A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or gas-electric hybrid fueled vehicle is a hybrid which has additional battery capacity and the ability to be recharged from an external electrical outlet. In addition, modifications are made to the vehicle's control software. The vehicle can be used for short trips of moderate speed without needing the internal combustion engine (ICE) component of the vehicle, thereby saving fuel costs. In this mode of operation the vehicle operates as a pure electric vehicle with a weight penalty (the ICE). The long range of the hybrid power train is available when needed. Please see Gas-Electric Hybrid for further clarification of what the word hybrid is describing with regards to these vehicles. A hybrid car or hybrid electric vehicle is a vehicle which relies not only on batteries but also on an internal combustion engine which drives a generator to provide the electricity and may also drive the wheels directly. ... A colorized automobile engine An internal combustion engine is an engine that is powered by the expansion of hot combustion products of fuel directly acting within an engine. ... An electric vehicle is a vehicle that is propelled by electric motors. ... Gas-Electric Hybrid What? Perhaps it would help to clarify the somewhat confusing understanding and difficulties in convaying the ideas behind Hybrid vehicles by using the following termonology: Gas-Electric Hybrid Powered vehicles as in all the current production hybrids use gassoline via an ICE, and electricity from batteries charged...

PHEVs are also called "grid-connected hybrids," "gas-optional hybrids" (GO-HEVs), "full hybrids," and are sometimes called HEV-30 (for instance, to denote a hybrid with a 30-mile electric range, compared to a HEV-0 (a non-plug-in hybrid).

A number of interesting prototypes have been created, mostly at the UC Davis Hybrid Center by teams led by Prof. Andy Frank, but there are no production vehicles available at this time (2005). Some independent researchers have demonstrated conversions of vehicles such as the Toyota Prius. The Toyota Prius is one of the worlds first commercially mass-produced hybrid automobiles. ...

There has been little interest from the conventional manufactures, although the motorcycle and small car manufacturer Suzuki has produced several prototype light sports cars capable of operation in this mode. The first of these used a 400cc motorcycle engine to give a primarily electric vehicle a "limp home" capability. A subsequent model was more capable of general operation over a wide range of conditions and ranges. 2002 Suzuki FXR150 Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese manufacturing company producing a range of small automobiles (especially Keicars), a full range of motorcycles, outboard motors, and a variety of other small combustion-powered engine products. ...

CalCars, a non-profit development group in California has converted one 2004 Prius into what it calls a "PRIUS+" as proof of concept. It is now working with EDrive Systems, a new Southern California company that plans to offer installed aftermarket conversions for 2004-2006 Priuses. And the Electric Power Research Institute of Palo Alto, along with a number of utilities and government agenices, is working with DaimlerChrysler to deliver three plug-in hybrids built on the Mercedes Sprinter platform (a 15-passenger van).

An electric vehicle with a range extending trailer might also be considered a Plug-in Hybrid. About 15kW of power is required to maintain freeway speeds in a lightweight EV. This is about one third the power output of the Honda Insight's 1 Liter three cylinder ICE. One advantage of this configuration is that the ICE or other liquid fuel burning device can be tuned to maximize effeciency by running at an ideal constant power level. The Honda Insight is a 2-seater hatchback hybrid automobile manufactured by Honda. ...

Another advantage of a gridable vehicle is their potential ability to load balance or help the grid during peak loads. By using excess battery capacity to send power back into the grid and then recharge during off peak using cheaper power such vehicles are actually advantageous to utilities as well as their owners. This is acomplished with what is know as V2G or Vehicle to Grid technology. Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology is a bi-directional grid interface for gridable vehicles such as Battery Electric Vehicles and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles. ...

Related Forums

• http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/gridable-hybrids/
• http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/priusplus/messages
• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ev-list-archive/messages
• http://groups.yahoo.com/group/calcars-news/messages
• http://www.hybridcenter.org/
• http://www.greenhybrid.com/

External links

• CalCars - the California Cars Initiative (http://www.calcars.org/)
• EV World Electric Hybrids (http://www.evworld.com/electrichybrid.cfm)
• -- History of Plug-In Hybrids (http://www.calcars.org/history.html)