Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
Not if your system was designed sensibly: most of the power generated should go straight to the drive motor, with only the excess over the amount needed to move the car going to the batteries and incurring charge/discharge losses.
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ICE output Mechanical power 100%
If 90% average operating efficiency Generator = 90% as electrical power
If 90% average operating efficiency control electronics = 81% as electrical power
If 90% average operating efficiency Motor = ~73% Mechanical power
~27% loss of mechanical energy / power.
Even if you managed to get the ICE on the generator operating at an average of 50% efficiency ( not going to happen ) ... the vehicle's energy efficiency is not operating any better than if a straight ICE-HEV were to run at 23% average operating efficiency ... it is very possible for the ICE-HEV to get better than 23% average operating efficiency , but getting the ICE generator better than 50% , is extremely difficult.
And that is without an additional two more steps of losses if you buffered into the battery.
It can be a convenience ... and offer peace of mind ... but energy efficient it is not.