How Does It Work? Honda's 2 Motor Hybrid System Explained!

[admin]

How does the hybrid system in the Accord, Clarity, Insight and upcoming CR-V Hybrid work? How is it different than other hybrids and will you really get 212 HP …

[h bethune]

Only just found you and what a very good surprise, superb graphics and enjoyable mechanics, nice. Thank you.

[James Chung]

New CRV without the turbo and CVT should make for a better CUV. Oil dilution problems from the turbo and peculiar CVT feel could make the product woes of the current CRV a thing of the past.

[Kyriaeus]

Just theorycrafting here, but it seems an advantage of Honda's IMMD system is that there is some more freedom in the placement of the traction motor.

For instance, a narrower but longer traction motor could be mounted in the central tunnel where the transmission of a longitudinal layout would normally sit, and have it drive either the front, rear, or both axles. This would cut down the width of the "transaxle" portion of the hybrid system, which can still retain a mechanical top gear and clutch pack connected to the front axle. This would make it feasible to package a larger ICE & generator combo if higher performance is desired, and the traction motor would have quite a bit more headroom too to scale up or down. There would probably be space for a 2 or 3-speed gearbox for the traction motor to widen the efficient operating range of the serial hybrid mode, and make the mechanical top gear even taller to improve high-speed cruising. After all, the Lexus multistage hybrid system manages to stuff a 4-speed auto gearbox, 2 motor generators, a planetary gearset, and bellhousing and flywheel all in that space.

My conjecture is that Honda's high-speed efficiency is lowered in part due to the fixed ratio between the large traction motor and the wheels. As rotor RPM nears its upper limit there are significant iron losses in PMAC motors as the permanent magnets spin past the stator teeth.

[TruAgape1234]

I lost interest at hybrid. Battery electric only! Hello Tesla.

[Macht Schnell]

Clever, but not inspiring, I doubt Koenigsegg will use it.

[Andrew Ngo]

Finally someone can explain how Honda Hybrid works! Thanks!

[Alofzico]

Can't believe how complex Hybrid technology is. And I can't believe how competent you are on this, making this a must watch if I'm buying a HV.

[Christine Roy]

I like the design it seems simple but I heard you say in other videos the Honda mpg drops off over 70 mph or so. If you were going to drive a 50/50 mix of California suburban streets (45-50mph) and freeways 70-75 or even greater (traffic seems to move 75-80) would you get the Honda or Toyota system?

[ElementaryTechie]

that intro is a bit strange

[Pmo Moph]

One thing that seems to confuse a lot of people about hybrids is the fact that the output of the electric motor is limited not only by the motor itself but also by how much electrical energy can be delivered to it. The battery alone can’t deliver enough to get the full 180 hp out of the traction motor; it’s augmented by power from the generator unit too. So if the engine is mechanically coupled to the output and 100% of its torque is used as tractive effort, the traction motor can only output a fraction of its rated 180 hp because it’s limited by what the battery can discharge.

[tjsean0308]

You should do one on Voltec It's a dual electric motor generator set up as well.

[a22fc]

Im about to buy a Crv hybrid this month yahooo

[Jason Hill]

Is the US getting the new Fit Hybrid? The internet seems to say “no”.

[pepe la pew]

I don't get it .really don't get it .

[Kartboarder22G]

This shocks me that they mechanically connect the rear of the CRV vs. just adding a 3rd electric motor for the rear, or even 2 electric motors for the rear to torque vector.

[mobgma]

ill stick with toyota. honda couldnt even get the earthdreams motor right without oil dilution. many class action lawsuits later….

[Sketchupdave]

Its how diesel elctric locomotives work (without the clutch), there are also diesel hydraulic locomotives

[Dee Neyugn]

Have any company offers additional battery packages along with replace inverter and accessories along software update to convert current hybrid to plugin hybrid.

[Harbir Brar]

Having that kind of knowledge is a positive thing but explaining it to others in such a simplified way takes it to another level. Finally someone who keeps it simple and yet makes 100% sense. Thanks a lot.

[Joe meats]

what does mechanical loss? less efficiency with future mechanical problems?

[gerryzub]

Well, as an owner of the Insight I need to tell you about the real world. The Insight crushes the Prius at lower speeds, say 45 and under. It will get 65 mpg easily and consistently depending on the terrain your driving. At higher speeds, 65 to 70 the Prius will beat the Insight. The Insight does not like high speeds at all. The clutch often disengages at highway speeds to generate more power for the electric motor to consume. The engine drones on loudly.

[hightechNow]

Great explanation on systems. I'm thinking the Honda clarity is still the best plug in hybrid for 2020.

[Charles Prooth]

Excellent presentation!

In reality, the direct connection between the internal combustion engine and the wheels without input/output to/from the battery rarely takes place, especially where I live, in a hilly area. Regardless, my 2018 Accord Hybrid is an amazing car and I love it. As soon as the CRV Hybrid is available so that dealers will deal on the price I will exchange my Fit for a CRV.

[LaBambaC]

8:10 possible peak hp of 212 at 100mph… why would you assume peak system power is at peak gas engine power?

[Jeff Martin]

Instead of one engine to worry about we now get one engine and two motors.

[Yi Pan]

If my daily round trip is 140 miles most of them are highway, which car should I get? Clarity? Accord hybrid? Camry hybrid? Or even model3

[Amos Soma]

Excellent explanation of the Honda hybrid system. My son has an Accord hybrid and it's a great car. Now, explain why Honda does not supply a spare tire with their hybrid vehicles. The last flat I changed in a school parking lot was the result of a cut tire, not a punctured tire. If it has been a hybrid Honda, I would have had to call a tow truck to take me to the nearest tire store and since it was after hours, I would have had to find a ride home. It just doesn't make sense and is an absolute deal breaker for me.

[Jeff Jo]

The official name of the Honda system is “Intelligent multi-Mode Drive,” or iMMD. Both Toyota and Honda say they have an “eCVT,” but it means different things. Toyota’s is “electronically controlled,” meaning how the power split is monitored. Honda’s is “electrically coupled,” meaning there (usually) is no mechanical connection between engine and wheels; that is, a serial hybrid.

At about 7:20, you say the battery is “taken out of the equation” at highway speeds. This is not true. While cruising at 55 mph, and with the clutch engaged, about 30% to 50% of the engine’s power is going to the battery (it’s generating 34 hp, and needs only 15 to 20 to cruise). When about a quarter of the battery’s capacity is saved this way (where it fits in the range changes with ECON, NORMAL, and SPORT modes), the car goes into EV mode to use that energy.

I don’t fully understand how the 212 peak horsepower is achieved, but your explanation can’t be right. It can’t be the engine’s peak HP at 100 mph+ added to the motor’s 181 HP, because this would give different combined totals for the Accord/CR-V and Clarity. The 181 HP limit is a software limit, not a hardware limit. A sustained electrical power above that could damage the coils, so it is limited. I have seen speculation that this limit could be exceeded for short periods, which is why all three that use the larger motor have the same “combined” power. It's "combined" because the battery can't provide it alone.

And the Accord is faster than the Camry in 0-60 mph by between 0.4 to 0.8 seconds, depending on whose test you read, Because the Camry won’t get anywhere near its maximum HP rpm in that range, either.

[H-S Kim]

This aligns very well with my experience driving a 2019 Accord Hybrid. Mileage is amazing around 65 mph (53 mpg) then takes a hit around 70 mph (39 mpg). Thanks for the clear explanation!

[Jusumoner]

Thanks for clarifying how my Clarity works, non less it's an amazing car to drive.

[Bryan A]

Huh?????

[xanth987]

Wow, Alex has a Nixie tube clock on the table next to him. Cool

[Sergey]

Thank you! Smart and clear!

[guizarbg]

As always great explanation! Can you please also do a video explaining the Kia/Hyundai hybrid and compare it to the others with pros and cons. The upcoming Hybrid Kia Sorento looks very interesting with a1.6L turbo/hybrid producing around 230hp. Hopefully you can also dive into this setup.

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