News Mazda Rotary engine is back as an Electric Range extender.

[Heartbreaker]

The MX-30 R-EV is going to be sold in Europe. Unclear if/when the US gets it:

Mazda MX-30 R-EV Brings Back the Rotary, but Not Like You Imagined

The rotary has returned, but this time around, the 0.8-liter single-rotor gasoline engine serves as a generator to charge the battery.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[sdifox]

Rotary by itself is too simple a system. Let's add an electric drive system to it.

 

[ISAslot]

I wonder what RPM it will spin while charging.

 

[Heartbreaker]

I wonder what RPM it will spin while charging.

Despite the typical wording around this, Range Extenders typically aren't there to charge the battery, but instead provide on demand power to drive the wheels, so the RPM will vary with the load demand.

Peak power is at 4700 RPM, which is nothing for a Rotary.

 

[sdifox]

Despite the typical wording around this, Range Extenders typically aren't there to charge the battery, but instead provide on demand power to drive the wheels, so the RPM will vary with the load demand.

Peak power is at 4700 RPM, which is nothing for a Rotary.

this one drives a dynamo to charge the battery. Just like Chevy Volt.

 

[Heartbreaker]

this one drives a dynamo to charge the battery. Just like Chevy Volt.

No, and neither does the Volt. The Volt even has a transmission and clutches to connect the gas engine to the wheels directly, because it's more efficient.

Connecting Mechanical power directly to the wheels is more efficient than:

Converting Mechanical power to Electrical Power, then converting Electrical power to Mechanical power, then connecting that to the wheels.

Energy conversions each come with losses (~5-10%), x 2.

Even worse would be converting Mechanical power to Electrical Power, then converting Electrical power, to chemical potential, then converting chemical potential to Electrical power, then converting Electrical power to Mechanical power, then connecting that to the wheels.

That gives you 4 wasteful energy conversions...

To minimize some conversions, the Rotary Range extender generator, will provide electrical power directly to the EV Motors, bypassing charging the battery (and those extra losses) whenever possible.

 

[sdifox]

No, and neither does the Volt. The Volt even has a transmission and clutches to connect the gas engine to the wheels directly, because it's more efficient.

Connecting Mechanical power directly to the wheels is more efficient than:

Converting Mechanical power to Electrical Power, then converting Electrical power to Mechanical power, then connecting that to the wheels.

Energy conversions each come with losses (~5-10%), x 2.

Even worse would be converting Mechanical power to Electrical Power, then converting Electrical power, to chemical potential, then converting chemical potential to Electrical power, then converting Electrical power to Mechanical power, then connecting that to the wheels.

That gives you 4 wasteful energy conversions...

To minimize some conversions, the Rotary Range extender generator, will provide electrical power directly to the EV Motors, bypassing charging the battery (and those extra losses) whenever possible.

interesting. I looked up the explanation.

Unbolting the Chevy Volt to See How it Ticks - Motor Trend

Unbolting the Chevy Volt to See How it Ticks: The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is a hybrid, after all. Yes, Virginia, the Chevy Volt’s gas engine does turn the wheels. Sometimes. Read more about the Chevrolet Volt's hybrid system from the Automotive experts at Motor Trend.

www.motortrend.com

second gen

 

[ISAslot]

The creation of this vehicle will now allow the venn diagrams of engine issues for RX7 enthusiasts to over lap with hybrid owners on apex seals.