Electric Turbochargers Forecast To Boom For Gas-Mileage Gains

Carmakers are increasingly turning to downsized turbocharged engines as a way to increase fuel efficiency without compromising power output.

Now, a new technology promises to increase their efficiency even further.

Electric turbochargers offer added flexibility because they can produce more power at lower engine speeds--and they're receiving considerable attention.

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According to a recent Navigant Research blog post, electric turbochargers could be the "next big thing" in fuel efficiency.

Traditional turbochargers use exhaust gases to spin a turbine that drives more air into an engine's combustion chambers, but the exhaust has to reach a certain pressure for them to work effectively.

Waiting for a turbocharger to spool up produces a sensation of "turbo lag" that engineers have worked to eliminate since turbos entered widespread use.

The electric turbocharger cures this problem by using an electric motor to drive the turbine, allowing the turbo to spool up far more quickly.

This not only results in more responsive power delivery, but also allows for increased operation at lower engine speeds--increasing fuel efficiency.