Cars have long had
computerised
engine-management
that responds
on the fly
to changes in driving conditions. The introduction of electric power has, however, complicated matters.
Hybrids,
which have both a petrol engine and an electric motor run by a battery that is recharged by capturing
kinetic
energy as the vehicle slows or brakes, need more management than does a petrol engine alone. Things get even harder with plug-in hybrids, which can be recharged from the mains and have a longer electric-only range.
引擎的智能化管理早已应用于汽车，用以快速对行驶过程中路面状况的变化做出反应。然而，电力应用却存在难以处理的问题。混合动力车，同时具有汽油发动机与电动发动机，电池在汽车减速或刹车时通过动能转化而充电，但这需要投入较普通车更多的引擎管理。带插头接点的混合动力车虽然能通过电源充电，并拥有更长的电动行驶时间，但引擎的智能化管理更加繁琐。
