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PowerPedia:Powertrains

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For a directory listing, see Directory:Powertrains.

In a vehicle, the term drivetrain or powertrain refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, driveshafts, differentials, and the final drive (drive wheels, caterpillar track, propeller, etc.). Sometimes "powertrain" is used to refer to simply the engine and transmission, including the other components only if they are integral to the transmission.

A vehicle's driveline consists of the parts of the drivetrain excluding the engine and transmission. It is the portion of a vehicle, after the transmission, that changes depending on whether a vehicle is front wheel drive, four wheel drive, or rear wheel drive.

Table of contents

1 Broader definition

2 Hybrid powertrain and aftermarket kits

3 The right to choose an electric powertrain

4 See also

5 External links and references

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Broader definition

In a wider sense, the powertrain includes all components to transform chemical, physical or nuclear energy into secondary energy and deliver it to the interface to the outer world for propulsion purposes. This includes the utilisation of multiple power sources and non wheel based vehicles. From an energetic standpoint the weakest point is the first step: internal combustion engines have limitations regarding efficiency, but the "well to wheel" efficiency of alternative propulsion systems are not considered any better.Template:Fact This refers to fuel cells with additional reformer losses, electric vehicles powered from the grid with low hydraulic and renewable energy share and also vehicles using energy storage with high losses (some battery types, ultra- or supercaps).

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Hybrid powertrain and aftermarket kits

One can install conmarket or aftermarket powertrain in a vehicles to hybridise it. The conmarket solution is used when the user buys the hybrid powertrain to the automaker and recieves it installed in the car.

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The right to choose an electric powertrain

The right to choose powertrains is the right of the consumer to choose a (origanlly petroleum) vehicle with an electric powertrain with no additional costs (this is, without paying the petroleum engine and the installation of electric motor and batteries).

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