Hybrid electric vehicles

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Electrical System Analysis Of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Introduction The trend to save the environment for future generations while at the same time maintain our current lifestyle has proved to be a constant struggle. One of the most discussed and debated issue of modern time is the increased use of petroleum based products for automobiles. Cars are considered consumer goods. Automobiles are run using an internal combustion (IC) engine that burn hydrocarbons to generate energy that helps move the vehicle. Currently, the two most commonly used hydrocarbons are gasoline and diesel. The growing dependence on imported oil, along with a heightened concern about the environment, has led to our increased interest in electric cars as an alternative to traditional gas-powered automobiles. Battery systems for electric vehicles are improving, but with their limited range of travel, they are still not feasible for most people. In addition, we believe that the average person making the decision to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles would demand that those vehicles be comfortable, attractive, convenient, and affordable to purchase and maintain. Newly available automotive technology, known as hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), appears to meet these requirements. Hybrid power systems were conceived as a way to compensate for the shortfall in battery technology (Office of Transportation Technologies, HEV program). Hybrid electric vehicles recharge as it is driven, get approximately double the miles per gallon of gas than current vehicles (Toyota, technology) and can be refueled at any gas station. Each hybrid vehicle will produce thousands fewer pounds of pollutants than the vehicles currently on the road. According to Department of Energy estimates, a hybrid car driven 12,000 miles per year will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 4,700 pounds over its predecessor, says the National Resources Defense Council article on earth smart cars. Hybrids will allow drivers to get between 20 and 30 miles per gallon more than standard automobiles. With this kind of savings, it won't take long to make up the additional cost of the hybrid. Hybrids save on gas in a number of ways. All hybrids shut off the gas engine automatically when the car is stopped. The engine turns back on when the driver presses the gas pedal. The gas engine will also come on to start charging the batteries when they become low on power. Typically, when a consumer buys products to help the environment the consumer pays more. Hybrids are a refreshing exception where the consumer actually saves money by doing something good for the environment. Not only does fuel efficiency save the drive money, burning less gasoline means that there is less pollution causing emissions released into the atmosphere. There is also a lower level of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, released into the atmosphere. HEVs are growing leaders in transportation technology development. Hybrids have great potential for growth in improving the automotive industry, while also reducing serious resource consumption, reliance on foreign oil, air pollution, and traffic congestion. The hybrid's complexity, and the fact that some of the best storage and conversion systems have yet to be fully developed, ignites varied opinions on hybrids' ultimate impact in the marketplace.


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