Have you ever been fascinated by the flying automobile in the futuristic cartoon strip -- The Jetsons -- ? Well, scientists have promised that this dream could well turn into reality sometime in the next millennium.
However, until then, man will have to suffice driving around on terra firma, in his trusted stead the conventional fossil fuel guzzling motorcar. Interestingly, though technological innovations, brought on by the dwindling supplies of fossil fuels the world over and global pollution, might well lead to some huge changes in the conventional motorcar, as we know it.
Long before the Environmental Pollution Control Board in India, even considered asking for a blanket ban on diesel vehicles for private use in the national capital region (NCR). It was the California Air Resources Board (CARB) which had promulgated low emission norms and then revised that regulation to that of a “Zero Emission Vehicle” to be on the states roads by 2010. With this date marked on the long-range calendar of every major global auto manufacturer, it is safe to assume they will continue introducing new environmentally sensitive vehicles and technologies.
A reflection of which, is the development of “Hybrid Electric Vehicles” (HEVs) by almost all the top manufacturers. “Hybrid” - the word stands for something of a mixed origin or composition. And quite like a hybrid plant or a hybrid word, automotive engineers have drawn on this concept to create some extraordinary vehicle that combine two innovative technologies. The outcome is the new generation of gasoline-electric hybrids.
Given that this hybrid innovation might well be the driving technology of the next decade. It becomes essential for us to try and understand the HEV. With this in mind, here is a list of some FAQs, which come to mind almost immediately.
There are many hybrid system concepts using fuel cells, gas turbines, diesel and lean burn gasoline engines in combination with batteries, and ultra capacitors. But no matter which concept is used, HEVs have several advantages over traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles such as:
HEVs can be operated using alternative fuels. Therefore, they need not be dependent on fossil fuels.Additionally, with two drive trains, that is, an ICE running on gasoline or alternative fuels and a battery-driven electric drive train, the HEV is able to operate approximately two times more efficiently than a traditional ICE vehicle. This is because the energy loss of an HEV is much less than that of a traditional ICE vehicle.
Why are car-makers developing HEVs and will these vehicles have performance characteristics equal to or better than the conventional vehicles?
Almost all major automobile manufacturers are working on HEVs because they feel that in the next decade there will be a market need for cleaner and more efficient vehicles. The car companies also know that a new vehicle that is not as good or better than the previous year’s vehicles will not sell.
So, obviously when they begin selling hybrids, performance of the HEVs will obviously be equal to or better than the conventional cars. Importantly, the electric drives possible in HEVs in the next few years also allows the potential for higher power drive systems and hence, HEVs are expected to meet or exceed current performance characteristics in all respects.
What stage of HEV development are the auto manufacturers currently in?
Each auto manufacturer has his own schedule for completing the development of a production feasible HEV. General Motors and Ford each initiated their sub-contracts with the United States Department Of Energy in 1994.
And the very first HEVs have already rolled out with Ford introducing the EV Ranger and the alternative fueled Taurus, while GM has uncovered the original GM Impact, which evolved into the EV1. Honda has unveiled the Insight, which is a lightweight personal coupe equipped with a high efficiency, lean-burn three cylinder VTEC gasoline engine and an integrated motor assist system to achieve exceptional fuel economy. Toyota has also blended a 1.5 litre gasoline engine and a powerful electric motor into the Toyota, Pirus. Volvo has an environmental concept car (ECC), while Mazda’s HR-X is also an environmental prototype. Flexible fueled automobiles from Volkswagen and alternative-fueled cars from Mitsubishi are also ready. Lastly, Chrysler and French car-maker Renault are also said to be working on some form of HEVs.
Which country has taken the lead in promoting the development of HEVs?
It is the USA which through governmental initiative has taken the lead in HEV development, through two very unique yet complementary programmes.
The Department of Energy HEV programme, is complementary to the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) Programme, which is essentially a broad-based partnership among several federal agencies and the automotive industry, for developing new technologies with the goal of creating advanced vehicles, but have the same level of comfort, safety and performance.
The PNGV programme also addresses other aspects of vehicle operation and development including aerodynamics, advanced lightweight materials, accessories, manufacturing technologies and other critical aspects.
In contrast, the HEV effort is more specifically focused, seeking to develop a hybrid propulsion system using existing technologies in the short term.
Is an HEV simply a transition vehicle between a conventional vehicle and a pure electric vehicle (EV)?
Negative. However, most experts agree that the car of the future, that has the same versatility as a conventional vehicle, will be an HEV of some kind. Largely because the energy generated by electric batteries will never equal that of liquid or gaseous fuels, necessitating that these fuels remain a critical part of future vehicles to maintain the driving range and quick refueling found in today’s conventional vehicles.
Even “fuel cells”, which are a promising long term technology for personal transportation, will most likely still be put in an HEV configuration with a high power energy storage/buffer device onboard.
Thus, rather than having only one propulsion system choice when buying a future vehicle, the consumer will be able to first select a vehicle and then choose whether he wants a conventional engine, batteries only, or an energy storage device (batteries, ultra capacitors, etc) and an hybrid propulsion unit like, turbine, diesel engine or the conventional internal combustion engine.
How much does the battery cost? How much is it worth?
Many EVs have been introduced with nickel or lithium-based batteries that improve the driving range significantly, compared to the range that the same vehicle could achieve with lead-acid batteries.
However, the current cost penalty of these batteries, (estimated at $50,000 - $100,000), implies that range improvement could cost the consumer almost $1000 - $2000 per mile.
Eventually though, the cost of these batteries may fall, but the HEV product planners will have to place the cost of range improvement in the context of what it is worth to the customer.
Are HEVs going to be as safe as today’s conventional vehicles?
Yes. HEVs will be manufactured using the same stringent rules, standards and restrictions as today’s conventional vehicles do. Of course, some modifications to the standard designs may have to be made for accommodating the propulsion systems, which will constitute different components (batteries, smaller internal combustion engines, controllers, etc.,). But, in terms of safety, there will be absolutely no compromises.