Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

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Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Description

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle with batteries that can be recharged by connecting a plug to an electric power source. It shares the characteristics of both conventional hybrid electric vehicles and battery electric vehicles, having an internal combustion engine and batteries for power. Most PHEVs on the road today are passenger cars, but there are also PHEV versions of commercial passenger vans, utility trucks, school buses, motorcycles, scooters, and military vehicles. PHEVs are sometimes called grid-connected hybrids, gas-optional hybrids, or GO-HEVs.

The cost for electricity to power plug-in hybrids for all-electric operation in California has been estimated at less than one quarter of the cost of gasoline.[1] Compared to conventional vehicles, PHEVs can reduce air pollution and dependence on petroleum, and lessen greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Plug-in hybrids use no fossil fuel during their all-electric range if their batteries are charged from renewable energy sources. Other benefits include improved national energy security, fewer fill-ups at the filling station, the convenience of home recharging, opportunities to provide emergency backup power in the home, and vehicle to grid applications.[2]

As of January 2008, plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles are not yet in production. However, Toyota,[3] General Motors,[4] Ford,[5] Chinese automaker BYD Auto,[6] and California startups Fisker Automotive[7] and Aptera Motors[8] have announced their intention to introduce production PHEV automobiles. The PHEV-60 BYD F6e sedan is expected in the second half of 2008; the luxury Fisker Karma PHEV-50 sports car is slated for late 2009; and the Toyota Prius and GM's PHEV-40 Chevrolet Volt plug-ins are expected in 2010.[9][10] Conversion kits and services are available to convert production model hybrid vehicles to plug-ins.[11] Most PHEVs on the road in the U.S. are conversions of 2004 or later Toyota Prius models, which have had plug-in charging added and their electric-only range extended.

A plug-in hybrid's all-electric range is designated by PHEV-[miles] or PHEV[kilometers]km in which the number represents the distance the vehicle can travel on battery power alone. For example, a PHEV-20 can travel twenty miles without using its internal combustion engine, or about 32 kilometers, so it may also be designated as a PHEV32km.

Links to Journals and Articles

Title	Date	Source	Description	Link
GM, Toyota Doubtful on Fuel Cells' Mass Use	Mar 5, 2008	Wall Street Journal	Executives of General Motors and Toyota announce that they do not see their companies pursuing hydrogen fuel cell technology for future mass market vehicles. They do, however, forsee producing electric vehicles or PHEVs by 2010 with a 300 mile electric only range.	[1]
Race to Make Electric Cars Stalled by Battery Problems	Jan 11, 2008	Wall Street Journal	General Motors and Toyota announce their pursuit of electric only vehicles, with the current problems being range of vehicle and creating a small enough lithium ion battery without bursting into flames.	[2]
The 21st Century Electric Car	Update in Progress	Teslamotors.com	Paper on the Tesla Roadster. In the process of being updated	[3]
Advanced Batteries for Electric-Drive Vehicles A Technology and Cost-Effectiveness Assessment for Battery Electric Vehicles, Power Assist Hybrid Electric Vehicles, and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles	2004	EPRI	Discusses HEVs and PHEVs in terms of battery life and cost for Nickel metal Hydride batteries of different capacity.	[4]
How hybrid-electric vehicles are different from conventional vehicles: the effect of weight and power on fuel consumption	2007	IOP Publishing, Environmental Research Letters	Discusses the effects of weight on fuel consumption of current hybrid vehicles.	[5]

Other Useful Links

1. PSAT Website [6]

2. AVL ADVISOR Website [7]

3. Argonne National Lab Website [8]