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Old 05-24-2024, 02:20 AM   #6 (permalink)
Ecky
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One complexity with serial hybrids is, balancing input power with output power. Most mass market serial hybrids (e.g. Nissan e-Power, Honda eHEV, etc) have an electric motor providing all power driving the wheels (e.g. 150kw/200hp in the case of the Civic), while also having very small batteries (1.05kwh in the case of the Civic). These batteries can only provide maybe 20% of the motor's input power. The ICE needs to be revved up and down before the electric motor can draw power from the combined ICE + battery source, which requires very complex control, arguably more complex than a parallel hybrid.

This is a non-issue if you have a simply massive battery, able to provide 100% of the motor's peak power on its own. However, you often lose the ability to select lithium batteries optimized for capacity rather than output, reducing range or greatly increasing weight and cost.
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