alt Hacker NewsThe Chevrolet Volt and Honda’s recent hybrids work this way. They are mechanically even more simple than Toyota’s drivetrain.
The engine doesn’t run at a constant speed though, it responds to the amount of electrical power needed.
The Chevrolet Volt and Honda’s recent hybrids work this way. They are mechanically even more simple than Toyota’s drivetrain.
The engine doesn’t run at a constant speed though, it responds to the amount of electrical power needed.
And the BMW i3. It had a 2-stroke engine that allowed you to charge the battery.
However, in the USA, in order to get EV status, it was nerfed where it was only allowed to use its engine to charge the battery once you went below a 30% state of charge, and next to that, the fuel capacity was electronically limited.
A neighbor of mine had one, and the engine couldn't keep up with charging the battery to move the car on the freeway + running the AC, because it wasn't powerful enough.
In the EU version, this wasn't a problem, because you could set up the motor to run to maintain a charge (instead of only allowing it to run below 30%).
Edit: 30% state of charge, not 10%.