EV owners of today and tomorrow

[Grumpycat]

The RamCharger is supposed to be a series or serial hybrid, an idea I like.
And could be tempted to buy.

You can like it but it will consume much more fuel in ICE mode than it would if there was a mechanical path from ICE to wheels.

What is the point of making the effort if one is to consume more fuel as a result? For a diesel-electric locomotive the point is a mechanical transmission of the size needed and the multitude of ratios dwarfs the inefficiency.

 

[LouNY]

You can like it but it will consume much more fuel in ICE mode than it would if there was a mechanical path from ICE to wheels.

What is the point of making the effort if one is to consume more fuel as a result? For a diesel-electric locomotive the point is a mechanical transmission of the size needed and the multitude of ratios dwarfs the inefficiency.

You spouted that off more then once, I do believe you are completely in error.

 

[Grumpycat]

You spouted that off more then once, I do believe you are completely in error.

Your evidence please?

ICE-generator-battery-motor-wheels is much simpler than ICE to wheels and generator. So why do all current production hybrid automobiles use the parallel model?

If a series hybrid was practical then why do we not see Teslas towing genset trailers as a series hybrid conversion?

 

[shooterdon]

Anytime you add a device between where the power comes from and where it is delivered there will be a loss. If may not be much, but it is not zero.

If an ICE can run at its most efficient operating load to power a generator that charges a battery, it may do better than using it to deliver power directly to the drive train. It must do better than the losses incurred with the generator and battery system.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

This does a good job of showing how GM sold out the US car industry to China and established Tesla as the the de facto leader in automotive today. The funny thing Tesla is moving to only be 10% car company as the old guys fade away because they cannot be competitive against the Chinese.

 

[WinterDeere]

Anytime you add a device between where the power comes from and where it is delivered there will be a loss. If may not be much, but it is not zero.

If an ICE can run at its most efficient operating load to power a generator that charges a battery, it may do better than using it to deliver power directly to the drive train. It must do better than the losses incurred with the generator and battery system.

Excellent post, Don. In addition to this, I suspect an ICE configured and tuned to run a narrow range of RPM for the sole purpose of charging batteries, can probably run at a much higher average efficiency, than one which needs to spool a wide range of RPM's thru the gears during acceleration.

The modern high gear count transmissions are aimed at solving this problem, keeping the engine operating closer to peak power or peak efficiency, not always the same point, and likely a big part of the difference in running "Eco mode" versus "Sport mode" on your automatic transmission. But a single-speed tuning for the purpose of charging batteries, can be really optimized very nicely for peak efficiency.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

This is in reference to hybrid vehicles.

 

[LouNY]

Your evidence please?

ICE-generator-battery-motor-wheels is much simpler than ICE to wheels and generator. So why do all current production hybrid automobiles use the parallel model?

If a series hybrid was practical then why do we not see Teslas towing genset trailers as a series hybrid conversion?

Where is yours?? All I've heard from you are claims and statements, no facts because they are not out there at this time.
An ICE running at optimized rpm when needed or even two different optimized rpm such as a cruise and high power. Using the cruise to just maintain a battery or even shutting off when the battery is charged and the vehicle is cruising butt kicking back in as the battery is depleted or pulling a steep grade which requires much more hp (energy) then cruising.

 

[BleedingOrange]

 

[Grumpycat]

Anytime you add a device between where the power comes from and where it is delivered there will be a loss. If may not be much, but it is not zero.

If an ICE can run at its most efficient operating load to power a generator that charges a battery, it may do better than using it to deliver power directly to the drive train. It must do better than the losses incurred with the generator and battery system.

It might. But those who have tried have all failed on automobile sized systems.

Locomotives, earth movers, ships, are another story.