Otis Singleton
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are a popular choice for those seeking an efficient and eco-friendly mode of transportation. With both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor, HEVs offer the best of both worlds, combining traditional combustion engines with the latest in electric vehicle technology. While electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, they are not yet as common as hybrid vehicles, which currently dominate the market for efficient cars. This article will explore the different types of hybrid vehicles available, their benefits, and why they have become so popular.
Most Common Hybrid Electric Vehicle Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) |
| Engine | Gas-powered engine |
| Motor | Electric motor |
| Charging | Through regenerative braking and internal combustion engine |
| Fuel Economy | 37 mpg |
| Range | 1-2 miles on electric power alone |
| Plug Types | L2 chargers |
| Other Names | Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) |
| Examples | eAssist (General Motors), eTorque (Fiat/Chrysler), EQ Boost (Mercedes) |
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What You'll Learn
Mild hybrid systems
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) combine a gas-powered engine with an electric motor to drive the car. They are more expensive than similar conventional vehicles but can recover some of the extra cost through fuel savings or state incentives. HEVs can also be charged through regenerative braking, which recoups energy lost during braking to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.
MHEVs assist the engine during acceleration and help the car's stop-start system operate more smoothly. They use regenerative braking to harvest energy when the brakes are applied or when the car is coasting, converting this energy into electricity that is stored in a lithium-ion battery until it is needed. This stored energy can then provide extra assistance to the engine when accelerating. On average, a car with mild-hybrid technology can be around 15% more efficient than its conventional counterpart, with some carmakers claiming savings of up to 20%.
MHEVs are unable to run on electric power alone, and they cannot be plugged in to top up their batteries. Unlike full hybrids, which can travel short distances at low speeds on electric power, mild hybrids never operate as electric vehicles (EVs). Mild hybrids are mostly used to tackle exhaust emissions and take advantage of tax incentives calculated by the amount of CO2 emitted per kilometre.
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Full hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are now part of the mainstream, with most automakers offering at least one hybrid option. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor to drive the car. The electric motor supports the engine and is charged through regenerative braking, which recoups otherwise lost energy in braking to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration. In this way, HEVs achieve better fuel economy without sacrificing performance.
There are two main types of powertrains in full hybrid vehicles: Parallel hybrids and Series hybrids. Parallel hybrids are the most common type, as they can be powered in one of three ways: directly by the engine, directly by the electric motor, or by both systems working together. In a Series hybrid, the wheels are powered only by the electric motor, with the gasoline engine providing power for the electric motor, like a generator. The gasoline engine never powers the wheels. With advances in hybrid technology, some vehicles operate as a combination of the two (series-parallel hybrids), with the on-board computer system choosing the most efficient way to operate at any given time.
Full hybrids charge their battery system through energy from the gasoline engine as well as regenerative braking, in the same way as mild hybrid systems. Plug-in hybrids are similar to full hybrids but can travel much further using electric power alone.
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Plug-in hybrid vehicles
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. They cannot be plugged into an external power source and rely on regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine to charge.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are similar to HEVs but have a larger battery and can be plugged into the grid to recharge. They can also recharge their battery through regenerative braking. PHEVs can go anywhere from 10-40 miles before their gas engines kick in. Once the all-electric range is depleted, they act as regular hybrids and can travel several hundred miles on a tank of gasoline.
PHEVs can be charged using a standard 120V household outlet or a more powerful 240V outlet found at a public charging station. They generally have only a Level 2 max acceptance rate for charging. BMW, for example, offers a Flexible Fast Charger with its plug-in hybrid models, which includes a NEMA 5-15 adapter for charging at any 120V outlet.
Some of the PHEVs available in the US market include the Alfa Romeo Tonale, Audi Q5 55 TFSI e, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, and the Range Rover Sport.
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Series-parallel hybrids
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. They are more expensive than similar conventional vehicles but may recover some costs through fuel savings or state incentives. HEVs gain all their battery power through regenerative braking, which recaptures energy lost during braking to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.
The direct connection between the engine and the wheels in parallel drivetrains eliminates the inefficiency of converting mechanical power to electricity and back, increasing the efficiency of these hybrids on the highway. This makes them more efficient than series drivetrains at high speeds. However, this system is less efficient than series drivetrains in stop-and-go traffic, where gasoline and diesel engines are inefficient.
Examples of series-parallel hybrid vehicles include the Audi 100 Duo II and Subaru VIZIV concept cars, Peugeot 3008, Peugeot 508, 508 RXH, and Citroën DS5 (all using PSA's HYbrid4 system).
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Range extender hybrids
Range extender hybrid vehicles, also known as REEVs (Range-Extended Electric Vehicles) or REXs, are a type of hybrid vehicle that combines the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) and traditional gasoline-powered cars. They are designed to address the limited range of electric vehicles, which has been a major concern for drivers considering the switch to electric cars.
REEVs are equipped with a range extender, a small internal combustion engine that acts as a generator to charge the battery when it runs low on power. This technology allows electric cars to travel beyond their standard battery range, reducing "range anxiety" and making them a more practical option for long-distance travel. The range extender engine typically runs on gasoline, diesel, or natural gas, and it generates electricity to power the electric motors independently of the battery. This means that the vehicle's primary power source remains electricity, and the engine serves as an auxiliary power unit to extend the range when necessary.
It is important to distinguish REEVs from plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). While PHEVs have a smaller battery pack and rely on a gasoline engine for propulsion when the battery is depleted, REEVs feature a larger battery, and their engines are solely responsible for generating electricity to charge the battery. This distinction ensures that electricity remains the primary power source for REEVs, with the engine acting as a supplementary component.
The Tesla Cybertruck is currently the most notable vehicle available with a range extender. In the past, several other models were offered with range extenders, including the BMW i3 REx, BMW i8, Polestar 1, Cadillac ELR, and Chevrolet Volt. While the need for range extenders has diminished due to advancements in EV battery technology and the increasing availability of charging stations, they still present a viable option for those seeking extended range capabilities in their electric vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
Hybrid Electric Vehicles, or HEVs, have both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. The electric motor assists the gasoline engine during acceleration.
There are four main types of Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Mild Hybrids, Full Hybrids, Series Hybrids, and Plug-in Hybrids. Mild hybrids have a smaller electric component, while full hybrids can operate solely on electric power for some distance. Series hybrids are powered solely by the electric motor, with the gasoline engine providing power for the motor. Plug-in hybrids can be charged through regenerative braking and by plugging into the grid.
Electric Vehicles, or EVs, rely solely on electricity and require recharging, whereas Hybrids do not need recharging. EVs have zero emissions, while hybrids have lower emissions than traditional gas-only cars.
Some common examples of Mild Hybrid systems include eAssist (General Motors), eTorque (Fiat/Chrysler), and EQ Boost (Mercedes). There are currently over 50 models of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, or PHEVs, on the market, with more expected to be released in the coming years.
