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Old 01-19-2010, 12:51 AM   #20 (permalink)
NeilBlanchard
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The Volt is a serial hybrid that runs in virtually the same way that diesel/electric train locomotives do -- they are both serial hybrids.

Facts are facts.

Quote:
"A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle"
This is not a correct definition for all hybrids; it might be right for parallel hybrids, but not serial hybrids which is what we are discussing.

"A hybrid uses two or more types of motors in some combination to move the vehicle" is more accurate.

A serial hybrid uses one motor (electric or hydraulic) exclusively to move the vehicle, and the other motor (ICE usually) to power the traction motor. Batteries and/or supercapacitors, or hydraulic pressure tanks are also involved; acting as buffers/storage of the power. They are part of the system.

The only reason to use a serial hybrid in a car is to start with a plug-in EV, and give it a longer range. An EV is far more efficient than an ICE, and you can have regenerative braking, and as mentioned earlier, the ICE can be made much more efficient because it does not need to put out as much peak torque and it doesn't need a broad power band, and so it can be finely tuned to one RPM.
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Last edited by NeilBlanchard; 01-19-2010 at 01:06 AM..
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