient if you're actually using the engine but the aim would be to not use the engine, and purely use battery storage as much as possible. Yes, but a parallel hybrid powertrain like Toyota's shouldn't be any worse here. The Prius also has a plug-in version which can run on battery alone for a certain distance, and it only spins up the engine when needed for more power or because the battery is too low. Of course, the Prius doesn't have the Volt's all-electric range, but it also has a much smaller battery (and lower price).

ZeroGravitas 11y ago

Yes, it's less effecient if you're actually using the engine but the aim would be to not use the engine, and purely use battery storage as much as possible. There's graphs of average driving distance, the idea would be to get 90+% of those miles (daily commutes etc.) done with grid-supplied electricity, and the gas engine to be a once in a while thing (assuming you even need one, it is after all an optional extra that you need to pay for on the i3). At that point you can start to save on the engine expenses too (I think the i3 one is repurposed from a motorbike?)

Grishnakh 11y ago
>Yes, it's less effecient if you're actually using the engine but the aim would be to not use the engine, and purely use battery storage as much as possible. Yes, but a parallel hybrid powertrain like Toyota's shouldn't be any worse here. The Prius also has a plug-in version which can run on battery alone for a certain distance, and it only spins up the engine when needed for more power or because the battery is too low. Of course, the Prius doesn't have the Volt's all-electric range, but it also has a much smaller battery (and lower price).