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Nissan's third generation e-POWER powertrain

170 points · 462 comments · mroche

  1. gcanyon · · focus · HN ↗
    One thing that always puzzled me was how the gas engines in hybrids were so efficient. Technology Connections has a great video explainer: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=KnUFH5GX_fI" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.youtube.com&#x2F;watch?v=KnUFH5GX_fI

    tl;dw: constant RPM and a weird stroke geometry where the power stroke is longer than the other strokes to extract more energy from the expanding gasses.

    1. jostmey · · focus · HN ↗
      I&#x27;m surprised there isn&#x27;t more effort to create hybrids in reverse--an electric car with optional gas generator. The gas generator could run at constant speed, never changing RMP, while the battery handles constant changes in acceleration. The idea is not mine. I&#x27;ve heard about it in China
      1. kevin_nisbet · · focus · HN ↗
        Not for cars, but Edison Motors in Canada seems to be going this route right now for their heavy duty trucks and heavy-duty pickup truck conversions.

        Disclosure: I have a small investment in them.

        1. ehnto · · focus · HN ↗
          I really love what Edison are doing, I have no skin in the game I just think it&#x27;s a great business ethos.

          Feom a fictional perspective I also dig the rugged blend of electric industrial equipment and utilitarian design. Like a mad-max solar punk, rather than a utopian one.

          I picture them pulling up to a makeshift solar outpost en-route, in the middle of the wasteland desert, covered in red dust, the thick sheet metal scarred from raiders...

          1. kevin_nisbet · · focus · HN ↗
            I really like Edison&#x27;s ethos as well, although I do worry they make some of the classic startup mistakes of getting a bit distracted on things that aren&#x27;t important.
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