Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
What is the all electric range of a first generation Insight?
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3.7 km on my 2000 started from stop and slight up hill , when I tested it back in 2006.
It just isn't as efficient as others due to ICE air pumping losses.
I personally never bought the interest others have in a EV mode on a non-Plug HEV... but that's just me... and a different topic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic
Hydraulic accumulators can reach 99% efficiency, while you loose 15% just charging the battery on a Nissan Leaf. Just filling the "tank".
Best wheel to wheel efficiency of regeneration.
Hydraulic-close to 80% (in 2006).
Electric- close to 33% (also in 2006).
Remembering wheel to wheel, the hydraulic option allows for P&G while maintaining constant speed while gas electric hybrids can not exploit the highest levels of efficiency of an IC engine without giving away that same efficiency in conversion losses.
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While I agree that both electric and hydraulic options would loose the cycle efficiency when used as a constant vehicle speed variation of P&G ... but , the best wheel to wheel Electric is much better than 33%... ie the gap is smaller than that 33% vs 80%.
The IMA motor and inverter have a combine top energy efficiency of 92%.
(Added: up to 90% as low as 1,000 RPMs , nearly ICE idle speed )
I've tested my A123 Pouch cells at over 94% cycle energy efficient.
That would be a combine electric cycle of about ~79% mechanical back out of what you put in.
The IMA motor is not the best efficiency motor ... it tops out at 95% ... while other motor designs are up to 98% efficient ... and A123 cells might not be the very best cycle efficient battery as well ... so the upper end max using best technology would be higher than even the ~79%.
Of course some given specific HEV design could be lower ... maybe down to 1% cycle or something ... but that isn't a function of the HEV platform itself , as much as it is that specific HEV design , or application context... just like some specific hydraulic design could be lower than 80% cycle .. would also not be a function of the Hydraulic platform itself as much as that one specific design application.
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Still ... I encourage all progress ... let the best tech win ... whatever that ends up being ... not just in raw capabilities ... but of course $ also matters... right now , HEV is on top ... if that changes because something else got better performance per $ ... great ... I look forward to seeing it commercialized more than HEVs have been.