car of the year 2012

[SPARKIEDOO]

there only one thing wrong ......its made by VAUXHALL

nothing more too say!!!!!!!!!

[dollywobbler]

Originally Posted by solarman216

Someone has missed out on the basic facts somewhere, petrol engine to drive a generator, to charge batteries to run an electric motor, that's 4 changes of state by my count, each change incorporates losses, it is a no brain-er, I charge a 24 volt battery bank via two methods, one a modern diesel gen set at 240 volts that then has to go to a charger, the other via a 1975 Lister twin engine driving a bus 24 volt 150 amp alternator direct to the batteries, from flat to full charge the Lister uses more than 2.5 lt LESS fuel than the modern gen set, I rest my case, Rick

I don't think they have missed the basic facts. They've decided that in the real world, this works. Your example is pure engine power to do one task. A car goes through phases in a journey where one power source works better than another. In theory, with the Ampera (or Chevrolet Volt as it actually is- not a Vauxhall or even an Opel really) can be charged via 240v domestic supply. You set off with the battery fully charged and have a range of about 30 miles. That's very efficient on the ol' petrol!

It's like diesel-electric locos. Yes, it's not the most efficient way to drive a set of wheels, but it works perfectly in that case. Seems much more sensible to me that trying to combine an engine and electric motor (like a Prius) which delivers absolutely sod all efficiency advantage over any other car in most real-world situations.

[clivvy]

plus, to develop and improve this technology, people have to buy it. Engine/Battery combos are a great idea, and its already improved a hell of a lot in recent years, a very good sign indeed.