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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. emdash · · focus · HN ↗
        That&#x27;s pretty much how the Chevy Volt worked. It was an incredibly good system in that car and GM did their usual thing and killed it
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