this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2024
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xkcd

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An idling gas engine may be annoyingly loud, but that's the price you pay for having WAY less torque available at a standstill.

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[–] Wogi@lemmy.world 30 points 6 months ago (5 children)

We'll just do what trains do.

Replace the battery with a massive diesel generator. Run that to get power to the electric motors.

Best of both worlds!

[–] ours@lemmy.world 12 points 6 months ago (2 children)

Some trains. In most of Europe, trains are electric and get their power from overhead lines (same for trams and even some buses).

On the other hand, many large ships are diesel-electric. And those gigantic mining haulers as well.

[–] Justas@sh.itjust.works 10 points 6 months ago (2 children)

some buses

Trolleybus: when you need a cheap moustache ride.

[–] ours@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

There are some much nicer more modern ones for those not into the post-Soviet-Republic esthetic. The super-long articulated trolley buses are fun.

[–] someacnt_@lemmy.world 1 points 6 months ago

I think this should be the future

[–] labsin@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 months ago

I think there was a Renault that worked like this. I think the main issue is that you need a decently sized battery that can supply enough power or else the ICE needs to start every time you hit the gas pedal like was the case with the older Prius models and then you might as well connect it to the wheels and you can have a smaller electric motor.

But batteries keep improving and you can pull more power per kWh now. Maybe with solid state batteries this power train could become the more affordable option.

[–] sudoku@programming.dev 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

The way of Toyota hybrids! Though those can power wheels somewhat-directly too.

[–] Krtek@feddit.de 2 points 6 months ago

And almost fully do at highway speeds with how everything is geared

[–] MonkderDritte@feddit.de -2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

Best of both worlds!

This is a joke, right? Efficiency is atrocious.

Hybrid cars were a topic in germany a few years ago. Laws provided funding for them too (grouped as EVs), despite their huge weight and low efficiency. I think it was solved since then?

[–] osti@lemmy.ca 5 points 6 months ago

The "Best of both worlds!" was the part that should have told you that it was a joke. That and the fact that the statement is purposely ridiculous.

[–] DaPorkchop_@lemmy.ml 2 points 6 months ago

A hybrid car is a very different beast than a diesel-electric train.