Quote:
Originally Posted by scottzorch
My recollection from reading the various technical documentation is that the battery is limited to a 5kw (?) maximum charge/discharge rate. When run through the motor-generator to provide motion, this translates to a maximum speed of 42 mph on the straight-and-level. This is also why you can only accelerate slowly from a standing stop (on the level) if you work at staying in EV-mode: the discharge cap prevents the battery from providing a higher power level to the electric motor. My recollection (again) is that the charge/discharge rate is a function of the total charge the battery can take, so a deeper battery could have a higher rate (which would require reprogramming the ECU to take advantage of, of course), but that would mean not just higher speed but better acceleration in EV-mode. I don't recall the horsepower of the MG or the wattage equivalent, but I think the MGs could handle in the range of a 50-100% higher discharge rate - 63mph instead of 42. That's why *I* want a bigger battery - not necessarily to run longer, though I do love rolling in EV - but to be able to go faster in EV and run uphill in EV. |
The only problem is you can't be in EV only mode over about 44
MPH. MG2 will spin too fast and destroy itself. You could have the engine idle, and still use the MG1 and MG2 to provide more propulsion than they would normally and get substancially better FE.
There are a multitude of reasons why I want a bigger battery pack, but better FE is the primary reason.
In the TCH, there is a bunch of wasted space on top of the current battery. It is such an odd size there, that IMPO it is usless as trunk storage space, and could easily be used to double the size of the battery pack. On top of that, if the current battery was replaced with a Lithium pack that was twice the size, the capacity would be about 4-6 time that of the current battery. Then we are talking about some decent range in EV mode and some serious range in motor assit mode getting excelent mileage.