Plug-In Hybrids

A W:Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) 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 to the vehicle's control software may be required. The vehicle can be used for short trips of moderate speed without needing the W:internal combustion engine (ICE) component of the vehicle, thereby saving fuel costs. In this mode of operation the vehicle operates as a pure W:battery electric vehicle (BEV) with a weight penalty (the ICE). The long range and additional power of the ICE power train is available when needed.

PHEVs are commonly 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 (50 km) electric range, compared to a HEV-0 (a non-plug-in hybrid), or HEV-300 (In the case of the 300 mile Tzero EV with its gas fueled range extending trailer). However, Ford, GM, and Toyota have all used the term "Full Hybrid Technology" to describe configurations that allow electric-only operation at low speeds (yet not PHEVs). Two other PHEV names used by a major U.S. automotive supplier and in a 1999 SAE paper are "energy hybrids" and "true hybrids". PHEVs can also operate in a mixed-mode where both gas and external electricity are used simultaneously to increase gas mileage for a particular range, usually double that of its electric-only range.

• Prius PHEV options
  • Rons PriusPlus
  • EDrive Conversions
  • Hymotion Kits
• Insight PHEV ideas.
• DaimlerChrysler Sprinter Van
• W:Renault Kangoo
• SEVA:Tzero and it's W:genset trailer.
• BEVs with W:Pusher trailers

Prius PHEVs

There have been a number of sucessful Prius conversions. Ron of CalCars has a PbA conversion named PriusPlus and EDrive is expected to use Valance Li-ion batteries in conversions for consumers. Both are based on the 2004 or newer (Gen2) Toyota Prius and are now capable of charging from the grid using standard 120vac outlets. They can operate as pure EV's at speeds up to 34mph for the range of their larger batteries, which is about 10 miles for PbA and 30 miles with Li-ion batteries. They also delivering vastly improved mileage at higher speeds in an EV-Heavy type of Mixed-mode which delivers roughly twice the gas mileage durring trips of twice their electric ranges (20 and 60 miles). Of course one should also consider the electric power required to recharge in these 100+ mpg situations (<$1 per gallon equivalent). During extended drives they operate just as a normal Prius and deliver their usual mileage.

See also

• Dr. Andrew Frank
• PlugInPartners
• http://www.hybridconsortium.org/
  • http://hybridconsortium.org/news/video/index.html - Will consumers plug in? Consumer Response.
  • Interview with members of the new Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Consortium.
• The SEVA:Tzero is an all electric vehicle sports ev with 300 miles of range. Though it can also function as a PHEV at about 30mpg on gas utilizing it's gas powered range extending trailer. In which case it becomes a PHEV-300 with unlimited gas range.
• Hybrid Truck Project
  • An interesting projects to convert an existing Hybrid commuter bus into a PHEV Recreational Vehicle.
  • http://www.maxmpg.org/
  • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ev-list-archive/message/44593
  • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ev-list-archive/message/43572
• Prof Jim Burns
  • SDSU L3 Prof Jim Burns- Diesel Plugin Hybrid
    • http://www.greencarcongress.com/2004/05/biodiesel_hybri.html
      This doesn't look like it pluggs in?

News Articles

See also News

• State of the Union - What Bush Should be Saying. [1]
• http://www.evworld.com/electrichybrid.cfm
• alternet.org Car Owners in the Driver's Seat
• evworld.com Plug in my hybrid car? Why, you ask?
• delphi.com techpaper on HFC PHEVs - A step beyond PHEV? EVDL Yahoo EVDL_Maillist:2006./1./140