Rumorpile: GM Ponders A Three-Cylinder For The Volt and ELR

I do not see why they could not use a .5L generator running on diesel or CNG and use a step up transformer to get the amount of electricity into the battery pack.

I do not see why they could not use a .5L generator running on diesel or CNG and use a step up transformer to get the amount of electricity into the battery pack.

well, that's a lawnmower engine... it may not have enough power to run the generator at highway speeds in regen mode.

I wonder if Mazda's mini 1.8L V6 had anything to gain over a 3 cylinder motor?????? Wondering if a balanced mini v6 or v8 would do better than a small 3 cylinder or 2 stroke motor.

I wonder if Mazda's mini 1.8L V6 had anything to gain over a 3 cylinder motor?????? Wondering if a balanced mini v6 or v8 would do better than a small 3 cylinder or 2 stroke motor.

Unlikely... just additional friction. A 1 liter V2 would be about the smallest they could go I imagine.

In many ways, the "range extender" is the biggest limitation for the performance potential of a PHEV/E-REV. The beauty of EVs is that the maximum output of an electric motor has no impact on energy consumption--if driven the same way--unlike with an ICE car, where a larger engine and/or forced induction will reduce fuel economy even if the added power is not being used.

Volt could have a 400-hp motor and keep the same MPGe, but the 82-hp 1.4L range extender keeps that from happening.