HHSE (Hybrid-Hybrid-Serial-Electric) vehicle invented

[hermperez]

Originally Posted by Texas

No, we do not have practical quick-charge batteries yet.

A123 M1 batteries can be fully charged in 20 minutes, not sure about their automobile grade prismatic cells. They mention it in the specs but do use some sort of weasel words about it.

The ones I use in my electric RC planes are recharged in 10 minutes routinely, and they have lasted several years without degradation. The charge cord gets fairly warm, the batteries remain cool.

[Texas]

Originally Posted by doggydogworld

HHSE gives you the same peak power at a bit over half the electronics cost of HSD and much less than half the cost of E-Flex. The big disadvantage is you need an electronically-controlled clutch (actually two small cluthches to allow low speed charge-sustaining mode). The other disadvantage is the engine must fire up for max power, e.g. fast freeway merges, so you lose the marketing message of "zero gasoline if you drive less than 40 miles". Note Prius-style PHEVs have this same problem.

These are good points and I think the final configuration of the HHSE will take time to flesh out. There is an efficiency loss and cost increase for each increase in transmission complexity. That is why I think only the final gearing is needed, much like cruising in sixth speed in your Corvette. You can drive for hours in that mode.

In the HHSE's case, the small ICE motor will run right in it's sweet spot to handle this load for hours of operation. Don't forget, we can use biofuels for this to ensure a fully renewable solution. The current E85 motor running 85% ethanol (second generation processes) is a very good start. No reason why that a small biodiesel powered diesel could not be added to the option list, especially for Europe.

So, I think that the HHSE system can be added to a front-wheel drive car for a minimal cost, when compared to the ten years of efficiency savings for people that like to drive on the highways.

I think it’s also one of the first viable hybrid designs for freight trucks because it eliminates the efficiency losses of a pure serial design but gains all of the ruggedness of a simple mechanical transmission and the benefits of a serial hybrid (engine off in traffic, regen, low-end torque, no shifting for drivers, no complicated transmissions that need maintenance, low noise in cities, etc.

I look forward to seeing some HHSE prototypes in the near future and seeing what is possible with such a configuration.