Fast and efficient

[Alan Cordeiro <cordeiro@avlna.com>]

>From detienne@ee.utah.edu  Fri Aug  2 13:28:36 1996

 That fact is what got the 
 following chain of thoughts started...
 
 So what about doing a diesel/electric hybrid?  I believe the 
 Audi 5000 Quattro might be a perfect candidate for such a 
 project.  They are available for very good prices (in the 

Many many engineers have had the same thoughts as you. Papers
on hybrid EVs go back to the mid '80s. EVs can be divided into:


1. Pure EVs, just batteries and motors, 

2. Series hybrid, batteries drive motors, IC engine drives generator
   to charge batteries when the get low ( long trips)

3. Parallel hybrid, Motors drive wheels, IC drives wheels, two sub-groups,
         - Hi-power motors, large battery, small engine. ( local city driving)
         - Small motors, large IC engine ( designed for long distance commuting
                                          and occasional city driving )

Almost all proposals include re-generative braking, allowing energy recovery
from stored vehicle kinetic energy.

Next, the Audi TDI had been very well received in Europe by both the auto 
engineering community, and the consumers. Remember, this is NOT the VW TDI,
but a totally different engine. Very efficient, smooth, lots of torque....
and boy, the fuel economy really helps in Europe where gas/diesel
prices are out of sight.

This engine is presently unavailable in the 'States because of the "tarnished" 
image of diesels and preference of local consumers for the gasoline engine 
"drivability" characteristics. 
( And where do you fill up your tank anyway... at the truck stop ?).  

There is considerably more research going on overseas ( Europe, South America )
on hybrids, and Alternative Fuel Engines ( methane, methanol, DME, etc.)

Look up the SAE papers for the last 10 years, and on the papers published
at the international conferences on alternative fuel engines.

Alan Cordeiro