Apparently satisfied that hybrid electric cars have become a practical choice for consumers and the wave of the future, both General Motors and Ford Motor Company have plans to roll out new hybrid automobiles in 2010 and 2012, according to an article by Scott Gates, “Plugging in, Hitting the Road,” published in the May 2010 issue of Texas Co-op Power magazine.
Current Hybrid Technology in the Automotive Industry
Current production hybrid electric cars feature a small fuel-efficient gas engine combined with an electric motor that assists the engine when accelerating. The electric motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while the hybrid vehicle is driven.
Today, there are two types of hybrid electric cars: the parallel hybrid and the series hybrid. As explained in the web article, “Hybrid Cars,“ found at EarthEasy.com, the parallel hybrid electric car has a gasoline engine and an electric motor that work together to propel the vehicle. Meanwhile, in the series hybrid car, a gasoline engine is utilized to either directly power the electric motor that runs the vehicle or charges batteries that provide power to the electric motor.
The wave of the future are new hybrid electric cars known as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). PHEVs take current hybrid technology a step further by using larger, more powerful lithium hybrid car batteries that can be recharged by plugging the vehicle into a standard household outlet. The vehicles designed to be powered by the batteries alone for short distances and small gasoline engines for trips of long distances.
Ongoing Hybrid Vehicle Research into Plug-in Hybrid Cars, Improved Batteries
According to Gates, in a project sponsored jointly by the Cooperative Research Network and the U.S. Department of Energy, thirteen electric providers in twelve states are currently testing the plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Current battery technology is the drag on the momentum of hybrid vehicle technology at present. It is hoped that the research being conducted will demonstrate that lithium batteries, similar to the type used in laptop computers, will be a feasible replacement for the nickel-metal hydride batteries now used and will help make plug-in battery powered electric hybrid cars a real option for consumers.
According to the results of a comprehensive study, published in a July 2007 National Resources Defense Council, press release, “EPRI-NRDC Report Finds Environmental Benefits of Deploying PHEVs,” widespread adoption of PHEVs in the United States could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by 450 million metric tons (equivalent to removing 82.5 million passenger cars from the nation’s roads) and reduce oil consumption by 3 to 4 million barrels per day by 2050.
New Hybrid Electric Cars Scheduled for Release
General Motors plans to stock dealerships with a new plug-in hybrid car in late 2010, when the Chevrolet Volt is released. The Volt, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for electric power, according to GM CEO Fritz Henderson, should get approximately 40 miles per charge and operate at an electricity cost of about 3 cents per mile.
Ford Motor Company, in the process overdeveloping its own PHEV fleet, has plans to release a plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012.
With the promises of improved air quality and lowered dependence on foreign oil, plug-in hybrid electric cars may garner consumer support as long as they are reasonably priced and prove dependable and convenient to operate.
Larry Darter - Larry Darter is a freelance writer and published author with three books to his credit. He is a graduate of the Univ. of Central ...
