Electric turbo: work and benefits

An electric turbo, sometimes called electronic turbocharging, serves the same function as a traditional turbocharger. However, its compressor is not driven by a turbine and exhaust gases, but by an electric motor. This is a technology that is just emerging in our cars.

⚙️ How does an electric turbo work?

Un turbocharger more commonly called turbo, it increases engine power. It is used to improve combustion by increasing engine displacement, to further compress air and increase its efficiency.

For this, the turbocharger consists of turbine which drives the wheel compressorthe rotation of which allows the air supplied to the engine to be compressed before mixing with the fuel. The turbine rotation speed can reach 280 rpm.

However, the disadvantage of traditional turbocharging is the short response time at low speed, in particular when the exhaust gases do not have enough force to rotate the turbine.

Le electric turbo this is another type of turbocharger that is efficient even at low revs. It performs the same function but does not have a turbine. Its compressor is driven electric motorwhich the driver can operate manually.

The electric turbo can also be activated by pressing the accelerator pedal. When it is pressed all the way down, the switch engages the turbocharger.

Electric turbocharging is a technology that comes from Formula 1 and could soon be democratized in individual cars.

🚗 What are the advantages of electric turbocharging?

The goal of electric turbocharging is to combine the advantages of a smaller, faster turbo and a larger, more powerful turbo. He also wants to address their respective shortcomings, namely poor performance for a small turbo and slow response times for a second one.

While a traditional turbocharger is driven by exhaust gases that rotate a turbine, an electric turbocharger uses an electric motor. This allows him answer faster on demand of the accelerator, which means work even at low speeds.

Thus, the main advantage of electric turbocharging is its instant reply... Plus, the exhaust gases don't heat it up as much as a traditional turbo. Finally, the fact of getting power at low rpm also allows knock down consumption fuel as well as pollutant emissions.

However, electric turbocharging also has certain disadvantages, in particular with regard to the electricity it requires and which therefore has to be supplied by the alternator, which requires more. Its power consumption can reach 300 or even 400 amperes.

🔎 How to install an electric turbo?

Initially, the technology of electric turbocharging came from sports, in particular from Formula 1. However, some manufacturers are starting to use it on some of their cars, mainly sports ones. This is especially true Mercedes.

But it will be several years before we see the electric turbo begin to spread to cars. Until then, its installation remains very rare. However, this will be done in the same way as with a traditional turbocharger:

• Either the electric turbo will installed as standard or as an option for a new car upon purchase;
• Either it might be installed a posteriori professional.

Currently, manufacturers are still in the research and development stage. The first electric turbines are just appearing on our passenger cars. However, on the Internet you can already find an electric turbo engine for sale. Its installation is done on the air intake circuit.

💰 How much does an electric turbo cost?

A turbocharger is an expensive part: it is expensive to replace or install. from 800 to 3000 € depending on the engine and in particular its complexity. For an electric turbine, it is also necessary to calculate several hundred euros. The first electric turbocharger available on the market belongs to the American company Garrett.

That's all, you know everything about the electric turbo! As you can imagine, this is a new technology. Introduced a few years ago, the electric turbocharger is arriving in passenger cars and will soon equip more and more cars.