Obrist Group proposes “intelligent use of combustion engines instead of a general ban”
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Obrist Group proposes “intelligent use of combustion engines instead of a general ban”
- Hyperhybrid Concept: An electric motor powered by a compact generator using petrol or e-fuels, offering an alternative to large battery packs
- Frank Obrist, Inventor and Entrepreneur: “An intelligent blend of electric drives and combustion engine generators could be the key to sustaining Europe’s automotive industry.”
Lindau/Germany, Lustenau/Austria – November 14 2024 – Inventor and entrepreneur Frank Obrist argues that "the question of a ban on combustion engines in the EU is being discussed in far too many black and white terms." Instead, he advocates for an "intelligent use of combustion engines" as a political, technical, and social compromise, rather than an outright ban. In his proposal, combustion engines would no longer be used for direct propulsion but could serve as compact power generators to charge batteries within the vehicle. “This intelligent combination could become a lifeline for the European automotive industry,” Obrist explained, “because it is environmentally friendly on the one hand and fulfils consumers’ wishes for driving without range anxiety and long charging times on the other.” He added, “Consumers would love this type of vehicle because it allows them to drive electrically but avoids all the disadvantages of conventional e-mobility.”
Following United Nations Recommendations
Frank Obrist, whose industrial group has developed such a concept to the prototype stage under the name Hyperhybrid, explained: “The vehicle is powered by an electric motor, but the large and heavy battery blocks of conventional electric cars are replaced by a compact combustion engine that is used exclusively to generate the electricity for the electric drive.” According to Thorsten Rixmann, Chief Marketing Officer of the Obrist Group, such a compromise would “combine the best of both worlds.” He points out that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) already recognised this concept as the ‘Most Promising Solution Award Winner’ in the ‘Energy Efficiency’ category in 2023.
As the combustion engine functions exclusively as an electricity generator in this approach, it always runs in the optimum speed range and is therefore very economical. It can also be technically designed to run on both petrol and e-fuels. In prototypes, the Obrist Group has achieved consumption figures of around 1.5 litres of petrol and 3.3 litres of methanol per 100 kilometres. The battery merely serves as an energy store between the generator and the electric motor and can therefore be much more compact than in a conventional electric car. In prototypes from the Obrist Group, the so-called ‘CO2 rucksack’, i.e. the CO2 emissions associated with battery production, could be kept around 85 per cent lower compared to purely battery-electric e-cars. What's more, in series production, the Hyperhybrid would be significantly cheaper than battery-only vehicles because the high costs for the battery block would be largely eliminated.
Combined Approach Set to “Massively Boost” Demand
Thorsten Rixmann is certain that this combination of electric motor and on-board power generator would massively boost demand for such vehicles. He argued: “Range anxiety would be eliminated instantly, as the Hyperhybrid offers a driving range of over 1,000 kilometres based on WLTP standards. Plus, with the ability to refuel at any gas station, drivers wouldn’t need to worry about locating charging stations or dealing with extended charging times along the way.” As the purely electric range of the prototypes is over 80 kilometres, which is enough for 90 percent of all everyday journeys, climate protection would also be taken into account “to a very large extent”, the Head of Marketing at the Obrist Group pointed out.
He added: “We need cars made in Europe that are so attractive that there is sufficient demand for them on a large scale without purchase premiums or other state subsidy programs. This is obviously not the case with purely electric cars, as the imbalance in the car industry unfortunately proves all too clearly. I therefore appeal to politicians and manufacturers alike to favour the best-of-both-worlds concept of the Hyperhybrid – the smarter e-vehicle – just as the United Nations recommends.”
Strategic Path Forward for Europe’s Automotive Industry
Thorsten Rixmann outlined the path forward: “The industry’s investments in e-car platforms remain secure, as these platforms can be adapted for the next generation of Hyperhybrids. In simple terms, the bulky battery packs are replaced by a compact power generator with a small fuel tank and a high-performance battery. While this is more complex in practice, it represents a viable long-term strategy for the European auto industry, especially considering the current hesitancy around fully battery-electric cars—assuming policymakers support this direction.”
Obrist Group: The Obrist Group, founded by inventor and entrepreneur Frank Obrist, focuses on innovations for global, sustainable and CO2-reducing energy concepts. The spectrum ranges from the global supply of renewable energies to atmospheric fuels (aFuels) and innovative CO2-negative (i.e. climate-positive!) drive concepts for the automotive industry. With around 380 key patents, the Obrist Group is one of the world's most important innovators in the field of sustainable energy concepts.
Further information: www.obrist.at
Press Contact: Thorsten Rixmann, Chief Marketing Officer, Phone +43 660 5642275, email: t.rixmann@obrist.at
Press Agency: euromarcom public relations, email: team@euromarcom.de
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