3 ms·
In a Chevy Volt, there’s a mechanism that mechanically attaches the motor to the wheels at speed above 35 mph for greater efficiency but below that it is a pure
by Robotbeat 5y ago
In a Chevy Volt, there’s a mechanism that mechanically attaches the motor to the wheels at speed above 35 mph for greater efficiency but below that it is a pure serial hybrid, disconnected from the wheel directly. But it rarely ever runs the engine. Pretty much only if you run out of charge.
- mikepurvis 5y agoAh, spiffy— that's neat to know that it can switch modes like that. Looks like this has been a matter of evolution over time, too: https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096942_2016-chevrolet-volt-powertrain-how-it-works-in-electric-hybrid-modes https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1096942_2016-chevrolet-... I guess if you were only connected at higher speeds, that would also greatly simplify the transmission story, since you probably no longer need 1-3.
- Robotbeat 5y agoThe Chevy Volt actually uses a continuously variable transmission for that. Makes it sound really weird as there’s not a direct correlation between the sound of the motor and the speed you’re driving.