They were later used in locomotives, forklifts, trolley buses and heavy mining equipment. Typically speaking, these machines draw electricity from either overhead electrical wires, a battery or an engine-generator mounted on the vehicle. Given the high torque at idle, linear power on the move and energy consumption that’s proportional to the power generation, electric motors usually operate without a gearbox between them and the driving wheels.
Hybrid drive systems
The hybrid drive concept is based on dual energy. Most of us are now familiar with gasoline-electric hybrid systems (1901 Ferdinand Porsche, Toyota Prius, etc.). However, gasoline-hydraulic systems and even electric-flywheel systems have also been or are being used around the world.
The idea behind a hybrid powertrain is to rely on a smaller gasoline engine that runs in max efficiency conditions while offering extra power for moderate to heavy accelerations and passing manoeuvres. The electric assist uses the energy supplied by a battery pack which is charged by the gasoline engine or through regenerative braking.
Electric cars
The line between hybrids and electric cars seems to get blurred at times. Why not simply get rid of the dirty engine that runs on increasingly expensive fuel? From GM’s EV1 to Toyota’s Prius, evidence shows that while performance is quite acceptable, the limited range of batteries affect practical use in year-round conditions. Even lithium-ion batteries, which generally perform better than other types of batteries, are incapable of supplying enough convenient energy (1,000 kilos worth of batteries provide a sedan with a range of 150 kilometres).
The issue goes beyond batteries, though. For instance, where does the electricity used to charge the batteries come from? Electrifying our entire vehicle fleet would require the development of additional power plants in order to massively increase grid capacity.
Hybrid drive systems
The hybrid drive concept is based on dual energy. Most of us are now familiar with gasoline-electric hybrid systems (1901 Ferdinand Porsche, Toyota Prius, etc.). However, gasoline-hydraulic systems and even electric-flywheel systems have also been or are being used around the world.
 |
| 2010 Toyota Prius engine |
The idea behind a hybrid powertrain is to rely on a smaller gasoline engine that runs in max efficiency conditions while offering extra power for moderate to heavy accelerations and passing manoeuvres. The electric assist uses the energy supplied by a battery pack which is charged by the gasoline engine or through regenerative braking.
Electric cars
The line between hybrids and electric cars seems to get blurred at times. Why not simply get rid of the dirty engine that runs on increasingly expensive fuel? From GM’s EV1 to Toyota’s Prius, evidence shows that while performance is quite acceptable, the limited range of batteries affect practical use in year-round conditions. Even lithium-ion batteries, which generally perform better than other types of batteries, are incapable of supplying enough convenient energy (1,000 kilos worth of batteries provide a sedan with a range of 150 kilometres).
The issue goes beyond batteries, though. For instance, where does the electricity used to charge the batteries come from? Electrifying our entire vehicle fleet would require the development of additional power plants in order to massively increase grid capacity.
 |
| EV1 by General Motors |