Hybrid electric vehicles: Always second best? Final report

Technical Report · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:419147

Hybrid electric vehicles--which offer reduced emissions and petroleum consumption compared with gasoline-powered vehicles and longer range than all-electric vehicles--appear to be a suitable alternative to petroleum--and electric-based technologies. Yet, with greater complexity than the other two technologies, hybrids will likely remain a less popular option with questionable ability to attain market position. The project team surveyed the features of the various hybrid technologies, including parallel and series configurations, and examined the feasibility of using ultracapacitors and flywheels to provide peak power to the vehicles. They next compared the energy consumption and potential emissions of hybrids with those of a pure EV and a gasoline-powered vehicle. The team also considered cost and market issues for hybrid electric vehicles. Investigators concluded that hybrid electric vehicles offer some advantages over electric- and gasoline-powered vehicles but only insofar as other technologies are not developed. To date, the tendency has been to pursue other technologies rather than improve hybrids. EV supporters tend to prefer to develop higher performance batteries for EVs, and automakers continue to develop and promote cleaner and more-efficient gasoline vehicle technology. Because of this lack of support and the added complexity associated with hybrid electric vehicles, hybrids will not be a serious contender in the future automative market. This EPRI study is designed to help utilities and other organizations understand the market prospects for hybrid electric vehicles in comparison with EVs. Results validate the utility industry`s decision to develop pure EVs rather than pursue the hybrid option. Developing an infrastructure for and promoting EVs is part of a larger EPRI program to support increased electrification of transportation technologies in order to reduce vehicle emissions and increase efficiency.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 419147
• Report Number(s): EPRI-TR--104156; CNN: RP2664
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
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COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
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FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE
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INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
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