We actually do. The BMW i3 came with a gas generator as an optional range extender feature. It was not very popular. The majority of drivers drive less than 40 miles a day, and EVs easily encompass that distance, even if you have to run the heat.
And yes, an electric vehicle powered by a combustion motor absolutely is better in terms of efficiency down to extremely small scales. We’ve been using diesel electric vehicles for decades now because of their efficiency, torque, and long service life. They’re called ‘trains’.
We are comparing attaching a diesel engine via a gearbox to attaching it via generator and electric speed controller.
Electrically driven wheels can deliver just the right amount of power at over 95% efficiency. Direct ICE suffers because it cannot always run the engine in ideal conditions, reducing its efficiency.
We do this in locomotives but not in cars because cars need to be lightweight. Actually, nuclear is clearly the best vehicle propulsion, almost infinite range and high power. It is only used in ships due to its weight.
I cant find a source for your claim, the best I could find Was that they can be more efficient under circumstances than diesel mechanic Systems. But it seems to be at least close. Do you have a source you can link?
The reasons theyre the choice number one are different. The Main reason, it doesnt have a Transmission and is easier to repair, while there’s also less parts that can break.
Yeah, I guess a multi-billion dollar logistics operation has purchased expensive less efficient locomotives for decades because they’re physically impossible… Or your armchair understanding of physics is wrong. Wonder which one it is?
Your Argument is that it’s more efficient to charge an EV with a diesel generator than using it to combust in the car directly.
Yes, that is the premise. To put it as simply as possible, a diesel generator powering an electric drivetrain can always run in it’s peak efficiency band. A Diesel Engine directly moving a vehicle is not. If you had a perfectly flat course, and vehicle a running at constant speeds for extended periods of time at a speed that matches the peak efficiency of the diesel engine, then it would be the better option.
The fact is, hybrid systems are more efficient in real world conditons. We have hybrid cars all over the place, which are more efficient than their gas only counterparts.
The efficiency of a very good and big Diesel generator is ~50%running in its optimal state. You lose about 15%-25% from charging the battery. You already lost a minimum of 65% of energy before the car even rolled, which results in 35% of energy left.
A modern diesel car’s efficiency is >40%.
Hybrids are mainly so good because they win brake energy and such back by charging the battery, also because you charge it at the power plant, not a diesel generator. They don’t charge the battery with their motor.
Trains are hybrids because there arent Power lines everywhere. They dont use the motor to charge the battery either.
It’s more efficient than a gas powered car though, as theyre at about 25% efficiency. Not if you charge the accumulator with Gas though. Physics, I tell ya. You cant win energy by converting it more often.
Edit: When you charge the battery from the power plant, it’s efficiency is about 65%.
Or do you mean when you plug your car into the charging station?
Dont tell me you charged your car for 10 years with a diesel generator because you thought it would be more efficient.
Edit: There’s different types of Hybrids by the way. Judging by your replies, I assume you have one that only gets it power from braking energy and heat and going downhill, and doesnt have a plug.
We’ve had those for freight trains for decades now. That is also the model for many hybrid vehicles. They are well proven to be more efficient. Also, they don’t need to use the trunk, there’s a perfectly good space available where the less efficient engine used to be.
Freight trains have been using a diesel generator to directly provide energy to electric motors on each wheel for a long time now. The only difference to car hybrids is the train doesn’t use a battery in between.
We would just put diesel generators in the trunk if any of that would make sense.
No, an electric car powered by a Diesel generator is definitively not more effective than a combustion car.
The thought doesnt even make sense, since a Diesel generator is a combustion engine.
We actually do. The BMW i3 came with a gas generator as an optional range extender feature. It was not very popular. The majority of drivers drive less than 40 miles a day, and EVs easily encompass that distance, even if you have to run the heat.
And yes, an electric vehicle powered by a combustion motor absolutely is better in terms of efficiency down to extremely small scales. We’ve been using diesel electric vehicles for decades now because of their efficiency, torque, and long service life. They’re called ‘trains’.
Holy smokes, is this bizarro world?
Youre arguing against the principle of physics.
What makes a Diesel generator better then … Checks notes… a Diesel Generator?
By your logic it becomes better when it’s used to charge a battery first.
We are comparing attaching a diesel engine via a gearbox to attaching it via generator and electric speed controller.
Electrically driven wheels can deliver just the right amount of power at over 95% efficiency. Direct ICE suffers because it cannot always run the engine in ideal conditions, reducing its efficiency.
We do this in locomotives but not in cars because cars need to be lightweight. Actually, nuclear is clearly the best vehicle propulsion, almost infinite range and high power. It is only used in ships due to its weight.
I cant find a source for your claim, the best I could find Was that they can be more efficient under circumstances than diesel mechanic Systems. But it seems to be at least close. Do you have a source you can link?
The reasons theyre the choice number one are different. The Main reason, it doesnt have a Transmission and is easier to repair, while there’s also less parts that can break.
Yeah, I guess a multi-billion dollar logistics operation has purchased expensive less efficient locomotives for decades because they’re physically impossible… Or your armchair understanding of physics is wrong. Wonder which one it is?
What? Your Argument is that it’s more efficient to charge an EV with a diesel generator than using it to combust in the car directly.
And that’s just flat out wrong.
Im not biting on your fast goal post movement to trains, which makes Zero sense to support the initial Argument
Yes, that is the premise. To put it as simply as possible, a diesel generator powering an electric drivetrain can always run in it’s peak efficiency band. A Diesel Engine directly moving a vehicle is not. If you had a perfectly flat course, and vehicle a running at constant speeds for extended periods of time at a speed that matches the peak efficiency of the diesel engine, then it would be the better option.
The fact is, hybrid systems are more efficient in real world conditons. We have hybrid cars all over the place, which are more efficient than their gas only counterparts.
The efficiency of a very good and big Diesel generator is ~50%running in its optimal state. You lose about 15%-25% from charging the battery. You already lost a minimum of 65% of energy before the car even rolled, which results in 35% of energy left.
A modern diesel car’s efficiency is >40%.
Hybrids are mainly so good because they win brake energy and such back by charging the battery, also because you charge it at the power plant, not a diesel generator. They don’t charge the battery with their motor.
Trains are hybrids because there arent Power lines everywhere. They dont use the motor to charge the battery either.
It’s more efficient than a gas powered car though, as theyre at about 25% efficiency. Not if you charge the accumulator with Gas though. Physics, I tell ya. You cant win energy by converting it more often.
Edit: When you charge the battery from the power plant, it’s efficiency is about 65%.
Yes, that’s at least part of the point.
Where do you think they charge from? Answer carefully, I drove a hybrid for the last 10 years, so I know where that energy comes from.
I answered that just one sentence earlier.
Or do you mean when you plug your car into the charging station?
Dont tell me you charged your car for 10 years with a diesel generator because you thought it would be more efficient.
Edit: There’s different types of Hybrids by the way. Judging by your replies, I assume you have one that only gets it power from braking energy and heat and going downhill, and doesnt have a plug.
We’ve had those for freight trains for decades now. That is also the model for many hybrid vehicles. They are well proven to be more efficient. Also, they don’t need to use the trunk, there’s a perfectly good space available where the less efficient engine used to be.
We’re talking about charging EVs with diesel generators, which is indeed not as effective as a diesel vehicle.
Even the hybrid trains dont power the electric motor with their diesel Motor. The electric Motor uses excess heat and break energy to get powered.
Freight trains have been using a diesel generator to directly provide energy to electric motors on each wheel for a long time now. The only difference to car hybrids is the train doesn’t use a battery in between.