Nissan is developing an engine for road cars that could reach 50% thermal efficiency
Nissan is developing a more efficient internal combustion engine for road cars that could reach 50% thermal efficiency.
Thermal efficiency is a measure of how much of the heat energy generated by combustion is actually converted into useful work.
A car engine might have a thermal efficiency of only 30% but clever design such as the Atkinson Cycle engine can raise this to around 40%.
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The Mercedes formula one engine is said to have an energy efficiency of around 50% but that uses some very advanced, and complicated technology.
One of the difficulties in internal combustion engines, is that they have to operate over a rev range and under varying loads.
Nissan’s concept is to have an engine that runs at a constant speed that drives a generator to provide electric power to a battery that can the drive an electric motor through various road situations.
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