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Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

wsj.com

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Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#21

Post by monegator »

SideburnsOfDoom wrote: post #4
guiriduro wrote: post #3

"New"? Like hybrids haven't been around forever?

This is EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) where the fossil fuel engine is used solely to charge the battery, as opposed to a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) where it can also drive the wheels. Either way, the cost is that the vehicle has the complexity of both systems. The benefit is variable, YMMV (Your milage may vary). There must be cases where it's a good idea. Especially at present, while the energy…

renault already put out some of these cars a few years ago, with this system you could get up to 1000km with a full gas tank! Just what my much cheaper diesel always could do!

Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#22

Post by SideburnsOfDoom »

Jyaif wrote: post #10
stinos wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3rd sentence: It is a fully electric car with the security blanket of a gas-powered generator to charge the battery . So not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly drives the wheels.

You are describing what the Volt was doing back in 2011

2 things can be true: the 2011 Volt would be classified as an EREV, and "your average hybrid" would not.

No, this design is not totally new. Despite the article implying this.

Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#23

Post by pornel »

Stellantis is still producing 400V EVs with below-average efficiency. Their cars display estimated range based on their marketing number rather than real battery condition and driving history, so the range drops by 1.6 miles for every mile driven.

A lot of range anxiety would go away if their EV tech wasn't crap.

Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#24

Post by vincnetas »

stinos wrote: post #5
guiriduro wrote: post #3

"New"? Like hybrids haven't been around forever?

3rd sentence: It is a fully electric car with the security blanket of a gas-powered generator to charge the battery . So not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly drives the wheels.

somehow it makes you think that running generator to charge battery to drive the wheels is somehow better than just driving wheels directly :)

"not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly..."

Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#25

Post by ectoloph »

The REX issue is an interesting one.

The BMW i3 used what was basically a scooter engine. The Ampera/Volt used what was essentially an Opel Corsa engine (from memory).

Toyota's approach of using a small battery and modified atkinson cycle engine seems to have paid off. Taxi drivers love them and fuel economy is pretty consistent. But the engine is a core part of the process. So it isn't dead weight a lot of the time.

The real question is whether an 'Extended Range EV' is using a motor intended to work efficiently as just a generator or whether it's another parts bin special.

Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#27

Post by detourdog »

derideor wrote: post #12
butterknife wrote: post #9

BMW i3 REx with range extending petrol engine was released in 2014.

I drove an i3 rex, first generation. The gas motorcycle engine loved breaking down, due to disuse. Such an unreliable offence of crap. According to the dealership mechanic, the engine was packaged in a way that made the fluids collect in places they shouldn't.

I have driven the entire east coast on mine. I have put 60k miles in mine. All trouble free. Best car I have ever owned. If I have time on a trip I charge up and if I don’t I just use gas. That mechanic was pulling your leg.

Re: Carmakers Have a New Idea to Boost EV Range: Add a Gas Engine

#28

Post by SideburnsOfDoom »

vincnetas wrote: post #24
stinos wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

3rd sentence: It is a fully electric car with the security blanket of a gas-powered generator to charge the battery . So not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly drives the wheels.

somehow it makes you think that running generator to charge battery to drive the wheels is somehow better than just driving wheels directly :) "not your average hybrid whos gas-powered motor directly..."

> running generator to charge battery to drive the wheels is somehow better than just driving wheels directly

In some ways it is, yes. The engine design is not the same, it doesn't need gearbox, variable power output etc to charge battery. In some ways it can be more efficient.

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