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A German-Austrian company, Obrist Group, has proposed a solution for end-of-life battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) with depleted battery packs: repurposed internal combustion engine (ICE) setups.
Their "HyperHybrid" powertrain concept, akin to systems seen in Nissan e-Power systems, substitutes a compact petrol ICE as a generator for the vehicle's electric motors.
HyperHybrid's fundamental principle lies in the integration of a compact combustion engine solely responsible for generating electricity to power the vehicle's electric motor. This promises reductions in weight and environmental impact.
Obrist Group has conducted successful trials, retrofitting existing BEVs, including models from Tesla, to showcase HyperHybrid's functionality in real-world driving conditions. According to Obrist, the concept is now ready for mass production.
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Environmental advantages of HyperHybrid are two-fold, claims the company. Firstly, the downsizing of battery components translates to lower CO2 emissions and reduced environmental impact during production.
Secondly, the incorporation of a combustion engine for electricity generation allows for extended range without compromising efficiency. The HyperHybrid has a pure electric range of 80 to 90 km and a total range exceeding 1,000 km.
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The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has recognised HyperHybrid as a notable contribution to sustainable mobility, awarding it the esteemed "Most Promising Solution Award" in the Energy Efficiency category.
HyperHybrid's introduction comes at a crucial moment as the European Union reevaluates its plans to phase out combustion engine vehicles by 2035.
"The hyper-hybrid is ready for series production," says Frank Obrist, inventor and founder of the group of companies that bears his name. Obrist asserts that the HyperHybrid excels in the entire “well-to-wheel” chain, particularly given the varying renewable energy mixes used to charge electric cars.
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According to an internal EU document, electric cars fare poorly due to the current energy mix, which heavily relies on coal-fired electricity. Obrist cites EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's emphasis on reevaluating environmental considerations in the automotive sector to foster openness to diverse technologies and choices.
"In this context," Obrist highlights, "the HyperHybrid offers European car manufacturers a distinctive edge over purely electric competition from China and the USA." He underscores the HyperHybrid's suitability for the anticipated shift from fossil fuels to e-fuels, noting its compatibility with synthetic fuels produced using renewable energies like solar power and hydrogen.
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