Hybrid Cars What is a hybrid Hybrid electric

Hybrid Cars

What is a hybrid? Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) include both a combustion engine as well as an electric motor. If we had better batteries, we would not need hybrids at all. Hybrids can be implemented in many kinds of vehicles.

Global-Warming: Still An Issue. Hybrids are not zero-emission vehicles. Will cut down emissions of global-warming pollutants by a third to a half. Later models may cut these emissions down by even more.

Why hybrids? Regenerative braking actually makes city driving more economical than on the highway. Fuel efficiency is greatly increased (twice). Emissions are greatly decreased. Dependency on fossils fuels can be decreased. Hybrids can be run on alternative fuels as well. New materials can be implemented.

EPA at work Federal guidelines for emissions: Ë Tier 1 took effect in 1997 Ë Tier 2 will phased-in beginning 2004. National LEV (NLEV): builds on the California Emissions Standards until Tier 2 is implemented. LEV II: California Emissions Standards.

ULEV/SULEV Tier 1, TLEV, ULEV, SULEV, ZEV. CARB: California Air Resources Board. CO 2 reductions not called for. Only HC, CO, NOx. Cars can be certified Low Emissions Vehicles but at the same time have high fuel consumption.

Reductions

Tax Incentives ‘The IRS has determined that purchasers of a new Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid or Toyota Prius are eligible for a "Clean-Fuel" vehicle tax deduction of $2, 000. The current incentive is scheduled to phase out in 2004 -06. ‘

Some EPA facts Every gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of CO 2 into the atmosphere. A 5 mpg difference in fuel economy equates to about 2, 800 pounds of CO 2 a year.

Tons of greenhouse gas NLEV program does not take CO 2 into account but let’s see some numbers: Ë Honda Insight: 3. 4 t/yr. Ë Honda Civic Hybrid: 3. 9 t/yr. Ë Toyota Prius: 4. 0 t/yr. Ë Ford Explorer: 11. 0 t/yr. Ë Honda Civic: 5. 7 t/yr. (calculated)

Honda Insight 2003 Cost: $19, 080/$21, 280 (MT/CVT) MT: manual transmission CVT: continuously variable transmission

Honda Insight 2003 Horsepower 67(65)@5700 or 73(71)@5700 (with IMA) Emissions Rating ULEV/SULEV Power Output 13 hp/10 k. W @ 3000 rpm Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Battery 144 V (120 cells @ 1. 2 V) Length 155. 1 inches Curb Weight 1847/(1878) or 1967 lbs. Mileage (City/Highway) 61/68 or 57/56 mpg Tank Capacity 10. 6 gal. 0 to 60 11. 3/11. 2 seconds IMA: integrated motor assist system

Honda Civic Hybrid 2003 Cost: $19, 550/$20, 550 (MT/CVT)

Honda Civic Hybrid 2003 Civic DX Auto $13, 010 Horsepower 85@5700 or 93@5700 (with IMA) 115@4500 Emissions Rating ULEV Power Output 13. 4 hp @ 4000 rpm Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni. MH) Battery 144 V (120 cells @ 1. 2 V) Length 174. 8 inches 174. 6 inches Curb Weight 2661/2732 lbs. 2500 lbs. Mileage (City/Highway) 51/46 or 48/47 mpg 29/38 mpg Tank Capacity 13. 2 gal 0 to 60 11 seconds 8. 4 seconds

Toyota Prius 2003 Cost: $20, 480 CVT

Toyota Prius 2003 Horsepower 70@4500 (98 HP combined) Emissions Rating SULEV Power Output 44 hp/33 k. W @ 1040 -5600 rpm Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Battery 273. 6 V (228 cells @ 1. 2 V) Length 169. 6 inches Curb Weight 2765 lbs. Mileage (City/Highway) 52/45 mpg Tank Capacity 11. 8 gal. 0 to 60 12. 7 seconds

A note about Ford I believe Ford is behind in the Hybrid world. The Hybrid Escape is due at the end of 2003 with 40/29 mpg as compared to 19/25 mpg. The Explorer: 239 HP, 4422 lbs. , gets 17/21 mpg, and has a 22. 5 gallon tank.

Tepper Fleet Consumption 33. 3 t/yr. CO 2 Could be reduced to less than half if all cars were hybrids. www. fueleconomy. gov

Cars to come GM: Chevy Pickup 2004, Chevy Suburban 2004. Daimler-Chrysler: Dodge Ram Pickup 2005, Mercedes S-Class 2006.