Hybrid Electric Sport Utility Vehicles

Drive-train hybridization improves the fuel economy and emissions of vehicles. This is the concept of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Application of this concept in sport utility vehicles (SUVs), which consume more fuel as compared to passenger cars, will positively have a great impact. However, dynamic performances such as acceleration and gradeability also are of great importance in SUVs. Therefore, the optimum choice of the system hybridization level includes complex tradeoffs between the engine and electric propulsion motor on the one hand and fuel economy, performance, and cost on the other. In this paper, we classify SUVs as small, medium, and large vehicles. Effects of hybridization on the fuel economy and dynamic performances of each class of SUVs are investigated. Different hybridization levels, from mild to full hybrid electric traction systems, are examined.