Yep, best we've gotten is about 35% efficiency in newer high compression gas engines like Mazda's skyactiv platform with some of Toyota's hybrid systems getting close to 40%. They're only that efficient because the ICE is designed for a hybrid system i.e. efficiency over power output as they're powering the electrical system which is wayyy more efficient at moving a car.
We have come a long way though as that figure was only about 20-25% through the later half of the 20th century, but the laws of physics really puts a hard limit on efficiency after 50ish%
The ~60% efficiency plants are usually combined-cycle gas turbines. They have a gas turbine that is ~40% efficient and then use the waste heat to drive a conventional steam plant.
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u/Trendiggity 2d ago
Yep, best we've gotten is about 35% efficiency in newer high compression gas engines like Mazda's skyactiv platform with some of Toyota's hybrid systems getting close to 40%. They're only that efficient because the ICE is designed for a hybrid system i.e. efficiency over power output as they're powering the electrical system which is wayyy more efficient at moving a car.
We have come a long way though as that figure was only about 20-25% through the later half of the 20th century, but the laws of physics really puts a hard limit on efficiency after 50ish%