Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek
Keep in mind its a series hybrid. This means that all the 1.0L engine does is generate electricity; all the motive power and torque come from the electric motor. Electric motors are really torquey; especially at 0-RPM: 100% torque available at 0-RPM. Once up to speed you don't need that much power.
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Cruising at highway speed, a full-size Transit van will need about 50 HP on average. For hills and acceleration, the batteries can make up the difference. I think a 1-liter EcoBoost working as a range extender shouldn’t have any problems keeping up in a Class B.
For a larger and heavier rig, like a Gemini, the 1-liter EB may not keep up at higher speeds. I doubt the electric motor is sized for that size and weight vehicle anyway.
I’m with you, and think that for a small and light Class B van camper, this may work great. To go after the European RV market, now dominated by Fiat Ducato, Ford could even supply an inverter/generator like the one scheduled for our North American F-150.
If these functions are intergrated by Ford at OEM level, with more sophistication than Thor or Onan could possibly provide, I’d buy one for sure. It would solve so many RV problems using equipment that was mostly there anyway. The potential is incredible.
With a little software, an RV based on a plug-in hybrid doesn’t need an added air conditioner, or generator, or extra batteries, etc...