








Source: Auto News

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RE: It is not electric
By SublimeSimplicity on 5/7/2013 1:12:39 PM , Rating: 2
Think about the physics here. The engine is running creating mechanical energy. Instead of putting it directly to use as mechanical energy, the car is going to convert it to electricity (10-15% loss) and then back to mechanical energy (another 10-15% loss).

RE: It is not electric
By Solandri on 5/7/2013 2:41:54 PM , Rating: 2
Whether that's good or bad really depends on what the car is doing. Remember, the ~30% engine efficiency is only true for a specific RPM and specific load. If the RPM or gearing or incline/decline deviates from the optimal, the engine efficiency will be worse.

In that case, the conversion losses from an engine operating 100% of the time at its most efficient RPM and loading to charge a battery, may be smaller than the reduced efficiency of an engine spending most of its time at non-optimal RPM, gearing, and loading.

RE: It is not electric
By SublimeSimplicity on 5/7/2013 4:09:54 PM , Rating: 2
The planetary gearing allows the engine to stay at its optimal RPM, regardless of vehicle speed. However it doesn't do that to generate electricity or I should say that's not its primary goal. As much of the engine power as possible must be sent to the wheels to achieve a high mpg, the leftover is sent to the generator.

The way they need to balance electric load on the generator, torque to the motor to keep the engine in its highest efficiency is an insane engineering feat. I'm surprised it ever made it past the whiteboard.

