Zoomi Life

FEV proposed the Wankel Rotary Engine as a range-extender solution at this year’s SAE conference.  The issues of repeated starting and engine vibration are becoming paramount in plug-in hybrid maker’s minds.  Efficiency, quiet operation, and the ability to stand up to repeated starting are important to the overall comfort and long-term operation of a PHEV.

General Motors and other companies are developing low-vibration piston engines and finding that there is a limit to how much of these factors can be achieved.  FEV has been studying this problem and has proposed the Wankel as a solution.

They put an experimental version into a Fiat 500 EV with the Wankel acting as an auxiliary power unit (APU).  Their small size, high power density, strong inherent design, and very low vibration seem to make them ideal for the choice. The only down side is efficiency, which a comparable piston motor will always outperform a Wankel in.  For range-extension rather than pure driving, however, this may not be as much of a factor compared to the other benefits to be gained.

It seems like a pretty cool solution. Besides, “Wankel Rotary Engine” is just fun to say.  I expect a few car makers will at least play with this idea, but it’s anyone’s guess as to how many will actually adopt it as their answer.  I’d like to see one in a Fisker and an Aptera, myself.

Source: AutoblogGreen