Quote:
Originally Posted by ksa8907
In the way the OP wants to create a "hybrid" probably so, but an engine designed for hybrid use is much better designed and tuned to work as a generator because that's what it is for.
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You are mistaken on two counts:
1) "hybrid engines" are only marginally more efficient than comparable non-hybrid high efficiency engines. Small HX and HF Hondas and Geo Metros have been pushing 50mpg since the 80s.
2) "hybrid engines" are not designed to be generators AT ALL. They are designed as part of an integrative propulsion system for maximum mpg, and this does NOT include acting as a generator. It is used as a generator in very limited ways, but that is the exception, not the rule.
Take a look at the gen1 Volt. It literally had an on-board generator... arguably designed purely to act as a generator. What was its gas-only economy? About 30mpg.
Hybrids are efficient because they use different propulsion systems for different phases of operation and SHIFT energy consumption to times when it's more efficient rather than the exact moment it's needed.
Use stored energy for torque and accel to offset the horrible efficiency of the ICE during acceleration. Consumed energy is replenished by low power charging when the ICE is much more efficient and/or by regenerative braking.
Power the vehicle via battery when stopped at a light rather than run the gas engine - replenish this energy when moving by low power charging when the ICE is more efficient.
I've recorded many of my daily commutes to work in my Prius - about 15 miles. WITHOUT FAIL my battery CONSUMES 0.5-1.0kWh MORE energy THAN IT PROVIDES - EVERY time. That's provided by additional fuel burn, i.e., that energy comes from burning extra gas; HOWEVER, the WAY the battery is used to offset the ICE inefficiency has a substantial NET benefit to overall economy.
Hybrids are just about the trade off - recover kinetic energy rather than burn it off - release energy when the ICE is horribly inefficient - recover that energy when the ICE is at peak efficiency.