In the rapid development of automotive technology, different power technologies have emerged, among which the extended-range tram has been controversial. Some consider this technology "retro", likening it to installing a gasoline generator in a car, questioning its novelty in energy conversion. In this debate about the future of automotive dynamics, the views of leading experts and the emergence of plug-in hybrids reveal a more complex and diverse landscape of automotive dynamics.
The extended-range tram technology has sparked a lot of controversy, with some arguing that it is a "retro" technology that brings automotive power into the realm of gasoline-electric hybridization. Critics say the technology appears to simply add a gasoline generator to the car and then use an electric motor to drive the car. This has raised a series of questions about the efficiency of energy conversion, casting doubt on the innovation of extended-range trams.
In this controversy, the interpretation of Ouyang Minggao, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor at Tsinghua University, has injected new thinking into this debate. He pointed out that plug-in hybrids and extended-range trams are technically the same system, but there are essential differences. The subtle differences between the two in the mode of operation of the powertrain are revealed.
Plug-in hybrids are given greater flexibility, with two powertrains that can be flexibly switched between diesel-electric, all-electric and hybrid modes as needed. On the other hand, the extended-range tram enters a series hybrid after a loss of power, and the engine does not directly drive the wheels, but generates electricity, and then the electric motor drives the wheels. This relatively rigid mode of work raises doubts about its practicality and economy.
With the praise of plug-in hybrids, it is undeniable that the technology is more expensive and technically more difficult. BYD, for example, has made significant progress in plug-in hybrid technology, but at the same time, it has also paid higher R&D costs. This has led some new forces to choose the low-threshold extended-range hybrid as an entry point.
Despite the popularity of plug-in hybrids, they are not without their challenges. The high cost and technical difficulty make the popularization of this technology face certain constraints. Pure electric vehicles are gradually being paid attention to as the future development direction. With the maturity of battery technology, pure electric vehicles have become the first choice for many new forces.
While pure electric vehicles are ushering in the development spring, plug-in hybrids still play a balancing role. Plug-in hybrid technology offers unique advantages in terms of performance and economy for electric vehicles. It can choose different working modes according to different road conditions, which is more economical and energy-saving. This also brings higher costs and technical difficulties.
In the development of automotive power technology, the controversy over the extended-range tram has triggered thinking about the future direction of automotive power. Ouyang's interpretation reveals the subtle differences between plug-in hybrids and extended-range trams, as well as the trend of pure electric vehicles as the future.
Automakers need to balance cost, technical difficulty, and market demand when choosing a technology path. Plug-in hybrids may be the choice of the moment, while pure electric vehicles are the clear trend of the future. Different technology paths will work together to drive the automotive industry towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly direction in the future.