Diesel generates power that charges the batteries. It would be more expensive than a normal ice car, but it would have thousands of miles of range and get 8-10x the range per gallon.
Afaik the only difference at the general level is whether the IC engine connects directly to the wheels or not. A hybrid can run on either engine. A diesel electric uses an IC engine to create electricity for an electric engine. So you still need at least two engines, it’s just wildly more efficient. And quite a bit more expensive to produce.
A second engine costs more, weighs more, needs more support, and makes everything harder to repair.
Basically, internal combustion to the wheels is cheaper for the car builders and good enough.
Diesel electric, not diesel hybrid.
Diesel generates power that charges the batteries. It would be more expensive than a normal ice car, but it would have thousands of miles of range and get 8-10x the range per gallon.
Afaik the only difference at the general level is whether the IC engine connects directly to the wheels or not. A hybrid can run on either engine. A diesel electric uses an IC engine to create electricity for an electric engine. So you still need at least two engines, it’s just wildly more efficient. And quite a bit more expensive to produce.
Wait why would you need two engines? Or are you counting the diesel generator as one and the electric motor as one?
Yup. A diesel generator is an engine. It’s just hooked to an alternator instead of a transmission.
Yeah I wasn’t confused by the diesel generator, but typically electric motors are smaller and simple enough that they’re not considered an engine.
Ah okay