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Even the most perfect internal combustion engine only manages to turn 20% of burned energy into motion. You can understand this intuitively by realizing every g
by callalex 5y ago
Even the most perfect internal combustion engine only manages to turn 20% of burned energy into motion. You can understand this intuitively by realizing every gas car has a big radiator whose sole job is to dump energy into the atmosphere quickly.
- ummonk 5y agoPretty sure Skyactiv-X gets 40%+ peak thermal efficiency. As do diesel engines. Toyota's dynamic force engine is up there too.
- callalex 5y agoSure, hooked up to a bench with ideal temperature, RPM, throttle, auspicious planetary positions etc. Put that same engine in a car that drives around and you won’t see anywhere near that.
- adrian_b 5y agoTwo-stroke Diesel engines used in ships have an efficiency well over 50%, up to 59% for those with waste heat recovery systems. High-temperature gas turbines can also have efficiencies over 50%. Modern four-stroke internal combustion engines used in cars and trucks can have an efficiency over 40%, up to 45%. That said, such efficiencies remain low compared to electric motors with efficiencies over 95% and with combined cycle power plants which can reach an efficiency of 65% (while power plants with heat cogeneration may reach efficiencies around 80%).
- bluGill 5y agoThe efficiency of a modern engine at best is what you say. However in the real world you rarely see the best and so the other claim is also right, your typical car is running around 20%efficient ,but it can get over 40