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2.7.- OTHER EVs
2.7.1.- HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)
It runs in an internal combustion engine that produces electricity in order to feed an electric motor. Surplus energy (i.e. idle and braking) is stored in a low-capacity battery (such as lead-acid) and used to supply auxiliary power in acceleration. It can only be fed by gasoline, not recharged from the network, so, actually, they are more similar to a high-efficiency ICV than an EV.
The most important examples of globally sold hybrids are the consolidate Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight, both from pioneer enterprises in the great scale commercialization of HEVs.
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Main components of a HEV.
Source: <http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/hybrid_electric_components.html> |
2.7.2.- PLUG-IN ELECTRIC VEHICLE (PHEV)
Also known as extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV), it is fed by electric batteries that must be recharged from the network. When those batteries run out of energy, an auxiliary ICV engine feeds the electric engine. That solves the problem of the EV low autonomy, and may make unnecessary to consume gasoline in short trips. Then, the commercialization of PHEVs could be an intelligent way to familiarize drivers with the electric technology in order to plan a pure electric transport future.
Nowadays, at the same way as EVs, any PHEV model is sold at a great scale.
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