The Wankel engine is suited to be used to drive hybrid propulsion systems.
The main disadvantage of hybrid propulsion systems is the complexity that causes a high weight and large dimensions. For these reasons hybrid systems are more suitable for large size vehicle (buses, vans) rather than for small passenger cars.
A considerable reduction of hybrid systems weight and dimensions can be obtained using a Wankel rotary engine instead of a conventional engine. The Wankel engine is light, compact, simple, and produces low noise and low vibrations. Therefore a Wankel engine powered hybrid system is suited to be used on small cars.
In this paper a 1000 kg parallel hybrid car with continuously variable transmission and a 6000 kg series hybrid minibus both equipped with Wankel engines are considered. The Wankel engine works at steady state to minimize fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.
The simulation of the behaviour of these two vehicles during a ECE+EUDC test cycle is presented in order to evaluate the performances of the systems.