Actually the second generation Volt can operate several different modes: Pure electric, Series-hybrid, and Parallel-hybrid.
In all modes one or both electric motors can be driving the wheels. When the gas engine is running it can either be connected to the wheels through the planetary gearbox(in which case one or both e-motors can also provide propulsion), or connect to one of the motors operating as a generator, or connect to both the generator and the wheels. This paper lists 5 different operating modes: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1778&context=etdr (https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1778&context=etdr) The computer decides which mode to operate in at any given point in time and can switch modes seemlesly. The second generation Volts switched to Atkinson cycle which reduces power density but improves efficiency. Second Gen volts operating in range extending (gasoline) mode get 42+ MPG indefinitely (as long as you have gas available), and do it using regular gas unlike the 1st gen models that required premium. FWIW The driver has no control over the gas engine's RPMs, you can't even directly control if it's running or not. You can force it to use the gas engine by putting it into battery saver mode, but even then the computer will turn the engine off if it doesn't need the power. I.e. when stopped in traffic or if going down a long hill.. My PGP public key: https://vanderwal.us/evdl_pgp.key (https://vanderwal.us/evdl_pgp.key) April 3, 2021 11:20 AM, "(-Phil-)" <[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?to=%22(-Phil-)%22%20<[email protected]>)> wrote: The difference is in the Chevy Volt, just like the Prius and other similar hybrids, they use a power-split device to directly connect the ICE to the wheels. Obviously this was chosen because unlike the series hybrid, there are less conversion stages before the power meets the road. However, in the case of Obrist's technology, the benefits of only having the generator(s) connected means they can do clever tricks to optimize the efficiency that allows it to always run at the most optimal speed. On Sat, Apr 3, 2021 at 10:44 AM Peter VanDerWal via EV <[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])> wrote: Chevy used to sell a very similar vehicle. I normally have one parked in the driveway, but my wife drove it to work today. My PGP public key: https://vanderwal.us/evdl_pgp.key (https://vanderwal.us/evdl_pgp.key) April 2, 2021 11:25 AM, "(-Phil-) via EV" <[email protected] (mailto:[email protected])> wrote: > I worked with this company on an amazing series-hybrid system that uses a > more conventional engine, but it's performance is amazing: > https://www.obrist.at/powertrain (https://www.obrist.at/powertrain) > https://youtu.be/cuxR5qy4yu4 (https://youtu.be/cuxR5qy4yu4) > > Their demonstrator is using a Tesla Model 3. Probably the first Tesla to > ever have a gas tank! I have to admit, when I first heard what they were > trying to do, I was pretty pessimistic, but their system is a great > stop-gap and will make it possible to get more EVs out there for lower > cost, sooner. Even if we wanted to make the global fleet all-electric, > there just isn't enough materials to make all the batteries for > full-electric cars. But if each one uses only a small pack which covers > > 75% of the driving, it means you can make a LOT more cars, and you also > don't have the chicken-and-egg DCFC charging network issue. > > On Fri, Apr 2, 2021 at 11:01 AM Robert Bruninga via EV <[email protected] > (mailto:[email protected])> > wrote: > >> I guess I had seen this before, but I dont see why it cannot be really >> built efficientloy and haved a great market in the EV range extending >> application: >> >> Could free-piston range extenders broaden the electric-truck horizon? >> (greencarreports.com (http://greencarreports.com)) >> < >> https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1131725_could-free-piston-range-extenders-broaden-the-electric- >> >> (https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1131725_could-free-piston-range-extenders-broaden-the-electric-) >> ruck-horizon >> >> a free piston flying back and forth with a magnet inside coils sure makes >> for a one-moving-part gasoline generator (well plus valves)... And >> could be made very modular with the only interfaces a gas-fill line, the >> electric connections and an exhaust port. Drop it in and go. >> >> Bob >> -------------- next part -------------- >> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >> URL: < >> http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20210402/8240573f/attachment.html >> >> (http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20210402/8240573f/attachment.html) >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Address messages to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) >> No other addresses in TO and CC fields >> UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub >> (http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub) >> ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive (http://www.evdl.org/archive) >> LIST INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org >> (http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org) > > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: > <http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20210402/13e2eee1/attachment.html > > (http://lists.evdl.org/private.cgi/ev-evdl.org/attachments/20210402/13e2eee1/attachment.html)> > _______________________________________________ > Address messages to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) > No other addresses in TO and CC fields > UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub > (http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub) > ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive (http://www.evdl.org/archive) > LIST INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org > (http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org) _______________________________________________ Address messages to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) No other addresses in TO and CC fields UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub (http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub) ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/ (http://www.evdl.org/archive/) LIST INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org (http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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