The electric turbocharger – the most important facts at a glance

The discussions about the electric turbocharger are piling up and more and more he gets into the focus of the public. But in the following we would like to explain in detail whether it is really worth it and for which vehicle owners it makes sense.

Overall, it can be summarized that an electric turbocharger can ensure better combustion and, in one case or another, reduce exhaust gases. In addition, the electric turbocharger also reduces fuel consumption by up to 10 percent.

Doesn't that make it clear that this system would be a real asset for every vehicle owner? Or are opinions divided here? In the following we want to go into more detail about the electric turbocharger and answer some unanswered questions.

The actual function of the electric turbocharger

How exactly does an electric turbocharger actually work? How can we expect improved combustion, as well as reduced emissions and fuel consumption? The design here is such that an e-machine is simply added to a conventional turbocharger. So if the speeds are rather low, the turbo becomes a compressor. It doesn't matter whether it's a petrol or diesel engine, because the electric turbocharger can be used with injectors or carburetors, as well as with turbo or with naturally aspirated engines. If the right electric turbocharger is installed in the car, this results in better torque in the lower speed range of the car. This in turn leads to rapid acceptance of the gas. This means that an e-turbocharger can quickly generate up to twenty additional horsepower at low or medium engine speeds. It is very important here that the said system is installed exactly according to the instructions. Any experiments should be avoided here.

Advantages of the e-turbocharger

One of the advantages of the e-turbocharger is that the cooling of the intake air can be optimized here. Since cold air is richer in oxygen than warm air, better combustion is guaranteed. This results in better combustion, but a reduction in exhaust gases is also one of the advantages. Added to this is a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 10 percent. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that the driver's driving style also plays a large part in determining how much fuel is actually consumed.

Is the electric turbocharger universally usable?

If you have decided to buy a turbocharger, you can find out about a product from the dealers' range that can be used universally and will definitely deliver high performance in the medium and low speed range. After installing the e-turbocharger, your vehicle's engine should run smoothly and without malfunctions.

If you have decided on a special electric turbocharger, you should find out in advance whether this product is also suitable for the vehicle model that you own. In general, you will find systems in the range of dealers that are suitable for both diesel and petrol engines. In any case, you should make sure to install the e-turbocharger in front of the air filter box or in front of the air flow meter. Here, however, we would like to give you a recommendation: You should find out beforehand what the engine will consume in terms of intake air when maximum speeds have been reached and the turbocharger has not yet been installed. Because the maximum value of the e-system should of course exceed this value, otherwise you can expect that the e-turbo will even have negative consequences. In addition, a professional should take care of setting the vehicle's software to recognize that more intake air can be used after installation.

Aside from all these tips, there is one thing to keep in mind: if you're looking to buy an e-turbocharger, don't skimp on the money here. Decide on the product that offers the best quality and is manufactured by renowned manufacturers.

Are there any arguments that speak against the electric turbocharger?

Of course, there are also voices that tend to speak against the installation of an electric turbocharger. It is undisputed that an electric turbocharger has an extremely high power requirement. Of course, this is accompanied by quite high power consumption. That's why today there are experts who think it would make more sense to do without an electric turbocharger altogether and simply mount the electric motor directly in the exhaust gas turbocharger between the compressor and the turbine. However, there is a catch here: because of course this system does not yet have reliable durability against high temperatures.

What is the future use of electric turbochargers?

Discussions about the electric turbocharger are increasing and the pros and cons are being weighed more and more against each other. There are rumors that mass production of the electric turbochargers is even planned from 2022. The automotive suppliers do not provide any precise information on the major customers here, but according to reliable sources, the manufacture of the electric turbochargers is said to be one of the largest contracts in the automotive industry. Initially, however, the system will only be installed in passenger cars, but soon it will also optimize commercial vehicle models.

The conclusion and a tip from CarTipsandmore

Overall, it can be said that the electric turbocharger combines two technologies. An e-machine is added to the conventional turbocharger. Thus, at lower speeds, the turbo becomes a compressor. When used correctly, the size of the battery can even be reduced, which in turn results in a reduction in weight and, accordingly, in a reduction in fuel consumption. Since almost all of today's modern engines experience performance optimization through supercharging, we can expect that the electric turbocharger will become more and more popular in the near future. In any case, when retrofitting, attention should always be paid to the quality of the unit. CarTipsandmore recommends that you only buy from reliable dealers who have made a name for themselves for their competence and reliability. If you do not yet have any experience in terms of assembly and disassembly, you should contact specialists in a workshop when buying the electric turbocharger, who will help you with the selection and also with the assembly. This leads to a result that you will be satisfied with.