In article <41747C24.33791D3@junkmail.com>, Randolph <trash@junkmail.com> wrote:
>
>Dave wrote:
>> the motor at this power! Basically, the engine has to run a
>> generator to fully power the motor(!). This might seem strange,
>> but it does make some sense from a system point of view.
>
>One reason is sounds strange is that it really isn't so. The (electric)
>motor and the generator is one and the same unit.

Yes ... and No. At least with the Prius and I'm 99% sure that the
Escape is the same. Yes in that the traction motor is also a
generator which captures regen braking. But there is a *second*
generator (which doesn't double as a motor) that is also on the
planetary that takes engine power, converts it to electric, which
then either recharges the battery or feeds the traction motor.
And the three speeds of the devices (engine, generator, traction
motor) play a complex dance through the planetary gearbox to make
it all work efficiently. Obviously, the traction motor/generator
doesn't do both fcns at the same time.

The Escape uses a 94 hp (70 kW output) traction motor. If it has
a 90% efficiency, that requires 78 kW of input electric. This
cannot be met by a c. 30 kW battery! So, when the traction motor
is running full out, well more than half of its power is coming
from the IC engine!