Here is a graphic Motor Trend showing how it all works together:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/e...cks/index.html
As I think through this, I can see exactly why it was done. GM very carefully worded their press release about this, again with the goal of misleading us. There is a mechanical link between the engine and wheels: engine -> generator -> planetary gearset -> wheels. It is not a
direct link as the generator is stuck in there compared to how a car normally opperates. But there has to be a mechanical link because of regenerative braking. With regen, the most logical setup would be to have the wheels driving the generator. Well, if you have wheels->planetary->generator and engine->generator ... you've got a mechanical pathway from the engine to the wheels. Now, at some point they realized the potential use of this and figured out a way to implement 'partial mechanical' driving mode to boost efficiency.
From an engineering perspective, its all very clever and they should be applauded for it. But it also goes against what we've been led to believe about the Volt, particularly since they started calling it an EV. I can't believe that the engineers were doing this while their PR and media people had no clue. GM has to be more competent than that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65
The bottom line is that without electricity, the Volt doesn't run. Simple as that. If you ripped out the electric motors and battery and tried to drive the car, it wouldn't run off the gasoline generator.
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But you could also drive it without ever plugging it in.