Honda's New Steam-Powered Hybrid Engine
Honda has just unveiled a concept car using a so-called Rankine cycle co-generation unit to power a hybrid engine. The engine recycles wasted heat from the exhaust to generate steam that turns a turbine-generating electricity, which charges the batteries. The concept has proven more efficient than the regenerative breaking system employed by most current hybrid cars, including the Prius, especially when cruising at highway speeds.
The concept is not entirely new, and Honda claims that at 62 miles-per-hour the new engine is 3.8 percent more efficient than past versions. Apparently, the engine is currently not efficient enough (not to mention too expensive) to merit being installed in a production vehicle, but Honda has said that this may change if it can can make the engine even more efficient.
From Engadget
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sean @ Feb 21st 2008 1:55PM
geeezus are the R+D depts in detroit asleep at the switch ?I'm getting really tired of reading about technological breakthroughs made by companies based outside the united states wake up
e-man9400 @ Feb 21st 2008 2:23PM
I agree with you Sean,Wheres our technolgy at?I mean GM with the volt?Is that it?
We got to rember that this country loves oil.As long this nation keep relying on fossile.We are all going to be scuba diving in New York and San Francisco.I see chevron and BP saying there look for alternatives but were on the edge at "THIS VERY MOMENT"!
Kev @ Feb 21st 2008 2:50PM
The very problem is revealed by the two previous comments. Look at the spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Our education system is in shambles thanks to doting parents and disinterested teachers. Now that these uneducated students have been unleashed on the United States, we are seeing the results. America will not recover from her current situation unless parents decide to be parents and not "friends" to their children and we have teachers who teach, not babysit. And while I'm on the soapbox, it will take a culture shift away from "because I want it" to "I'll be the best I can be for others."