3 ms·

> A modern series hybrid like a Toyota Prius is effectively an electric vehicle and a gas generator (which means it has the same efficiency gains due to regener

> A modern series hybrid like a Toyota Prius is effectively an electric vehicle and a gas generator (which means it has the same efficiency gains due to regenerative braking). That gets 52 mpg, which is about 493 Wh/km. Wait, does a new prius or something like a hyundai ioniq (also 52-53 mpg) not have the internal combustion engine mechanically coupled to the transmission and drive wheels anymore?

masklinn 4y ago
They do, but also don’t, the Prius and the Ioniq are series-parallel hybrid so the ICE plugs into a power splitter which can feed into both the mechanical transmission and a generator.
rimliu 4y ago
I've got Civic e:hev, which has kind of similar setup. ICE does drive wheels in some situations (high speed, much power required), but mostly is just EV. It does not even have a gearbox, so there is only direct coupling from ICE to the wheels that can be engaged or disengaged (this is done automatically, you have no manual control over this). I really like this setup, because it gives economy, but also a range and I don't need to worry about where to charge the car.
- sidewndr46 4y ago
  Isn't Honda the dark horse of hybrids? I remember riding in one and the owner explained that apparently Honda chose a hybrid architecture that was different that everyone else. The car's transition from electric to ICE was quite noticeable.
  - kube-system 4y ago
    Honda has had two systems, the earlier “IMA” system which is a mild parallel hybrid. And the current “E-drive” system which is primarily a series hybrid. Series hybrids are actually pretty old tech — it’s how diesel locomotives works. The Chevy Volt also works just about the same way.
    - walrus01 4y ago
      Also how azipods work on some very large ships, the diesel locomotive concept scaled up even more, sometimes with big gas turbine for power generation.
  - rimliu 4y ago
    I don't know how it was, but on the current setup you literally (in the literal sense of the word) feel nothing. The only differentiator is "EV" indicator on the dash.
numpad0 4y ago
No, it’s just reframing. Prius is still that transverse mounted engine going into the torque splitter gear with two motors sandwiching it.
twic 4y ago
Some do, some don't. As an example the Nissan Qashqai is available as a conventional hybrid, with mechanical transmission, and an "e-power" version, where the engine only drives a generator: https://www.nissan.co.uk/range/e-power-cars.html https://www.nissan.co.uk/range/e-power-cars.html
rootusrootus 4y ago
Nope, still parallel hybrids. The closest we've gotten to a true series hybrid was the Chevy Volt, but even then, it was technically a parallel hybrid. I also take issue with anyone calling a hybrid 'effectively an electric vehicle.' That is only true for PHEVs. A regular hybrid still gets exactly 100% of it's energy from gasoline.

masklinn 4y ago

They do, but also don’t, the Prius and the Ioniq are series-parallel hybrid so the ICE plugs into a power splitter which can feed into both the mechanical transmission and a generator.

rimliu 4y ago

I've got Civic e:hev, which has kind of similar setup. ICE does drive wheels in some situations (high speed, much power required), but mostly is just EV. It does not even have a gearbox, so there is only direct coupling from ICE to the wheels that can be engaged or disengaged (this is done automatically, you have no manual control over this). I really like this setup, because it gives economy, but also a range and I don't need to worry about where to charge the car.

sidewndr46 4y ago
Isn't Honda the dark horse of hybrids? I remember riding in one and the owner explained that apparently Honda chose a hybrid architecture that was different that everyone else. The car's transition from electric to ICE was quite noticeable.
- kube-system 4y ago
  Honda has had two systems, the earlier “IMA” system which is a mild parallel hybrid. And the current “E-drive” system which is primarily a series hybrid. Series hybrids are actually pretty old tech — it’s how diesel locomotives works. The Chevy Volt also works just about the same way.
  - walrus01 4y ago
    Also how azipods work on some very large ships, the diesel locomotive concept scaled up even more, sometimes with big gas turbine for power generation.
- rimliu 4y ago
  I don't know how it was, but on the current setup you literally (in the literal sense of the word) feel nothing. The only differentiator is "EV" indicator on the dash.

numpad0 4y ago

No, it’s just reframing. Prius is still that transverse mounted engine going into the torque splitter gear with two motors sandwiching it.

twic 4y ago

Some do, some don't. As an example the Nissan Qashqai is available as a conventional hybrid, with mechanical transmission, and an "e-power" version, where the engine only drives a generator: https://www.nissan.co.uk/range/e-power-cars.html https://www.nissan.co.uk/range/e-power-cars.html

rootusrootus 4y ago

Nope, still parallel hybrids. The closest we've gotten to a true series hybrid was the Chevy Volt, but even then, it was technically a parallel hybrid. I also take issue with anyone calling a hybrid 'effectively an electric vehicle.' That is only true for PHEVs. A regular hybrid still gets exactly 100% of it's energy from gasoline.