Sorry, Joel. I know you’re excited about Mazda bring back the rotary motor as a range extender for MX-30. I would have been like that if it were 8-10 years ago. But now (and maybe even back then), Mazda’s rotary range extender is a silly idea.
We are waiting for Mazda revealed the MX-30 expanding its shooting range this week in Brusselsand it was a long time coming. Like Mazda said to return in 2021“This technology is being designed to operate almost silently and will complement the battery rather than driving the wheels. As a result, the MX-30 will always operate like the attractive EV it is, but with the freedom to charge from the wall or on the go.” Despite the PR hype, that doesn’t sound great for a number of reasons, and not just because of the questionable market prospects of today’s range extenders.
Range extenders can still serve the purpose for a short time. More range electric vehicles will probably serve the public better than many plug-ins crossbreed with the minimal power range we have instead, especially against the longer range BEVs currently available. REx systems are the ultimate solution to improving range anxiety, largely for owners who don’t live where public charging infrastructure is available. And if charging carriers continue to fail as badly as they do, extenders could still find meaning in a large, easy-to-drive country like the US, but that window of opportunity is closing. , if not, as battery costs and charging infrastructure improve.
Range extenders are no longer an excuse to deliver bad range from an EV. Then you just had a low performance Dip into the mixture with even more compromised efficiency. If you’re driving an EV with a meager 100-mile range — or less if Mazda has to sacrifice battery capacity to make room for a spin system — many drivers will find themselves constantly relying on the tractor. That long, kills the fun of having an electric car. EV, while others will avoid using it as much as possible, if at all (thus wishing they had just used the full BEV). And maybe this range extender won’t detraction from the experience of driving by putting the car in a low-power limp (look at you, BMW i3), but it won’t add anything to enjoying the experience in the usual way of revving.
The most interesting part of the Wankel engine, aside from its status as an automotive oddity, is its character at top performance, namely high revs, distinct sound and ability to deliver. energy. And while those thrills won’t translate into a range extender, the camera does add complexity and another ultimate method of maintenance to ownership. With the luxuries of hindsight, the reliability of a gyro is not something to be excited about. Overall, the lack of cleanliness and thermal performance makes it an even worse candidate for EV support.
If you are going to use a rotary engine in an electric car, then you should at least enjoy the advantages it offers. But its inherent compromises make me think, despite Mazda’s current attempt to prove otherwise, that the rotation is dead forever. If you really want to justify its resurgence, the Wankel should drive the wheels – not just charge the battery – and the e-motors should support the fun… at least while there’s still a market for powertrains Hybrid powertrain focuses on power rather than efficiency. I don’t think it would be on my wish list for a daily driver, at least not in my body. one MX-30but it’s still neat despite being instantly outdated.
If not, we should let the cycle rest. And if range extenders find popularity again in the market—which I doubt they will—let them be as clean, efficient, and invisible as possible. That is to say, usually. That’s not always a bad thing.
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