3 ms·
Why have the ICE be strictly a generator? If you have one, it’s far more efficient to use it to drive the wheels. Toyota’s Prius effectively does this using bat
by kayodelycaon 6y ago
Why have the ICE be strictly a generator? If you have one, it’s far more efficient to use it to drive the wheels. Toyota’s Prius effectively does this using batteries during periods when using the ICE would be inefficient. (Generally, it isn’t perfect.)
- VBprogrammer 6y ago> If you have one, it’s far more efficient to use it to drive the wheels. I don't think this is as cut and dried as you think. Generators are ~90% efficient. Gearboxes and differentials aren't 100% efficient either. If you are already carrying enough motor to propel you without an engine then you can size the ICE closer to average load than peak load potentially getting back a bit of efficiency.
- gbrown 6y agoThe idea is that you can tune/simplify the motor to run at one or a few RPMs, and also simplify the drive train.
- snarf21 6y agoRight, the intent would be to run at only a single very efficient RPM for the purpose of generation with no directional power transitions.