Hybrid Electric Vehicles

By Sara Dahill-Brown, Alicia Dooley,

Eve Gaus, Nathaniel Hill, Nick Kaloudis
and Kjell Von Snierden

The Problem
Transportation consumes 20% of US
energy and 20% of US CO2 emissions
Not sustainable for the next 50 years
I feel more confident than ever that the
power to save the planet rests with the
individual consumer.- Denis Hayes
Consumers can have a positive impact on
the environment

The Solution
HEVs and Fuel cell technology are

currently the leading solutions compatible

to sustainable development
Both have advantages and disadvantages
Barriers to fuel cell economy
Advantages to HEVs over current Internal
Combustion engines
The current disadvantages to HEVs

Fuel Cell Technology

Potential solutions to
both HEV and Fuel
Cell Technology
HEVs, for now, seem
to be the the more
applicable answer
Many barriers to
overcome with fuel
cell technology

Barriers to fuel cell technology

Availability
Production, especially in the
short run
Reduction of harmful emissions?
Expensive
Infrastructure problems

Advantages of HEVs

Use less oil than ICE

Emit less CO2 than ICE
Fuel efficiency increased
Honda Insight- 700 mi/tank
Toyota Prius- 500 mi/tank
Honda Civic Hybrid- 650 mi/tank

http://www.ott.doe.gov/hev/what.html

More Advantages

Less overall mass

Regenerative braking
Battery level
efficiency
Tax incentives
http://www.hybridcars
.com/how-hybrids-work
.html

HEV info.
Fuel
(estimate
d per
year)

Vehicle
emissions
(estimated
per year
in pounds)

Consumpti
on

Carbon
dioxide

Carbon
monoxide

2003 Honda
Civic Hybrid

263
Gal

5,089
lb

79.9 lb 0.8 lb 0.8 lb

2003 Honda
Civic

370 Gal 7,176

lb

(47.7 mpg, SULEV)

12,500 miles/yr

(33.8 mpg, ULEV)

12,500 miles/yr

135 lb

Nitrogen Hydro
oxides
carbons

7.4 lb 3 lb

Energy Loss

Disadvantages to HEVs

Maintenance
Towing capacity

Currently
Ford Escape Hybrid SUV 35mpg price

unannounced
http://www.fordvehicles.com/escapehybrid/home/index.as
p?bhcp=1
Toyota Prius $20,810 55mpg http://www.toyota.com/prius/
Honda Civic Hybrid $19,650 and 45 mpg
http://www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?
ModelName=Civic+Hybrid&bhcp=1
Insight Hybrid $19,180 65 mpg
http://www.hondacars.com/models/model_overview.asp?
ModelName=Insight

In the next 5 years

Growing demand
Greater market
Car companies will
respond
More variety

Conclusion
Air pollution is a
serious concern
Fallbacks to Fuel Cell
economy
In the short run HEVs
seem to be a viable
alternative