- #1
CAC1001
So with most of the hybrid vehicles around, they use a conventional engine and transmission with an electric motor to take over at certain points, and the engine recharges the electric motor. But could a hybrid be made that uses say an ordianry gasoline or diesel engine that directly powers an electric generator that then drives an electric motor to move the vehicle?
This is how the diesel-electric freight trains are designed I believe, and such a vehicle would not require any transmission or batteries I'd think, no transmission because the engine only powers the generator, so it isn't linked to the wheels, and no batteries because the electric motor relies on power from the engine.
Are there no diesel-electric or gas-electric cars/trucks such as this because the technology is too complicated, or expensive, or takes up too much room right now? Or the fuel usage just wouldn't be any different (it would take the same amount of fuel to go 300 miles with a gas or diesel-electric as it would with a conventional engine)?
This is how the diesel-electric freight trains are designed I believe, and such a vehicle would not require any transmission or batteries I'd think, no transmission because the engine only powers the generator, so it isn't linked to the wheels, and no batteries because the electric motor relies on power from the engine.
Are there no diesel-electric or gas-electric cars/trucks such as this because the technology is too complicated, or expensive, or takes up too much room right now? Or the fuel usage just wouldn't be any different (it would take the same amount of fuel to go 300 miles with a gas or diesel-electric as it would with a conventional engine)?