A Swiss company called Obrist Powertrain has made a big change to Tesla’s Model Y. They’ve added a small gas engine to work with the car’s electric battery. This new system, called the HyperHybrid, is not fully electric or fully gas—it’s a mix of both.
What’s New?
Here’s how it works:
- A Little Gas Engine: Obrist added a tiny two-cylinder, 1.0-liter engine to the Model Y. This engine doesn’t drive the car but helps charge the battery when it runs low.
- Better Range: With this system, drivers don’t have to worry about running out of battery power on long trips.
- Super Efficient: It only uses about 2 liters of gas for every 100 kilometers—like a car that gets 118 miles per gallon in the U.S. or 141 miles per gallon in the U.K.
Why Is This Important?
Electric cars are amazing, but they can’t go very far without recharging. This is a problem for people who travel long distances or live in places where charging stations are rare.
Obrist’s HyperHybrid idea solves this problem:
- It keeps the benefits of electric cars, like being quiet and using less fuel.
- It also adds the convenience of gas cars, like being able to refill quickly at a gas station.
This makes it easier for more people to switch to greener cars.
Tesla’s Take on the Upgrade
Tesla hasn’t said much about Obrist’s changes to their Model Y. Tesla usually focuses on making fully electric cars and doesn’t include gas engines in its designs.
Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, wants the world to move to clean energy quickly. Tesla’s cars aim to prove that 100% electric vehicles are the future.
What’s Next for Hybrid Cars?
Hybrid cars, like the one Obrist created, could be a bridge to a greener future. They give people a chance to enjoy the perks of electric cars without worrying about running out of power.
Tesla might not use this idea, but it’s a step forward for making cars more eco-friendly. Obrist’s work shows that carmakers are thinking outside the box to help save the planet.
👉 Check out Obrist Powertrain’s innovations here.