(-Phil-) via EV wrote:
The difference is in the Chevy Volt, just like the Prius and other similar hybrids, they use a power-split device to directly connect the ICE to the wheels. Obviously this was chosen because unlike the series hybrid, there are less conversion stages before the power meets the road. However, in the case of Obrist's technology, the benefits of only having the generator(s) connected means they can do clever tricks to optimize the efficiency that allows it to always run at the most optimal speed.
How is it different than the Prius-type power split device? It can drive the vehicle on pure electric, or pure ICE, or both in any combination.
When the Prius came out, it was 99% ICE -- it had a range of 5 miles as an EV, and 500 miles as an ICE. This was mostly due to the small battery (about 1 KWH).
My first thought was that over time, hybrids would increase battery capacity, and decrease ICE capacity. But that hasn't happened. 20 years later, the best EV-like hybrids only have a 20-40 mile EV range, and still a 400-500 mile ICE range. So they are still 90% ICEs.
It would seem that the best way to "wean" the general public away from ICEs and fossil fuels would be to make hybrids that can do 90% of their driving as EVs, and only use their ICE on rare occasions (like a long trip once a month).
But no one seems to even consider such an approach. Lee -- All children are born engineers. Watch them at play. They're not just playing; they're experimenting, building and learning. That's engineering! Then we get them in school and squash it out of them. (Geoffrey Orsak, Southern Methodist University dean of engineering) -- Lee Hart, 814 8th Ave N, Sartell MN 56377, www.sunrise-ev.com -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus _______________________________________________ Address messages to [email protected] No other addresses in TO and CC fields UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/ LIST INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org
