Some musings on future power trains
As an owner of a 32ft DP with a Cummins 6.7 diesel and two F150 pickup trucks with 3.5 Ecoboost engines I have long felt that the Ecoboost outperforms the Cummins used in this application, is quieter ...
Forum Discussion
time2roll wrote:
I would like to see a hybrid that eliminates the transmission too. Ecoboost would be fine and would already be combined with a generator as part of the main drive.
Plug-in battery range of maybe 10 to 50 miles on electric only. This would run short errands and propel the RV from the campground to the highway. Very quiet for leaving early or arriving late.
On the highway the ecoboost would connect direct with a single clutch to run all day at speeds of 45 mph+. Lower speeds around the city would be powered by electric motor on battery power. Ecoboost would keep the battery up with the attached generator.
While climbing a hill the electric motor would assist in providing power. Likewise descending a hill the electric would control speed by recapturing energy back into the battery.
Of course this could be done with ecoboost or a smaller diesel. The main battery would also be used while camping off grid including running one air conditioner 3 to 5 days before recharging is needed.
In a hybrid situation, there isn't the same need for turbos. The ecoboost is about being able to put out a wide range of power depending on need. That's the same thing a hybrid does. If you are just using the ICE as a generator to feed the batteries/electric motor, a NA ICE run at ideal engine speeds will generally be as efficient or better compared to a turbo without the cost or complication that a turbo adds.
