Tüübihübriidsõiduk

Tüübihübriidsõiduk, often abbreviated as THS or referred to as a series hybrid, is a type of hybrid electric vehicle where the internal combustion engine does not directly drive the wheels. Instead, the engine acts solely as a generator to produce electricity. This electricity can then be used to power the electric motor that drives the vehicle, or it can be stored in a battery pack for later use.

In a typical series hybrid configuration, the engine and the electric motor are not mechanically connected. The engine starts when the battery charge is low or when additional power is needed. The electric motor is the sole source of propulsion. This design allows the engine to operate at its most efficient speed, independent of the vehicle's speed.

This setup differs from parallel hybrids, where both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor can independently or simultaneously drive the wheels, and from series-parallel hybrids (also known as power-split hybrids) which can operate in either series or parallel modes.

The primary advantage of a series hybrid is its potential for improved fuel efficiency, especially in urban driving conditions where frequent starts and stops occur. By allowing the engine to run at optimal RPMs, emissions can also be reduced. However, series hybrids can sometimes be less efficient at higher, constant speeds compared to other hybrid types or conventional vehicles due to energy conversion losses. Examples of vehicles that utilize or have utilized series hybrid technology include some range-extended electric vehicles and certain experimental or niche automotive designs.