No range anxiety with the Tesla Model Y HyperHybrid

Obrist Powertrain is making a comeback again. After the Austrians replaced the electric powertrain of the Model 3 with a hybrid set-up, they are doing that trick again with the new Tesla Model Y. The HyperHybrid, as the creation developed by Obrist Powertrain is called, uses a 1 liter two-cylinder engine. as a range extender. The compact petrol engine is thus used as a generator for the battery pack, which has a capacity of 17.3 kWh. Those batteries in turn supply power to the 136 hp electric motor, which is located between the driven rear wheels. You can also charge the batteries via the plug, which results in a fully electric autonomy of about 90 kilometers. But you don’t have to, Obrist Powertrain quickly adds. The average standard consumption is 3.3 liters per 100 kilometres.

The HyperHybrid solution makes the Tesla Model Y a lot slower, but it does offer an answer to the range and charge anxiety that prevents many consumers from buying an electric car.

HyperEfficient?

The principle of the HyperHybrid is reminiscent of an electric car with a range extender, such as the BMW i3 REX at the time. But according to the guys at Obrist Powertrain, his system works much better. First, the 55 hp two-cylinder would run smoother, quieter and virtually vibration-free. In addition, the petrol engine of the Tesla Model Y HyperHybrid does not only fire up when the battery is empty, but whenever you drive faster than 65 km/h. For example, the battery is continuously maintained and in theory you get a driving range of 1,000 km, of which almost 100 km are fully electric. In addition, the new powertrain would be more than half the cost of the newer and larger battery pack of the 100% electric Tesla Model Y.

This does not alter the fact that the concept also has a lot of disadvantages. As a HyperHybrid, the Tesla Model Y not only loses its speed, you emit CO2 again and have to be serviced more often.