INTRODUCTION

y Hybrid technology refers to the technology used in hybrid cars . A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle. The term most commonly refers to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors. y The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional or better performance. A variety of types of HEV exist, and the degree to which they function as EVs varies as well. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, although hybrid electric trucks (pickups and tractors) and buses also exist.

History
y In 1900, while employed at Lohner Coach Factory, Ferdinand Porsche developed the Mixte a 4WD serieshybrid version of "System Lohner-Porsche". y The Mixte included a pair of generators driven by 2.5-hp Daimler IC engines to extend operating range and it could travel nearly 40 miles on battery alone and it was presented in the Paris Auto Show in 1901. The Mixte broke several Austrian speed records, and also won the Exelberg Rally in 1901 with Porsche himself driving. y The Mixte used a gasoline engine powering a generator, which in turn powered electric hub motors, with a small battery pack for reliability. It had a top speed of 50 km/h and a power of 5.22 kW during 20 minutes.

HISTORY contd .....

y George Fischer sold hybrid buses to

Fig. 1 The Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid was the first gasolineelectric hybrid automobile.

England in 1901; Knight Neftal produced a racing hybrid in 1902. In 1905, H. Piper filed a US patent application for a hybrid vehicle. y The 1915 Dual Power, made by the Woods Motor Vehicle electric car maker, had a four-cylinder ICE and an electric motor. Below 24 km/h the electric motor alone drove the vehicle, drawing power from a battery pack, and above this speed the "main" engine cut in to take the car up to its 56 km/h top speed. About 600 were made up to 1918.

A. Predecessors of current technology

y A more recent working prototype of the HEV was built

by Victor Wouk . Wouk's work with HEVs in the 1960s and 1970s earned him the title as the "Godfather of the Hybrid . y The regenerative braking system, the core design concept of most production HEVs, was developed by electrical engineer David Arthurs around 1978, using off-the shelf components and an Opel GT. y The vehicle exhibited 32 kmpl fuel efficiency.

y In 1989, Audi produced its first iteration of the Audi Duo (the Audi C3 100 Avant Duo) experimental vehicle, a plugin parallel hybrid based on the Audi 100 Avant. y The intent was to produce a vehicle which could operate on the engine in the country, and electric mode in the city. Mode of operation could be selected by the driver.

Fig. 2 Picture showing components of a hybrid car

TECHNOLOGY
y In 2007, several automobile manufacturers announced that future vehicles will use aspects of hybrid electric technology to reduce fuel consumption without the use of the hybrid drivetrain. Regenerative braking can be used to recapture energy and stored to power electrical accessories, such as air conditioning. y Shutting down the engine at idle can also be used to reduce fuel consumption and reduce emissions without the addition of a hybrid drivetrain. In both cases, some of the advantages of hybrid electric technology are gained while additional cost and weight may be limited to the addition of larger batteries and starter motors. There is no standard terminology for such vehicles, although they may be termed mild hybrids.

Engines and fuel sources

generation. Diesels have advantages when delivering constant power for long periods of time, suffering less wear while operating at higher efficiency. The diesel engine's high torque, combined with hybrid technology, may offer substantially improved mileage. y Most diesel vehicles can use 100% pure biofuels (biodiesel), so they can use but do not need petroleum at all for fuel (although mixes of biofuel and petroleum are more common, and petroleum may be needed for lubrication). y If diesel-electric HEVs were in use, this benefit would likely also apply. Diesel-electric hybrid drivetrains have begun to appear in commercial vehicles (particularly buses); as of 2007, no light duty diesel-electric hybrid passenger cars are currently available, although prototypes exist

Diesel: Diesel-electric HEVs use a diesel engine for power

y At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009 both Mercedes and BMW displayed diesel-electric hybrids.

Hydrogen: Hydrogen can be used in cars in two ways:

As a combustible heat source, or as a source of electrons for an electric motor. The burning of hydrogen is not being developed in practical terms; it is the hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle (HFEV)that is garnering all the attention. Hydrogen fuel cells create electricity that is fed into an electric motor to drives the wheels. Hydrogen is not burned, but it is consumed. This means that molecular hydrogen, H2, is combined with oxygen to form water. 2H2 (4e-) + O2 --> 2H2O (4e-).

y The molecular hydrogen and oxygen's mutual affinity

drives the fuel cell to separate the electrons from the hydrogen, to y use them to power the electric motor, and to return them to the ionized water molecules that were formed when the electron-depleted hydrogen combined with the oxygen in the fuel cell. Recalling that a hydrogen atom is nothing more than a proton and an electron; in essence, the motor is driven by the proton's atomic attraction to the oxygen nucleus, and the electron's attraction to the ionized water molecule.

there are two electrical machines, one of which functions as a motor primarily, and the other functions as a generator primarily. Most of the electric machines used in hybrid vehicles are brushless DC motors . Specifically, they are of a type called an interior permanent magnet machine . These machines are wound similarly to the induction motors found in a typical home, but use very strong rare earth magnets in the rotor. These magnets contain neodymium, iron and boron, and are therefore called Neodymium magnets. The magnet material is expensive, and its cost is one of the limiting factors in the use of these machines.

Electric machines: In split path vehicles

Hy ri

el (

e)
t f els a l, r er f el r aste a er

y Flexi le-f el ve icles ca

se a ixt re f i ixe i e ta ty ically as li e a et et a l, r i ta l. y e ve icles ave ee ifie t se a t s rce if it is availa le, s c as cars ifie t iesels ifie t r a t as ( G) a ve eta le il t at as t ee r cesse i t i iesel. y e electric tr lley ses ca s itc et ee ar iesel e i e a ver ea electrical e e i c iti s .

HYB

I VEHI LE P WE T AI FI ATI S

In a parallel hybrid the single electric motor and the internal combustion engine are installed so that they can both individually or together power the vehicle. In contrast to the power split configuration typically only one electric motor is installed. Most commonly the internal combustion engine, the electric motor and gear box are coupled by automatically controlled clutches. y For electric driving the clutch between the internal combustion engine is open while the clutch to the gear box is engaged. While in combustion mode the engine and motor run at the same speed. The first mass production parallel hybrid is the Honda Insight.

Parallel hybrid :

Power-Split Series-Parallel Hybrid : In a power-

split hybrid electric drive train there are two motors: an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The power from these two motors can be shared to drive the wheels via a power-splitter, which is a simple planetary gear set. y The ratio can be from 0-100% for the combustion engine, or 0-100% for the electric motor, or an anything in between, such as, 40% for the electric motor and 60% for the combustion engine. The electric motor can act as a generator charging the batteries y On the open road, the primary power source is the internal combustion engine, when maximum power is required, for example to overtake, the electric motors are used to assist maximizing the available power for a short period, giving the effect of having a larger engine than actually installed.

Series-Hybrid: Series-hybrid vehicles are driven by

the electric motor with no mechanical connection to the engine. Instead there is an engine tuned for running a generator when the battery pack energy supply isn't sufficient for demands. y This arrangement is not new being common in dieselelectric locomotives and ships. y This arrangement was sometimes referred to as an electric transmission, as the electric generator and driving motor replaced a mechanical transmission. The vehicle could not move unless the internal combustion engine was running. y The setup has never proved to be suitable for production cars, however it is currently being revisited by several manufacturers

Plug-in hybrid electrical vehicle (PHEV)

Another subtype added to the hybrid market is the Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The PHEV is usually a general fuel-electric (parallel or serial) hybrid with increased energy storage capacity (usually Li-ion batteries). It may be connected to mains electricity supply at the end of the journey to avoid charging using the on-board internal combustion engine. y This concept is attractive to those seeking to minimize on-road emissions by avoiding or at least minimizing the use of ICE during daily driving. As with pure electric vehicles, the total emission saving, for example in CO2 terms, is dependent upon the energy source of the electricity generating company.
y

EN

IRONMENT L ISSUES

Fuel consumption and emission reductions

y These savings are primarily achieved by three elements of a typical hybrid design: y Relying on both the engine and the electric motors for peak power needs, resulting in a smaller engine sized more for average usage rather than peak power usage. A smaller engine can have less internal losses and lower weight. y Having significant battery storage capacity to store and reuse recaptured energy, especially in stop-and-go traffic. y Recapturing significant amounts of energy during braking that are normally wasted as heat. This regenerative braking reduces vehicle speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into electricity, depending upon the power rating of the motor/generator.

y Improving aerodynamics . Improving the shape and aerodynamics of a car is a good way to help better the fuel economy and also improve handling at the same time. y Using low rolling resistance tires . Tires cause mechanical drag, once again making the engine work harder, consuming more fuel. Hybrid cars may use special tires that are more inflated than regular tires and stiffer or by choice of carcass structure and rubber compound have lower rolling resistance while retaining acceptable grip, and so improving fuel economy whatever the power source. y Powering the a/c, power steering, and other auxiliary pumps electrically as and when needed; this reduces mechanical losses when compared with driving them continuously with traditional engine belts.

Hybrid Vehicle Emissions: Hybrid Vehicle emissions today

are getting close to or even lower than the recommended level set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). y The recommended levels they suggest for a typical passenger vehicle should be equated to 5.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The three most popular hybrid vehicles, Honda Civic, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, set the standards even higher by producing 4.1, 3.5, and 3.5 tons showing a major improvement in carbon dioxide emissions. y Hybrid vehicles can reduce air emissions of smog-forming pollutants by up to 90% and cut carbon dioxide emissions in half. y Based on the average driving habits of an individual, pollution of these vehicles can be reduced anywhere between 25% to 90%, when you compare them to an everyday gas-powered vehicle.

Environmental impact of hybrid car battery :

y Though hybrid cars consume less petroleum than conventional cars, there is still an issue regarding the environmental damage of the Hybrid car battery. Today most Hybrid car batteries are one of two types: (1) nickel metal hydride, or (2) lithium ion; both are regarded as more environmentally friendly than lead-based batteries which constitute the bulk of car batteries today. There are many types of batteries. y Some are far more toxic than others. While batteries like lead acid or nickel cadmium are incredibly bad for the environment, the toxicity levels and environmental impact of nickel metal hydride batteries the type currently used in hybrids are much lower. Nickel-based batteries are known carcinogens, and have been shown to cause a variety of teratogenic effects

y The Lithium-ion battery has attracted attention due to its potential for use in hybrid electric vehicles. y Additionally, use of lithium-ion batteries reduces the overall weight of the vehicle and also achieves improved fuel economy of 30% better than gasoline-powered vehicles with a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions helping to prevent global warming. y In an environment where motor vehicle requirements including lower exhaust emissions and better fuel economy are prevalent, it is anticipated that the practical use of hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles will continue to increase. The lithium-ion batteries are appealing because they have the highest energy density of any rechargeable batteries and can produce a voltage more than three times that of nickel-metal hydride battery cell while simultaneously storing large quantities of electricity as well.

FUTURE OF HY RIDS
y In the near future hybrid batteries

are going to be one of the biggest areas of hybrid vehicle development. Currently, hybrid vehicles utilize NiMH battery technology, but it appears that the future will almost certainly be dominated by Lithium-ion batteries. y In a decade or less, it isn't inconceivable to imagine hybrid batteries that are two or three times as efficient as today's batteries, but half as heavy and half as expensive.

Chevrolet Volt is concept hybrid car and cars like it will be seen on streets in the near future .

Future of hybrids contd ....

y With a mindset of grasping and

expanding the propulsion features that are somewhat limited in today's hybrid car designs, there are retro styling efforts that are focusing on providing hybrid cars with optional V8 engine capacities. There are considerations in place to use solar cells in the framework of hybrid automobiles. y The future hybrid car will need to focus more on greenhouse gases that negatively effect the environment as well as a hybrid car that will be even more fuel efficient

CONCLUSIONS
To conclude, though hybrids have drawbacks like pricing higher than their fuel counterparts, risk of getting exposed to high voltage wires in an event of an unfortunate accident, lower acceleration than their fuel counterparts etc, its still a better and highly efficient green technology that cuts emissions by 25 50 %. Future hybrids are expected to achieve even better fuel economy and thus reducing emissions. The batteries are more eco-friendly than the conventional batteries. Plug-in hybrids are expected to take a huge part of hybrid car s drivetrain. With automotive manufacturers building V8 type hybrid sport engines low acceleration can no longer be a disadvantage. As vehicle emissions are a major source of air pollution every single step we take to reduce it worth taking. So from now on let s go hybrid!!

REFERENCES
y y y y y y y y y y y y y y

Dunn, Philip. Hybrid Cars-- Pros and Cons. 2006 Friedman, Naomi. The Hype on Hybrid Cars. 23 February 2009 Weed, Geoffrey. Hybrid Cars Positive Effect on Environment. Hybridcenter.org. Hybrids Under the Hood (Part 2): Drivetrains Japan Hybrid Sales Bypass US. hybridCars.com. History of Hybrid Vehicles. HybridCars.com. Lawrence Ulrich (2010-04-01). Amid Signs of Spring, Hints of Green. New York Times. Makiko Kitamura and Yuki Hagiwara (2010-03-18). Honda Plans Lithium-Ion Civic to Narrow Toyota s Lead (Update1). Bloomberg Business Week. Hybrids Running on E85 Ethanol Fuel: 5 Things to Know. GreenCar.com. Electric cars and noise: The sound of silence. The Economist. http://www.motortrend.com/features/editorial/112_0901_flying_hybrids_technologue/in dex.html California Cars Initiative. All About Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs). International Humanities Center. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_electric_vehicle

Queries