Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
Here is a graphic Motor Trend showing how it all works together:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/e...cks/index.html
As I think through this, I can see exactly why it was done. GM very carefully worded their press release about this, again with the goal of misleading us. There is a mechanical link between the engine and wheels: engine -> generator -> planetary gearset -> wheels. It is not a direct link as the generator is stuck in there compared to how a car normally opperates. But there has to be a mechanical link because of regenerative braking. With regen, the most logical setup would be to have the wheels driving the generator. Well, if you have wheels->planetary->generator and engine->generator ... you've got a mechanical pathway from the engine to the wheels. Now, at some point they realized the potential use of this and figured out a way to implement 'partial mechanical' driving mode to boost efficiency.
From an engineering perspective, its all very clever and they should be applauded for it. But it also goes against what we've been led to believe about the Volt, particularly since they started calling it an EV. I can't believe that the engineers were doing this while their PR and media people had no clue. GM has to be more competent than that.
But you could also drive it without ever plugging it in. |
This really depends on how you define a hybrid. If you call a hybrid a vehicle that is powered, rather directly or indirectly, by two different sources (gas/electric) then the Volt is a hybrid. However, if you believe there must be a direct link between the gasoline engine (without the middleman that the generator is) and the wheels then this is an EV.
I for one do not feel like I've been lied to at all. To me, GM simply added a hybrid "safeguard" to guarantee capability and efficiency. IMO, I'd rather have this safeguard than the pride of knowing I have an EV, defined by very broad criteria I might add, while I'm stranded on the side of the road.