The largest factor
that has perhaps instigated the research and introduction
of hybrid vehicles is the concerns for increasing
air pollution in our global environment. It is
estimated that as much as 80 percent of the air
pollution is caused from the emissions from vehicles,
a phenomenon commonly observed in metropolitan
cities around the world. One way of reducing air
pollution, as well as emission of harmful gases
is the introduction of hybrid vehicles, using
dual technologies of gas and electricity. Though
researches have also been made in the fuel-cell
powered system of battery which make of electricity
as the principle source of power, yet the use
of dual powers of gas and electricity have more
than proved their success.
A Brief on the Working of the Hybrid
Vehicles
A brief into the hybrid range of vehicles reveals
that they are driven by two power sources or propulsions
systems. One is the commonly used internal combustion
system, which uses gas as the primary source of
power. While the second power sources is the electric
motors. A simple working of the hybrid vehicles
that the present day breed of majority of vehicles
are run or operated through an internal combustion
engine. As this internal combustion engine runs,
the electric batteries of the same vehicle are
charged. Once these electric batteries are charged,
they assist to power the vehicle, in turn taking
off some of the load from the engine. In addition,
the efficiency of the engine of the vehicle is
also increased, and there are savings of gasoline.
This is aside from the primary objective of reduction
of harmful emissions. Thus, one may observe that
the introduction of hybrid vehicles using both
the gasoline powered engine, as well as electric
power as a secondary source have proven to be
more efficient than either of the internal combustion
engine or the electric motor run by itself only.
Thus, one may observe that hybrid range of vehicles
incorporate a conventional gasoline or diesel
engine in addition to an electric motor and a
set of batteries. The batteries can be operated
on both a parallel as well as the series version.
In the parallel version, both the gasoline and
diesel engine as well as the electric motor is
utilized to provide for the vehicle. While, in
the series version, the gasoline or diesel powered
engine is directly connected to the motor or generator
that generates the required power for the running
of the electric motor, as well as for the purpose
of recharging batteries.
Advantages of the Hybrid Vehicles - The
Competitive Edge
One of the first advantages observed in the
range of hybrid vehicles using dual system of
power is the competitive edge enjoyed by the first
group, that of the hybrid vehicles. For example
a statistics o the number of electric vehicles
present across the globe is approximately 10,000
vehicles with Europe enjoying the largest share
with some 60 percent of entire global market for
electric vehicles. Majority of these electric
vehicles is first generation, low-performance,
modified conventional small cars.
In addition the electric powered vehicles present
in the global market are either manufactured in
a semi-craft industry, preferably in small manufacturing
lines, or made as prototypes by conventional vehicle
manufacturers. Majority of the electric powered
vehicles is in Europe, in particular France and
Germany where private users exceed those from
the public sector. While in Italy, the public
sector has the larger segment of electric powered
vehicles, a trend that is predicted to change
in favor of the United States of America and Japan
in the near future.
In direct contrast, and to the advantage of hybrid
vehicles, those powered by dual systems of gasoline
and electric have a strong leverage as they are
manufactured on the same traditional manufacturing
lines, which are producing millions of cars every
year. Yet, they only require slight modifications
to bring out vehicles by adding electric motor
systems in the existing gasoline powered vehicles.
The Power As an Advantage
In the hybrid range of vehicles, one of the
strongest advantages enjoyed is the power of the
fossil fuels, which is found in either of the
gasoline and diesel engines. The combustion created
by the power of either gasoline and diesel results
in producing extremely high amounts of horsepower,
rarely found in the electric powered only vehicles.
An insight into the fuel consumption of hybrid
vehicle show that there are a number of different
methods utilized by vehicle manufacturers, each
designed to derive a different set of objectives.
Yet the common aspect is that each vehicle manufacturer
utilizes the best set of features of both the
internal combustion engine and that of an electric
motor.
For example the hybrid vehicles utilize the traditional
combustion engine system, and at the same time
convert energy which may otherwise be wasted such
as during periods of coasting and braking. The
conversion of the energy produced by the combustion
engine into electric motor is stored in a battery,
till such time when the latter is needed. The
utility of the electric motor is best observed
in vehicles when there is a need for climbing
a hill for example, high acceleration, as well
as in driving conditions where there is no need
for high acceleration or power. A few vehicles
in the present day breed of hybrid vehicles are
duly equipped automatic shut off systems when
the vehicle is either in a stationary condition,
and restarts with the press of the accelerator.
This is perhaps one of the most optimal utilization
of the dual power systems of hybrid vehicles as
it not only saves on the fuel consumption, the
same also serves to act as a significant reducer
of emissions. Yet, an another modification that
has been added to the new breed of hybrid vehicles
is the self-charging electric motors installed
within the vehicles. These type of electric motors
do not require the assistance of an external source
of electric power to charge them, instead they
are simply charged by the existing conventional
gasoline and regenerative braking system in the
same vehicle. (Riley, 2004)
Efficiency Used as An Advantage
Another element that has increasingly been used
by vehicles manufacturers the world over, in particular
those housed in Europe that diesel-electric hybrid
vehicles too can serve to solve the environmental
issues as well as have proven their efficiency
as compared to all electric or all gasoline-powered
engines.
The Japanese giant, and perhaps the second largest
vehicle manufacturer in the world, Toyota is first
amongst the vehicle manufacturers to come up with
plans to manufacture diesel-hybrid, as well as
develop hybrid systems that can be equally utilized
for gasoline, diesel, natural gas as well as fuel
cells. Examples of Toyota models, which have already
been introduced, include Toyota Prius, Toyota
Lexus R 400h, Highlander and Camry hybrids. Other
models incorporating Toyota’s technology
include the Ford Escape Hybrid and the upcoming
Nissan Altima Hybrid.
The developments and the range of models introduced
by Toyota have made this Japanese giant an instant
leader in hybrid development, and rightly so as
the company has been reported to have invested
millions of dollars in both the first generation
as well as the second generation hybrid vehicle,
such as the Prius as already mentioned in the
preceding paragraph. The fact that Toyota has
licensed its technology to the American Ford and
the Nissan company speaks well of the stronghold
and popularity enjoyed by Toyota in hybrid technology.
For Nissan and Ford, it is better to join than
to remain behind in the race for hybrid technology.
In similar context, are yet another Japanese manufacturers
Honda, which have come with models such as the
Honda's Insight, Civic Hybrid and the new Accord
Hybrid. (Hoffman, 2004)
Summary of Advantages of Hybrid Vehicles
A summary of the various advantages shows that,
though there is a significant reduction in the
harmful emission, savings on fuel, yet the greatest
advantage is found in the operation of the vehicle
in low speed and the enhanced efficiency, similar
to that of a pure electric vehicle. At the same
time, a hybrid vehicle enjoys the benefits of
conventional vehicle, as the technology may be
incorporated in a passenger car, city buses, as
well as delivery trucks. In addition, the hybrid
technology is also termed as 'step-out' technology,
as it does not require a complete change over.
Nor does it demand a totally different concept,
as it relies on the existing features with slight
additions to make it a hybrid version. From the
marketing perspective too, this 'step-out' technology
serves as an excellent leverage, as the changes
so introduced are gradual and at the same time,
the risks of major technical problems only few.
This is aside from the savings of an otherwise
huge and costly infrastructure that would be required
if a totally new concept and design were introduced.
The hybrid vehicle requires no such concept. Perhaps
the greatest advantage is the positive and healthy
impact on the environment as the hybrid vehicles
will be able to use practically all the advanced
fuels including ethanol, bio-diesel, and natural
gas. In doing so, the hybrid vehicles will reduce
noxious pollution’s, emissions of greenhouses
gases, aside from the tremendous savings in terms
of energy and costs.
References
Hoffman, T., Toyota Considering Making Diesel-Electric
Hybrid Vehicles, 2004 http://www.auto123.com/en/info/news/news,view.spy?artid=27614&pg=3
Unknown author, Hybrid Vehicles Combine Electric
and Internal Combustion Motors, accessed on 11.03.2004,
and available at
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/edu_k-12/9-12/fc_energy/hybrids_intro.html
Riley, R.Q., An Overview Of The Benefits, Challenges,
And Technologies.
Additional Readings
Lemon, R., Why Electric Vehicles?, accessed on
11.3.2004
http://home.att.net/~NCSDCA/EVAoSD/whyev.htm
Unknown author, Electric and hybrid vehicles
– Introduction
Introduction to the technology, accessed on 11.3.2004
http://www.gm.com/company/gmability/edu_k-12/9-12/fc_energy/hybrids_intro.html
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