I don’t understand why a car would have both if they both provide rotational energy, unless they just stack? I don’t know what’s going on.

  • @[email protected]
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    fedilink
    21 year ago

    I think you have some confusion with terms. Generally, where I am from motor is another term for an engine(usually an older term not used as much anymore, or as slang), unless you’re more specifically talking about an electric motor.

    Internal combustion engines (conventional cars) have an engine that uses gas or diesel to cause controlled explosions that turn chemical energy into rotational mechanical energy. They only have one engine or “motor” which transmits power to the transmission, then eventually to the wheels.

    Electric cars have battery packs that power 1-4 electric motors which in turn move the wheels (depends on the variety of electric car).

    You can also have hybrids which is perhaps what you are asking about? Where it’s a combination of a convential gas or diesel engine that can either power the car directly, or can charge the larger battery packs that can power electric motors. This is more akin to an generator, that burns fuel to produce power, being connected to an electric motor(s) to move the tires. The car can run on battery power, engine power, or a mixture depending on the situation.

    These are generalizations, if you provide more specifics about your question I would be happy to clarify anything.