Range extender versus standard gas engine - what can be omitted?

[anthonypape]

Exactly. Bio fuels have been completely discredited as a solution mainly because of land use. We’d decimate the planet if we went that way. There are certain crops such as camelina that are more interesting as they can grow on scrap land and might not displace food crops or lead to deforestation, but it’s early days for that and research funding is likely to get cut.

Methanol is the future. Its made from carbon capture technology. Any car today can ruN on it. Its carBon. Who said anything about bio fuels or ethanol?

 

[anthonypape]

Methanol is the future. Its made from carbon capture technology. Any car today can ruN on it. Its carBon. Who said anything about bio fuels or ethanol?

Its carbon negative

 

[smboogie]

The real issue with bio fuels is infrastructure. There are many that can't travel through current petroleum pipelines, making distribution too much of a challenge to offset widespread gains at this time.

 

[Mousehunter]

What would an vehicle engine have that a generator would not... Well I am not an engineer, but here goes a few thoughts.

Generators need to run at a constant speed to produce a constant current (inverters can run at variable speed, but...). Even inverters are designed to run at a constant speed for maximum output. It is not really necessary to focus on a wide torque and horse power curve. Seems to me that things like variable timing, possibly turbo chargers, etc... that are designed to give a better power curve or bursts of power are not really necessary. Probably can get rid of the stop start features for stop signs. But honestly - most of the engine systems will still be required.

Electric motors have a lot of torque - so they in theory could have a simpler transmission. With 1000 ft/lbs of torque, do you really need crawling gears? Google says most EV's have single speed transmissions Likewise, I kind of bet EV's don't need clutches, especially if they have a single speed transition.

 

[colinnwn]

AC generators run at one speed for constant frequency not current. Inverter generators are DC based and the inverter handles frequency control for AC output. I'm actually not sure what's more common in Hybrid cars but I would assume DC generators charge the battery by DC directly after step up transformers to get the right DC charge voltage.

I agree variable valve timing and lift and other technologies that broaden the power band are unnecessary for a generator. It may make sense to program it to run at two speeds (most efficient and most power output) depending on the battery level and power draw rate.

Turbos can be valuable for thermal efficiency and reducing engine size, but Scout has already said the generator will be NA.

Start stop functionality of the generator, or generator combi traction unit is inherent in hybrid vehicles.

It's really unusual for series hybrid or BEV vehicles to have a transmission. They may have a single speed gearbox. But state of the art is to skip that and use tuned stator design and phased power application to electrically control the power output of the motor versus efficiency at different speeds. You only need a clutch if you have a 2 speed transmission or a controllable differential.

Of course a vehicle that has one motor on an axle, versus on each wheel also must have an open, limited slip, or controllable differential.