On Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:57:20 -0000
"Recliner" wrote:
This is a range-extender hybrid, unlike most existing hybrid cars. In
other words, it's more like the Volt, not the Prius (ie, not all hybrid
cars are the same). So the only drive to the axle is from the 174bhp
motor, powered by the battery, with the generator just acting as a
part-time charger, which runs at optimum revs when it runs at all. If
the engine isn't charging the battery as fast as it's discharging, the
bus will have to stop or slow down for long enough for the charge to
accumulate again.

No reason it should have to stop - the power could be directed straight from
generator to motor bypassing the battery. In fact thats what any sane drive
system should do since there's no point directing power into the battery if
its just going to be used up again immediately. Also unless a radical new
battery technology has been invented the motor would almost certainly be able
to drain the battery faster than the generator can charge it so I suspect the
generator will be running most of the time anyway regardless of traffic
conditions. The plus side as you said is it can run at an optimal rpm and
regenerative braking can regain some of the energy lost.

If they haven't designed the system so it can run on generator alone with a
flat battery then shame on them.

B2003