Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#71

Post by kube-system » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:07 PM UTC

bee_rider wrote: post #30

chem83 wrote: post #18

I always thought the problem with hybrids was the complexity of the drive train, but this video is challenging that notion. It argues that the hybrid pack (minus the battery, perhaps?) is more compact and simpler than a manual gearbox, even. It consists of two electric motors and a planetary gear set, which is seemingly simpler than clutch packs, gear sets and belts of regular transmissions, including CVTs. Time code…

On a completely tangential note, has anyone ever tried a hybrid that was like a diesel-electric train? The engine just charges the battery. IIRC it can be much simpler, no need for gearing at all, the engine just runs at a constant speed and the battery handles delivering variable amounts of power.

The Chevrolet Volt and Honda’s recent hybrids work this way. They are mechanically even more simple than Toyota’s drivetrain.

The engine doesn’t run at a constant speed though, it responds to the amount of electrical power needed.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#72

Post by jonathanlydall » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:08 PM UTC

I recently got a BYD Sealion 5 PHEV and still driving in the engine so haven't been plugging it in yet.

After 430km my fuel usage is exactly as per the start of this video at 6.9L/100km.

Being in South Africa, the affordability of this vehicle compared to an EV makes this the most sensible purchase for me at this point of time. Also, it seems that BYD's price might be especially good right now due it trying to gain market share.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#73

Post by kube-system » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:12 PM UTC

1970-01-01 wrote: post #12

The title doesn't match the point of the video. What he is trying to show is the world would be a better place if we could establish that hybrids come in two flavors: Toyota and non-Toyota. There's really no better hybrid design. Unfortunately that means they aren't scrapped after decades, and Mongolia has become a dumping ground for them.[1] So it still is the best hybrid drivetrain in the world, but much like plast…

Toyota’s system is good but I personally prefer series hybrids which have power delivery more like an EV.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#74

Post by sfpotter » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:13 PM UTC

There's a reason so many cab companies have fleets of Priuses.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#75

Post by bjornorn » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:14 PM UTC

wat10000 wrote: post #59

bluGill wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Called a series hybrid, and it has been done. However gears are more efficient than a generator -> motor, and charging a battery adds even more losses. Thus if the engine is running anyway you are better off just mechanically connecting it to the wheels. Trains don't do the above in large parts because the gears needed either wouldn't fit in the allowed space. (we may not be able to make them large enough either - th…

I wonder if fuel efficiency just doesn't matter enough for trains, since they're already so efficient at turning motive energy into motion. Other costs may dominate.

At that scale I think ICE engines preferably run at the same RPM continuously, and a gearbox and a clutch would be massive and require a lot of maintenance. The electric motor gives you the huge amount of torque you need to get a train going from stand-still. Not sure what actually tips the scale though.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#76

Post by graemep » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:14 PM UTC

tedggh wrote: post #50

I have all three ICE, EV and hybrid at home. I was hesitant at first when getting the EV because we already had the hybrid, but we needed a second SUV to carry kids. After two years with the EV it became evident to me the hybrid doesn’t make sense. It has some of the gas savings of an EV but you still deal with the inconvenience of maintaining a ICE. My EV has received zero maintenance other than cleaning the cameras…

How many kids do you have that you need two SUVs to carry them all? its not common.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#77

Post by Nemi » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:15 PM UTC

Molitor5901 wrote: post #24

My experience with hybrids have been.... mostly positive, good mileage, Toyota's drive very well, but.. I would not buy one for one pedantic, silly reason: I hate the government mandated banshee howling sound. Many ICE vehicles are just as quiet as an EV without the fake noise, and while I am not discounting that quiet vehicles can pose a hazard to pedestrians, the howling is just.. utterly obnoxious.

I read a comment once that referred to this as the "sad spaceship" sound and I can't stop thinking about it. So on point. I hate it.

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#78

Post by CalRobert » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:15 PM UTC

steveBK123 wrote: post #64

gregolo wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ford Kuga (EU) / Escape (US) is built from those patents. It’s basically a copy of Toyota’s hybrid system. And it’s actually quite great, until it catches on fire.

> until it catches on fire minor details

but does it catch fire and halt?

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#79

Post by kube-system » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:18 PM UTC

globular-toast wrote: post #65

I understood after I watched the brilliant Weber Auto video on it, published 5 years ago[0]. I liked it so much I "gently" encouraged my partner to get a Yaris hybrid, which gets about 69mpg average. It's not unusual to see 80+ on individual trips. She was a little sceptical about having an auto at first, because us Europeans still think it's 1980 and that manuals are superior, but she came around after a few minutes…

The Sienna is considerably larger than a Golf. It seats 7 or 8 depending on configuration.

Also remember we use different 20% smaller gallons than you do in Europe. 34 miles per US gallon is about 41 miles per imperial gallon.

https://www.carsized.com/en-us/cars/compare/volkswagen-golf-...

In the same US tests with US spec vehicles, the Sienna actually achieves considerably better fuel economy. Quite impressive given the size difference:

https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=49303&id=5...

Re: Nobody understands the point of hybrid cars [video]

#80

Post by chainingsolid » Wed, May 20, 2026, 2:18 PM UTC

wat10000 wrote: post #59

bluGill wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Called a series hybrid, and it has been done. However gears are more efficient than a generator -> motor, and charging a battery adds even more losses. Thus if the engine is running anyway you are better off just mechanically connecting it to the wheels. Trains don't do the above in large parts because the gears needed either wouldn't fit in the allowed space. (we may not be able to make them large enough either - th…

I wonder if fuel efficiency just doesn't matter enough for trains, since they're already so efficient at turning motive energy into motion. Other costs may dominate.

This is correct or close too. The small steel on steel contact surface has so much less friction, that some conversion losses are fine in exchange for massive torque, and less moving parts (The diesel electrics replaced steam locomotives over maintenance cost/operation not pulling power).