Introduction:

What is a Hybrid Electric Car?  A hybrid electic/gas car is one that uses both stored gas and electricity.  As it drives, the battery recharges to further provide energy upon which the vehicle can run.

Why use a Hybrid Car? There are numerous advantages to hybrid cars.  For one a hybrid car causes less polution than purely gas-engine cars, while still performing at a level desirable to the driver of a car.  Hybrid Cars also help car owners save money on gas expense.
 

Discussion of Issues:

          Hybrid electric/gas cars allow many advantages, which are listed below.  The new vehicle satisfies the enviornmental and economic sectors of society.  They also may help to decrease our dependency on foriegn oil, which may end up being a huge advantage for the United States considering the uneasy situation in the Middle East.  The only real disadvantage of the new vehicles is that it cannot accelerate at the same rate as gas cars.

Advantages of Hybrid Electric Cars

•  The Hybrid Electric Car has lower emissions than purely gas-engine cars; therefore, it causes less pollution.

• The Hybrid Electric Car has regenerating brakes that save kenetic energy that would normally become wasted heat.

• By using two sources of energy, Hybrid Electric Cars have greater energy-efficiency allowing the owner to drive more miles before refueling

• When the Hybrid Electric Car obtains energy from a battery and gas tank, the battery re-charges while one drives; likewise, eliminating the task of re-charging one’s car overnight, which is a necessary chore of maintaining a purely electric car.

•  Compared to purely electric cars, the hybrid car that uses a battery and a gas tank has greater acceleration, and it also has a greater ability to take on heavy loads.

•  The Hybrid Electric Cars help car manufacturers to satisfy consumers seeking good cars while also reducing the negative impact that cars have had on the environment.  In other words, society’s economy can continue to flourish along with our natural environment.

•  For more extensive information please see the following sites:

http://www.hybridcars.com/;
http://mercury.sfsu.edu/~acurus/hybridadv.html;
http://www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm

Answers to Questions #1 and #2

#1)    In doing this website we learned about how hybrid cars work in a more in-depth manner.   We also learned that kenitic energy can be saved by new regernerative braking systems; the energy would normally be lost to heat.  We learned about the components in the hybrid electric cars and different types of the vehicle; to see more in-depth information, please see the sections below.  By doing this website, we realized the problems that arise among corporations, consumers, and those conserned with the natural enviornment.  The hybrid car provides a compromise among the three groups in that car manufacturers still sell cars that satisfy the customer, while at the same time minimizing the negative effects on the natural enviornment.

To view Daimler-Chrystler's vision of the new vehicle, see this site: http://www.ott.doe.gov/pdfs/dcxhev_factsheet.pdf.  We also learned about the actual scientific components in hybrid cars.

To view Honda's new mass-produced hybrid vehicle, click the following link: http://www.honda2001.com/models/insight/. This sight includes some statistics on the efficiency of the hybrid vehicle.

To view Toyota's energy conserving hybrid vehicle, view this page: http://prius.toyota.com.

 
Components of Hybrid Electric Cars
 

· Gasoline engine (1)-  These cars contain a gasoline engine much like the one you would find on any other automobile.  The difference, though, is that the one on the Hybrid car is much smaller and thus more efficient and better on emissions.  It uses far less energy than a bigger motor found on a traditional car.

· Fuel tank (5)-  The fuel tank is the energy storage source for the gasoline engine.  Gas has a much higher energy density than batteries do.

· Electric motor (3)-  The electric motor on a hybrid car is very sophisticated.  It is able to act as both a motor and a generator.  For example, when it needs to, it can draw energy from the batteries to accelerate the car.  But acting as a generator, it can slow the car down and return energy to the batteries.

· Generator-  The generator is similar to an electric motor, but it acts only to produce electrical power.  It is used mostly on series hybrids and is therefore not on the diagram below.

· Batteries (6)-  The batteries in a hybrid car are the energy storage device for the electric motor.  Unlike the gasoline in the fuel tank, which can only power the gasoline engine, the electric motor on a hybrid car can put energy into the batteries as well as draw energy to them.

· Transmission (2)-  The transmission on a hybrid car performs the same basic function as the transmission on a conventional car.  Some hybrids, like the Honda Insight, have traditional transmissions.

· Intelligent power electronics (4)-  Most hybrid cars are equipped with some type of electrical system that makes decisions like when to use the motor and engine and when to store electricity in the batteries.

In most cases, the engine and the electric motor are connected to the wheels by the same transmission.  Being assisted by the electric motor allows the engine to be much smaller.

Types of Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles are any vehicles combining two or more power sources.  There are several hybrid vehicles that are commonplace in society.  Mo-peds (motorized pedal bikes) are simple hybrid vehicles combining gasoline engine power with the rider’s pedal power.  Most train locomotives, as well as mining trucks, are diesel-electric hybrid vehicles, combining diesel engine power with electricity.  Many large cities have diesel-electric buses, with are powered by diesel gasoline and electric cables that run overhead the street.  Submarines are also hybrid vehicles.  Some are nuclear-electric and some are diesel electric.  The newest hybrid vehicle used in society is the gasoline-electric hybrid car, a cross between a gasoline engine powered car, and an electric powered car.
It is clear from these examples that there are many possible configurations for Hybrid Electric Vehicles.  A basic hybrid combines an energy storage system, a power unit, and a vehicle propulsion system.  Options for energy storage include batteries, ultra capacitors, and flywheels.  Batteries are by far the most common energy storage system, research is in other energy storage areas is being done.  Power unit options for hybrids include spark ignition engines, compression ignition direct injection engines, gas turbines, and fuel cells.  Propulsion can be supplied by an electric motor in a series configuration or by providing direct mechanical input to the vehicle propulsion system in a parallel configuration.
 
 
 
 

#2)    In the future, we predict that hybrid cars will have a prominent place in our society; in Japan, for example, the car has already become a hot item to purchase.  The car prices are comprable to prices of regular cars.  For example the Honda Insight costs about $18,000.  While this may not be cheap, prices will hopefully go down as the surplus increases.  Also, the car may help people to save money because of the lower gas expenses.  On the big picture, the hybrid electric car will also hopefully help decrease our dependency on foreign oil, which is especially important considering the current situation in the Middle East.  The government seems to support the car because of it's positive impact on the enviornment among other things.  This is evidenced by the fact that the government, at all levels, has provided less-servere taxes on the new car (to see more extensive information, go to this site: http://www.fleets.doe.gov/fleet_tool.cgi?$$,benefits,1).  Below is more extensive information dealing with the impact we feel hybrid electric vehicles will have in the future.
 
 
 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles in the Future

        HEV’s are now becoming a major focus in technological developments in transportation.  They are helping in reducing resource consumption and pollution.  HEV’s are also aiding in reducing dependence on foreign oil.  But HEV’s aren’t fully developed to their potential capacity yet.  The storage systems for these vehicles are not complete and the impact that this will have on the market is under debate.  Many major car companies already have Hybrid Electric Vehicle models for sale in the United States.  The Honda Insight and Toyota Prius are available and are proven to be great sellers in foreign countries such as Japan.  In the near future, other major companies plan on releasing Hybrid vehicles, Sport Utility Vehicles more specifically.  Ford plans on releasing a Hybrid model of its current SUV the Ford Escape in 2003.  Dodge will also be releasing the Hybrid model of the Durango in 2003 along with Toyota releasing its version of RAV4.  Hybrid models are also reaching into the family sedan models as Dodge will introduce the ESX 3 family sedan at an unknown date.

 In the distant future, it is anticipated that several advancements will be made with the hybrid system itself:

1. More Efficient Batteries- Batteries will improve in storing more energy but in a smaller size increasing their efficiency.  More efficient batteries will enhance the gas mileage of the vehicles and decreasing the cost of a source of power.  At some point it is hoped that all cars will run on electricity only.
2. More Powerful Electric Motors- It is hoped that electric engines will be able to replace internal combustion engines without a significant loss in power.  As of right now, hybrids rely on internal combustion engines for acceleration power, but with more technological developments of electric engines, internal combustion will become unnecessary.  Air pollution will be decreased with this addition.
 
 

           We hope this website helps the visitor gains useful information about the scientific concepts behind hybric electric/gas cars and the ways that we feel those concepts will affect society in the future.  We feel that hybrid electric/gas cars are tools to ease the transition from highly polluting gas cars to enviornment-friendly cars that perform to meet customer satisfaction.

Bibliography:

    This article talks about how companies such as Honda are beginning to produce Hybrid vehicles.  It also discusses where hybrid cars came from and how early they began being introduced.  The pro’s and con’s of Hybrid cars are discussed.  For instance, the speed and acceleration of hybrid cars compared to internal combustion engines are mentioned and how it is necessary that Hybrid technology improve for its sales to go up.
-Matt LeMonica
 
 

Office of Transportaion Technologies; Hybrid Electric Vehicle Program; <http://www.ott.doe.gov/hev/what.html>

    This article gives explains what hybrid electric cars are, why they should be used, the advantages of hybrid electric cars, types of hybrid electric cars, the predicted future of hybrid cars, and more in-depth links to fact sheets about hybrid electric cars.  The article informs the reader that the new hybrid electric car allows drivers to get better miles per gallon, while driving a high-performance vehicle.  It explains other various advantages that go along with the high-tech design that include regenerative braking that minimizes energy loss.  The article does not try to say exactly what will happen in the future to the new type of car, but it does mention the vast attention it has gotten and the incentives the federal government has made to promote the new hybrid electric cars to the public.
-Contributed by Dave Macklin
 
 

“Hail to the Hybrids. (Toyota Prius and Honda Insight)”  Mother Earth News.  October 2001.

 Toyota’s Prius and the Honda Insight are the most recently created hybrid electric cars.  Both vehicles are reasonably priced around $20,000 and come equipped with very generous incentives.  By combining a traditional gas powered engine and an electric motor, these two cars have the power of traditional cars but are friendly to both the environment and the wallet.  Neither will pull a boat but for those who do not want to spend much money on gas, one of these cars may be for you.
 The Prius is a fairly roomy four dour sedan.  It gets 45 miles to the gallon on the highway, which is nothing special, but a whopping 52 mpg in the city.  The reason is because in stop and go traffic, the innovative braking system recharges the batter.  However, the Toyota Prius is unusually hard to get right now.  The wait is often up to four months.
 The Honda Insight is a much different car.  Being only a two-seater, it may not appeal to too many people.  Amazingly, though, it does get 61 miles per gallon in the city and 68 miles per gallon on the highway.  It is its light weight that allows this car to be so efficient.  The Insight does lack interior and trunk space.
-Contributed by Jeff Zabor
 
 

Neil, Dan.  "Road Test: Honda Insight."  Car and Driver.  January 2000.
<http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2000/January/200001_roadtest_honda_insight.xml?Manufacturer=Honda&Name=Insight&class=20>

This article depicts the strengths and weaknesses of the newly mass-produced hybrid vehicle.  The Insight behaves pretty much like any conventional city car.  It is comfortable and well equipped, with standard power windows and steering, remote-keyless entry, anti-lock brakes, and optional air conditioning.  However, the real strength lies in the fact that Nonetheless, the Insight gets an Oscar in several categories.  It is the first of the cleanest (meets Ultra Low-Emission Vehicle standard and then some), most-fuel-efficient (61/70 city/highway, EPA mpg) gas-powered production vehicles in the world.  When the vehicle is coasting in gear or the brakes are applied, the IMA acts as a generator, capturing mechanical energy otherwise lost in engine or brake heat.
-Conributed by Danny Kwon

Maier, Timothy; Hybrid Cars Roll to Green Future; Insight on the News; June 11, 2001; <http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1571/22_17/75435148/print.jhtml>

This article points out how alternate fuel vehicles have come a very long way in recent years.  Only a few years ago, it was unheard of for a common citizen to picture himself in an alternate fuel vehicle.  This was because gas prices were at a 10-year low, and cars were ninety percent cleaner than three decades ago.  Since then, major advancements have been made in alternate fuel vehicles, increasing speed and power efficiency.  The fact that gas prices have recently inflated also leads people to look for other sources of power.  Due to the lack of gasoline, the government also is looking to help develop other possibilities.  Those hybrid cars on the market today are becoming so popular that there are waiting lists for all the money and resource saving buyers.
-Contributed by Chris Knoppe
 

U.S. Department of Energy; How do Hybrid Electric Vehicles Work?; <www.fueleconomy.gov>
 

Nice, Karim; How Hybrid Cars Work; Marhsall Brain's How Stuff Works; www.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car3.htm