Hardly. It is generally accepted that the serial hybrid drivetrain (which is what the Volt will use) is, ceteris paribus, vastly inferior to the parallel drivetrain (in which engine, motor, or both may power the wheels at any given time). I don't feel like citing references... suffice it to say that I've helped build hybrids in college; by the time I joined the team, the serial concept had been dropped like a bad habit.
No, A PHEV using serial hybrid technology is vastly SUPERIOR to parallel hybrid PHEV technology.
In a serial setup, the motor can be smaller since it is always able to run at the most efficient RPM level because it doesn't have to cope with the demands of changing levels of resistance from a transmission. The engine simply acts as a generator (only when needed) with its output "buffered" by the batteries.
Also, with serial technology you have a simpler drive train because it is connected to a single mechanical drive device (electric motor) versus both electric and mechanical motors.
Of course, there are losses when energy is converted from chemical to mechanical to electrical to chemical to mechanical, but these losses exist in a parallel hybrid as well.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brad @ May 7th 2007 6:56PM
"Ingenious?"
Hardly. It is generally accepted that the serial hybrid drivetrain (which is what the Volt will use) is, ceteris paribus, vastly inferior to the parallel drivetrain (in which engine, motor, or both may power the wheels at any given time). I don't feel like citing references... suffice it to say that I've helped build hybrids in college; by the time I joined the team, the serial concept had been dropped like a bad habit.
Freetolio @ May 10th 2007 11:31AM
No,
A PHEV using serial hybrid technology is vastly SUPERIOR to parallel hybrid PHEV technology.
In a serial setup, the motor can be smaller since it is always able to run at the most efficient RPM level because it doesn't have to cope with the demands of changing levels of resistance from a transmission. The engine simply acts as a generator (only when needed) with its output "buffered" by the batteries.
Also, with serial technology you have a simpler drive train because it is connected to a single mechanical drive device (electric motor) versus both electric and mechanical motors.
Of course, there are losses when energy is converted from chemical to mechanical to electrical to chemical to mechanical, but these losses exist in a parallel hybrid as well.