Serial Hybrid Electric cars that work!

[ralph]

Have a look at a new concept in electric hybrid vehicles, Chorus™ for Cars, that really work, unlike the current crop of dual hybrids that are heavy, very complex and hugely expensive.

Serial Hybrids are very simple. They use a single-speed engine to power an alternator used to supply electricity to the electric motor directly or via the battery. With a Chorus drive, these systems can use a small radiator (just for the highly efficient single-speed engine) and avoid the need for a transmission.

The heart of the system is the Chorus Motor, another version being WheelTug® which is being developed to allow aircraft to drive themselves round airports with their main engines turned off (by the end of 2009). One incredibly compact powerful motor.

(and yes, I am a shareholder).

 

[ralph]

I should have said SERIES hybrids not serial hybrids.

 

[oldcro]

Looks very interesting Ralph.

 

[Bolide]

I still see a car with two engines (three, actually), just like a Prius

This may move the technology on but in my opinion the advances come when cars are simpler, not when they're more complex, and when they're more efficient, not less

The efficiency of the car you describe depends on the efficiency of an internal combustion engine (not good), an alternator (fairly good), a charging and battery system (OK) and an electric motor (pretty good). Bear in mind that this is all built to the lowest cost possible and what do you get?

IMHO it makes more sense to have simpler, cheaper cars with fuel delivered efficiently from a national distribution grid - either electric, diesel, petrol or gas - than to have lots of cars crammed full of hardware

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[ralph]

Simplicity

Grid, would be a neat solution, but a suitable 'battery' doesn't exist. Also remember that when we see people drinking the exhaust emissions, we don't see them bathing in those emissions from the grid!

The efficiency of an ICE improves considerably if run at it's constant peak efficiency load. Try looking at ones MPG on a run.

Granted it isn't the solution you seek. That will take a bit longer. Try THIS