That’s exactly what makes it inefficient - you have losses from both the generator and the motor. Generator + motor mode was the least efficient mode in the Bolt (which saved weight by not having a gearbox, so could only mechanically connect the gas engine at high speeds)
Honda hybrids mostly work this way except at very high speeds, where the motor is used directly. It simplifies the design by removing a traditional transmission, but they’re the least efficient hybrids on the road. Honestly not worth it IMO.
They do make sense however if you’re using them to do short commutes 99% of the time and only use the gas engine in the rare occasions where you go for a longer road trip.
The difference that I can see is that unlike traditional hybrid cars the gas engine is not connected to the drivetrain and only charges the battery.
The article suggests that it is less efficient than a traditional hybrid system. I’d like to know by how much and why.
That’s exactly what makes it inefficient - you have losses from both the generator and the motor. Generator + motor mode was the least efficient mode in the Bolt (which saved weight by not having a gearbox, so could only mechanically connect the gas engine at high speeds)
Honda hybrids mostly work this way except at very high speeds, where the motor is used directly. It simplifies the design by removing a traditional transmission, but they’re the least efficient hybrids on the road. Honestly not worth it IMO.
They do make sense however if you’re using them to do short commutes 99% of the time and only use the gas engine in the rare occasions where you go for a longer road trip.