Trystan Casey
Hybrid vehicles combine a gasoline engine, a battery, and an electric motor to save fuel and reduce tailpipe emissions. They use two different power sources: an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion, but the only fuel used is gasoline. The battery is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine, and the electric motor can delay the start of the gas engine, with the vehicle running on electricity at low speeds or under low power demands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power sources | Gasoline and electricity |
| Fuel tank | Gasoline |
| Engine | Internal combustion engine |
| Motor | Electric |
| Battery | Small, high-voltage |
| Charging | Not plugged in; charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine |
| Traction | Electric traction motor |
| Exhaust system | Three-way catalyst to reduce engine-out emissions |
| Transmission | Transfers mechanical power from the engine and/or electric traction motor to drive the wheels |
| Thermal system | Maintains a proper operating temperature range of the engine, electric motor, power electronics, and other components |
| Auxiliary battery | Provides electricity to start the car and powers vehicle accessories |
| DC/DC converter | Converts higher-voltage DC power from the traction battery pack to lower-voltage DC power to run vehicle accessories and recharge the auxiliary battery |
| Onboard charger | Converts incoming AC electricity to DC power for charging the traction battery |
| Energy recovery | Recovers braking energy to save fuel and increase MPG |
| Energy management | Includes an energy management controller to determine the optimal power split between onboard energy sources |
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What You'll Learn
Electric traction motor
An electric traction motor is an electric motor that propels a vehicle. The name "traction" comes from the Latin "trahere", meaning "to pull". In a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, the electric traction motor is powered by a traction battery pack. The motor then drives the vehicle's wheels.
Traction motors are used in a variety of electric vehicles, including electric hybrid vehicles, battery electric vehicles, and vehicles with electrical transmission systems. The first experimental electric traction motor tramway was developed in 1875 and was rapidly developed for international city use.
The DC motor was the mainstay of electric traction drives for many years. It consists of two parts: a rotating armature and fixed field windings surrounding the rotating armature, which is mounted around a shaft. The fixed field windings are made up of tightly wound coils of wire fitted inside the motor case. The armature is another set of coils wound around a central shaft and connected to the field windings through "brushes", which are spring-loaded contacts pressing against an extension of the armature called the commutator. The commutator collects the terminations of the armature coils and distributes them in a circular pattern to allow the correct sequence of current flow. When the armature and the field windings are connected in series, the whole motor is referred to as "series-wound".
AC induction motors and synchronous motors are simple and low maintenance but were difficult to apply to traction motors due to their fixed-speed characteristic. However, with the advent of power semiconductors, it became possible to fit a variable-frequency drive, allowing a wide range of speeds and the use of rugged induction motors without wearing parts.
In a hybrid electric vehicle, the electric traction motor is powered by the traction battery pack, which is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine. The electric motor can provide extra power, allowing for a smaller engine and better fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
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Exhaust system
Hybrid vehicles are powered by two different energy sources: an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. The internal combustion engine is spark-ignited, with fuel injected into either the intake manifold or the combustion chamber, where it is combined with air and ignited by a spark plug. The exhaust system channels the gases produced by this process out through the tailpipe.
A three-way catalyst is designed to reduce engine-out emissions within the exhaust system. Exhaust emissions from hybrid vehicles have been a key area of focus in the development of hybrid technology, with the aim of reducing emissions and providing fuel savings. The exhaust emission values of hybrid vehicles are dependent on the parameters of the engine's operation, such as the length of the journey and the share of urban and extra-urban cycles.
Tests have been carried out to measure the exhaust emissions of hybrid vehicles under actual operating conditions. These tests have shown that the engines of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) operate in different parameter ranges, resulting in different exhaust emission values. For example, for a route with a greater share of the urban cycle, the emission of NOx was lower for both BEVs and PHEVs, but the reduction was more significant for PHEVs.
Some hybrid vehicles, known as mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs), are powered by a combustion engine supported by an electric motor integrated into the drivetrain. The electric motor in MHEVs cannot power the vehicle on its own, but it assists the combustion engine in certain situations, such as when accelerating from a standstill or when extra boost acceleration is needed while driving. This allows for better fuel economy and reduced emissions without sacrificing performance.
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Fuel filler
Hybrid vehicles are powered by two different energy sources: an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. The internal combustion engine is fuelled by gasoline, which is stored in the fuel tank. The fuel tank is filled through the fuel filler, which is a receptacle on the vehicle that a nozzle from a fuel dispenser attaches to. The gasoline is stored in the tank until it is needed by the engine.
The fuel filler is an essential component of a hybrid vehicle as it allows the vehicle to be fuelled with gasoline. The gasoline engine works alongside the electric motor to provide power to the vehicle. The gasoline engine typically joins in at higher speeds, providing extra power and allowing for a smaller electric battery. The electric motor is powered by a battery, which can be charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine.
The fuel filler on a hybrid vehicle is similar to that of a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle. It is usually located on the rear quarter panel of the vehicle, near the rear bumper. The fuel filler cap is typically colour-coded to match the vehicle's body colour, and it may have a symbol or label indicating that the vehicle is a hybrid. The cap can be removed by hand, and when fuelling the vehicle, it is important not to overfill the tank to prevent gasoline spillage.
Some hybrid vehicles, known as plug-in hybrids, can also be recharged using a wall outlet or charging equipment in addition to regenerative braking. These vehicles typically run on electric power until the battery is nearly depleted and then automatically switch to the internal combustion engine. Plug-in hybrids offer increased flexibility and can be a good option for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, as they can be driven in all-electric mode for many day-to-day trips.
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Internal combustion engine
Hybrid vehicles are powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE) and one or more electric motors, which use energy stored in batteries. The internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is typically a spark-ignited engine, which combines air and fuel in the combustion chamber, with the spark from a spark plug providing the ignition. This type of engine is commonly found in cars and trucks and has been in use since the early 1800s.
The internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is usually smaller than in a conventional car, as the electric motor provides significant propulsion, particularly at low speeds. This combination of a smaller IC engine and a powerful electric motor improves fuel economy and reduces pollution. The IC engine is particularly useful at higher speeds, where it can utilise its optimal performance or "sweet spot".
The IC engine in a hybrid vehicle is also important as it can recharge the electric motor's batteries during operation or when the vehicle is stationary and plugged into an electric power source. This is a key advantage of hybrid vehicles over fully electric cars, as the ICE system can be refuelled quickly and does not require lengthy charging times.
The internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle works in conjunction with the electric motor to provide improved performance and efficiency. The IC engine's role in charging the batteries and providing power at higher speeds means it is an essential component of the hybrid powertrain, contributing to the vehicle's overall performance and reduced emissions.
Technological advancements are also being made to further optimise the internal combustion engine for hybrid powertrains, with the aim of improving efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions even further.
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Power electronics controller
Hybrid vehicles combine a gasoline engine, a battery, and an electric motor to save fuel and reduce tailpipe emissions. The power electronics controller is a critical component of a hybrid vehicle's operation, managing the flow of electrical energy from the traction battery pack to the electric traction motor. This controller ensures that the electric motor receives the precise amount of power required to drive the vehicle's wheels, optimizing performance and efficiency.
The power electronics controller plays a pivotal role in the hybrid system by regulating the speed and power output of the electric motor. It draws electricity from the traction battery pack, which stores high-voltage energy for propulsion. The controller then delivers this electrical energy to the electric motor, enabling it to turn the vehicle's wheels and propel it forward. This process is known as the drive function.
In some hybrid designs, the electric motor also serves a second purpose: regenerative braking. During this process, the power electronics controller directs the electric motor to act as a generator, converting the vehicle's kinetic energy back into electrical energy as it decelerates. This recovered energy is then stored in the battery pack for future use, contributing to the hybrid's fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The power electronics controller's role extends beyond the basic management of energy flow. It also communicates with other components of the hybrid system, such as the internal combustion engine, to determine the optimal power split between the gasoline engine and the electric motor at any given moment. This decision is influenced by factors such as driving conditions, battery charge level, and the driver's inputs.
Additionally, the power electronics controller contributes to the overall thermal management of the hybrid system. It ensures that the electric motor and other components operate within an appropriate temperature range, helping to maintain efficiency and prevent overheating. This is achieved through a thermal system that cools or dissipates excess heat, depending on the operating conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
A hybrid vehicle is a car or truck that uses two different power sources: a gasoline engine and an electric motor.
Hybrid vehicles combine a gas engine, a battery, and an electric motor to save fuel and reduce tailpipe emissions. The electric motor drives the car at low speeds or under low power demands. Once the vehicle uses up its electric range, it switches to gas and drives like a conventional car.
Hybrid vehicles capture and reuse braking energy that would otherwise be lost as heat and wear in the brakes. This recovered energy is used to save fuel and increase MPG.
