April 2008
Future hybrid cars
Automakers are working on hybrids that could save even more gas. For example, General Motors and Toyota are developing hybrids
with large enough battery packs that they could run longer distances on just electricity. Since the extra electricity would
come from plugging into the electric grid, those cars are known as "plug-in" hybrids, or PHEVs.
Some companies are converting Toyota Priuses to plug-in hybrids by installing much larger batteries and a charging system. So far those conversions cost about $10,000 to $15,000 on top of the price of the car. Toyota says such conversions will void the warranty on the Prius's electrical system.
But owners of such cars claim to get more than 100 miles on the energy equivalent (in electricity and gas) of a gallon of gas. Plug-in hybrids that could go long distances on electricity could significantly reduce oil demand because most Americans travel less than 40 miles a day. In theory, those drivers might not have to run the gas engine at all on most days. For extended trips on weekends and vacations, the engine would be available to help go the distance.
Today's full hybrids use what is known as a "parallel-hybrid" construction. That means both the gas engine and the electric motor can power the car independently.
General Motors and other automakers are developing "series" hybrids, which are basically electric cars in which the electric motor is the only power source connected to the wheels to drive the car. In a series hybrid, the onboard engine is used only to charge the large battery pack. Serving as a mobile generator, the engine could be powered by gasoline, ethanol, diesel, or any other fuel. Future versions might use fuel cells to charge the batteries.
Many consumers consider hybrids fashionable, but not all such vehicles provide effective fuel savings. But as the technology evolves, today's hybrids are laying the groundwork for the electrically powered or fuel-cell cars of tomorrow.
Learn more about hybrid vehicles in our "Guide to driving green."
Some companies are converting Toyota Priuses to plug-in hybrids by installing much larger batteries and a charging system. So far those conversions cost about $10,000 to $15,000 on top of the price of the car. Toyota says such conversions will void the warranty on the Prius's electrical system.
But owners of such cars claim to get more than 100 miles on the energy equivalent (in electricity and gas) of a gallon of gas. Plug-in hybrids that could go long distances on electricity could significantly reduce oil demand because most Americans travel less than 40 miles a day. In theory, those drivers might not have to run the gas engine at all on most days. For extended trips on weekends and vacations, the engine would be available to help go the distance.
Today's full hybrids use what is known as a "parallel-hybrid" construction. That means both the gas engine and the electric motor can power the car independently.
General Motors and other automakers are developing "series" hybrids, which are basically electric cars in which the electric motor is the only power source connected to the wheels to drive the car. In a series hybrid, the onboard engine is used only to charge the large battery pack. Serving as a mobile generator, the engine could be powered by gasoline, ethanol, diesel, or any other fuel. Future versions might use fuel cells to charge the batteries.
Many consumers consider hybrids fashionable, but not all such vehicles provide effective fuel savings. But as the technology evolves, today's hybrids are laying the groundwork for the electrically powered or fuel-cell cars of tomorrow.
Learn more about hybrid vehicles in our "Guide to driving green."
