Nissan going plugless hybrid route like Chevy Malibu

viking79 said:

You get rid of the complicated (and inefficiency of the) transmission

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Adding more energy conversions (mechanical->electrical->mechanical, or worst-case: mechanical->electrical->chemical->electrical->mechanical) is likely to be less efficient than direct engine-to-wheel mechanical powertrains like other conventional hybrids.

Of course, if this car is small and light, it still might get impressive MPG.

viking79 said:

A series hybid drivetrain will likely do better than ICE in stop-go driving. At high speeds, no. This is why Volt switches to parallel at high speeds to the angst of EV purists. By using series hybid instead of ICE only you can prevent wasteful idling, use regenerative braking, and run engine at ideal RPM. So even though you have conversion losses, you will likely do better than straight ICE.

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Idk why you're comparing the serial hybrid to a regular non-hybrid ICE. That's not the question. It's serial vs parallel.

Serial hybrids intuitively seem like they should be very efficient if you can run a small engine at optimal rpm's. That's what I thought circa early 2010. But that benefit is overblown in reality. The Gen 1 Volt's weak 35 mpg_city -- even with premium fuel -- is a great example of this configuration's real-life limitations, as is the fact that no other automakers' conventional hybrids employ a serial configuration. They use a parallel configuration DESPITE its complexity precisely because it's more efficient.

The reason (explicitly stated in the article) for Nissan to choose a serial configuration for this vehicle is cost.

JoeReal said:

Nissan is taking a step backwards while GM is taking the step forward. It is going to copy the concept of the iBMW 3 Rex, limping home when the battery rans out. The Chevy Volt has still enormous power even when the battery rans out. Now GM is going the next logical step, the Chevy Bolt EV, a pure electric with no range anxiety at an affordable price. Nissan has gone the other way.

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The OP should really edit this post to correct or remove this incorrect statement so people aren't misinformed/confused.