What is the Working Principle of a Range-Extended Hybrid?

[MacAshlyn]

Range-extended hybrid works as follows: 1. The car is driven by an electric motor, also known as a series plug-in hybrid system. The internal combustion engine's role is to drive the generator to produce electricity, which powers the battery, motor, and other equipment in the car. 2. A range-extended electric vehicle is developed on the basis of a pure electric vehicle, with an additional range extender installed. 3. The purpose of installing a range extender is to increase the driving range of the pure electric vehicle and avoid frequent charging. 4. The engine speed of a range-extended hybrid does not need to match road conditions, ensuring that the engine can always operate within the most thermally efficient range, thus maintaining high fuel economy. However, compared to ordinary plug-in hybrid vehicles, range-extended hybrids consume more energy at high speeds, resulting in slightly poorer fuel economy performance.

[StevenLynn]

The extended-range hybrid electric vehicle is really convenient to drive, and I often use it for commuting in the city. Its core principle is to use an electric motor to directly drive the wheels, just like a pure electric vehicle, providing a smooth and quiet ride. For short trips in the city, it relies entirely on battery power, resulting in zero fuel consumption and cost savings. However, for long-distance trips or when the battery is low, a small gasoline engine automatically starts up, but it doesn’t directly propel the vehicle—instead, it acts as a generator to recharge the battery. This ensures a range of over 500 kilometers with ease, unlike pure electric vehicles where you constantly worry about running out of power and getting stranded. Another advantage is that the engine only operates at efficient RPMs, avoiding unnecessary emissions and waste. Daily maintenance is similar to that of a conventional car, requiring only routine oil changes and battery checks. The overall design makes it reliable and economical under various road conditions.

[DelOmar]

From a technical perspective, the working principle of a range-extended electric vehicle: It mainly consists of an electric motor, a small gasoline engine with a generator, and a large battery. When the vehicle is in motion, the electric motor is responsible for all power output, providing responsive and quiet driving. When the battery level drops to a certain point, the engine starts to drive the generator to produce electricity, which can directly power the electric motor or be stored in the battery for later use. This approach keeps the engine operating at its optimal speed consistently, avoiding the inefficiency issues caused by frequent speed changes in traditional hybrid vehicles. The result? Much higher fuel utilization and cleaner emissions. Related components, such as the controller, monitor the battery level, and the entire process is automated, requiring the driver only to refuel and recharge. During long-distance travel, the system automatically switches, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.

[Alice]

This car has many advantages: quick start, low noise, making it ideal for city driving, and the all-electric mode is super economical. When the battery is low, the engine starts to generate electricity, eliminating range anxiety. The downside is that it's slightly more expensive, and maintenance might be a bit more complex due to the combination of multiple systems. The working principle ensures that the engine only generates electricity and drives when it's most efficient, saving more fuel than pure gasoline cars, but the battery range is not as good as pure electric cars, making it suitable for people who mainly commute daily. Simply put, the electric motor is the main force, the engine is the backup, optimizing overall performance.