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Hybrid Vehicles Why Tesla wanna go Hybrid when is already 100% electric?
22 messages, Last post on Mar 14, 2009 at 8:55 AM
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To increase range
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Replying to: gwmort (May 28, 2008 7:17 am)
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Replying to: coldcranker (Dec 29, 2008 9:30 am) Everyone seems to be focussed solely on the current low cost of each Kilowatt hour from the PLUG....Subject to change with NO notice. Build a smallish CNG fueled SuperChargered engine, Miller Cycle engine, that ALWAYS operates at its most optimal speed, at or near WOT(minimized pumping losses), and I have no doubt that one could OUTPERFORM the commercial grid's power generation, distribution losses/costs and adverse environmental effects.
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Replying to: wwest (Dec 29, 2008 6:28 pm) Back on topic, however, it would be a good idea for Tesla to be looking at batteryfree series hybrids so that they can leverage their electronic powertrain technology towards other applications that don't include long strings of Li-ion just in case they get locked out of the large format battery Li-ion business upstream. I am sure there are motorcycle engine manufacturers around with the knowhow to develop 100Hp for a highspeed genset application using a lot less parts than currently available 4 cyl automobile engines employ. Modern automobile engines still carry a lot of baggage to cope with the clutch coupled multi-ratio transmission that, save for the Prius, is used exclusively today.
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Replying to: toyolla2 (Dec 30, 2008 11:17 am) NOT...!! The "HOG" cycles use engine technology from the 1930's and that's the way the owners like/want it. On the other end of this spectrum is 'cycle engines that run at 12-18,000 RPM. So it's the aircraft engine manufacturing company's that are more likely to have the expertise for this, CONSTANT RPM, HIGH output power at relatively LOW RPM, for hour upon hour and decent FE to boot. What is needed for road-going engines, at the "BASE", really amounts to TWO engines, a small displacement but HIGHLY efficient ICE for simply cruising, and a HUGE ICE (battery in the current crop of 0-60 oriented hybrids) to yield the acceleration levels that US owners seem to value so highly. The obvious answer to that conundrum is a hybrid, total battery road power but with a small high efficient, probably constant speed, fossil fuel (CNG) engine/generator with the ability to supply just enough electricity to allow the electric drive motor(s) to move the vehicle along at reasonable road speeds and simultaneously recharge the battery in order to keep a RESERVE charge available for use as a SuperCharger. Looks to me like Tesla may be on to something.
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Replying to: wwest (Jan 02, 2009 9:04 am) One thing people often forget is that when you charge a battery, you lose about half the energy to heat, analagous to spilling juice on the floor sloppily. |
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Replying to: wwest (Jan 02, 2009 9:04 am) the 2009 Honda CRF450R motorcycle sports a single cylinder 449cc capable of 56Hp  8500rpm. The whole bike weighs 200+ lbs. The engine by itself sans gearbox/clutch probably weighs around 40lbs. This happens to be exactly twice as powerful as the Prius battery, which Gagrice reckons to weigh in at about 90lbs. The underlying point is to say that for mobile applications These last two points are, of course, covered by Tesla. As I see it the aim of Tesla is to produce that 4 second to 60 rush without the unreliabilty and NVH of V12 engines. But would a pair of these motorcycle engines accomplish this task ? I am not saying that, but just consider....... The pre- production EV1 acheived 60mph in 8 seconds with just 114Hp and 1175lbs of lead acid battery. If the weight delta by dispensing with these was factored in, an overall saving of 1000lbs might result. This could yield a figure of six seconds to 60. As I recall, the EV1 didn't reach full power until 42mph. The superior ampacity of Tesla's inverter could lower that point to 20mph and further improve on this figure. Obviously I am not interested in pure electric cars, only the technology they present in moving us away from the use of large mechanical engineering systems of current vehicles. Need I say more ? T2
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Replying to: toyolla2 (Feb 02, 2009 4:25 am) 8500RPM.... The best way to make us of that "power" is to provide a "power" accumulator so that when the engine runs it runs ONLY at the most optimum RPM. In the Tesla that accumulator is called a "battery".
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