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> I've never heard of a hybrid where you can just...turn off the hybrid-ness, and make it operate 100% as an ICE vehicle. This seems easy to do: never charge t
by tommiegannert 4y ago
> I've never heard of a hybrid where you can just...turn off the hybrid-ness, and make it operate 100% as an ICE vehicle.
This seems easy to do: never charge the battery, or only charge it from the ICE.
What am I missing?
- miloignis 4y agoHybrids are generally significantly more efficient that ICE cars because it keeps the engine in the "sweet spot", efficiency-wise. If the sweet spot for engine efficiency is more power than you're using, then the extra power goes towards charging the battery. If the sweet spot is less power than you need, it can make up some of the difference with the electric motor using previously stored power. People talk a lot about plugging them in, or regenerative breaking, but that's overlooking the main way they work, which is in concert with the ICE to make it more efficient. (caveat: I'm not an expert, but own a hybrid and had a long discussion with an engineer friend who had just taken a hybrid powertrain class)
- pandaman 4y agoIt's a particular scheme of hybrid where the engine is not connected to the wheels but a generator. I don't think any of these are made in Germany, at least in the form of a car. This is popular on heavy trucks and some Japanese micro-cars. Normally a hybrid runs its engine just like a regular car and supplements it with an electric motor when possible.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- pandaman 4y agoEven then a hybrid will recuperate energy when braking. The "Earth-saving-mobile" of early 2000s, Toyota Prius did not even allow plug-in charging.