Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Conventional vehicles with IC engines provide good performance and long operating range by utilizing the high-energy-density advantages of petroleum fuels. However, conventional IC engine vehicles have the disadvantages of poor fuel economy and environmental pollution. The main reasons for their poor fuel economy are (1) mismatch of engine fuel efficiency characteristics with the real operation requirement (refer to Figures 2.34 and 2.35); (2) dissipation of vehicle kinetic energy during braking, especially while operating in urban areas; and (3) low efficiency of hydraulic transmission in current automobiles in stop-and-go driving patterns (refer to Figure 2.21). Battery-powered EVs, on the other hand, possess some advantages over conventional IC engine vehicles, such as high-energy efficiency and zero environmental pollution. However, the performance, especially the operation range per battery charge, is far less competitive than IC engine vehicles, due to the much lower energy density of the batteries than that of gasoline. HEVs, which use two power sources(a primary power source and a secondary power source), have the advantages of both IC engine vehicles and EVs and overcome their disadvantages. 1 , 2 In this chapter, the basic concept and operation principles of HEV power trains are discussed.