Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle with a battery that can be charged by connecting to an electric power source and can also run under an internal energy conversion unit for power. Thus, a PHEV is powered by two energy sources-an energy storage device, usually a battery that can be recharged by plugging into a standard 110-volt electrical outlet, and an internal energy conversion unit, either a combustion engine or fuel cell. The fuel cell can be powered by gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, etc.

New features and benefits

There are several new features of PHEVs and benefits to consumers compared to conventional cars.

Greater Fuel Efficiency

By using electric power most of the time and batteries are recharged by plugging into the electrical grid, PHEVs can reduce the use of fuel and lower the cost for fuel. Owners of PHEVs can recharge their vehicles at home, which can also limit their trips to the gas station. Even though the actual cost still depends on how the car is driven and the owner's driving behavior, the overall cost is lower than conventional cars due to the improved efficiency and reduced use of fuel.

Lower Emissions

PHEVs can significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions resulted from driving. The Electric Power Research Institute report projected that the introducing of PHEVs can reduce GHG emissions by 3.4 to 10.4 billion metric tons between 2010 and 2050. However, the pollution might be shifted to power plants that ultimately provide electrical power to PHEVs. Only a combination of a cleaner power resource and the use of PHEVs can reduce the overall GHG emissions.

Reduced Operating and Maintenance Cost

The cost of electricity for PHEVs is very low. Using the average U.S. electricity rate of 9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kwh), 30 miles of electric driving will only cost 81 cents.(1). As PHEVs are charged at night, when most utilities provide a lower electricity rate, the cost can be even lower for car owners.

US Energy Independence

Various fueling resources that can be found domestically such as biodiesel and other renewable energy resources are able to fuel PHEVs. Also, PHEVs mainly relay on electricity that can derived from various domestic fossil fuel, nuclear, etc. Therefore, the shift to PHEVs can reduce the U.S.'s dependence on foreign oil and increase the US energy Independence.

Limitations

Due to several barriers that prevent widespread commercialization of PHEVs, especially the current limitation of battery capacity, PHEVs are not made public use yet. One of the biggest issues is the development of powerful batteries with sufficient capacity and long-enough battery life to sustain the running of PHEVs. Those batteries are under development , however, the cost for which is still very high that can not be commercialized.

Current Research Projects

Research Institutions

Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne National Laboratory has been designated by the Department of Energy's Office of Vehicle Technologies as the lead national laboratory for the simulation, validation and laboratory evaluation of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and the advanced technologies required for these vehicles.
Idaho National Laboratory, DOE's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA), INL, and testing partner Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation initiated Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) testing activities during the second half of 2006.
National Renewable Energy laboratory, NREL has an intensive research project on PHEVs.

Automakers are very active in this field too. Until now, at least fourteen car companies are exploring or planning to offer PHEVs and leading automakers already have PHEV models under development. Some examples,

Chevrolet Volt Concept Car: A PHEV that can run on electricity, ethanol, biodiesel and gasoline.

Toyota Trius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype will be powered by lithium-ion batteries by 2010.

Ford offers the Ford Edge, a prototype PHEV, which contains a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, two electric motors, and a lithium0ion battery pack.

Resources

The California Cars Initiative

Papers and Reports

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology, A. Simpson
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/40485.pdf
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Energy Storage System Design , T.Markel and A. Simpson
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy06osti/39614.pdf
Measuring and Reporting Fuel Economy of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, J. Gonder and A. Simpson
http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/40377.pdf
Impacts Assessment of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles on Electric Utilities and Regional U.S. Power Grids, Part 1: Technical Analysis, Michael Kintner-Meyer, Kevin Schneider and Rober Pratt
http://www.pnl.gov/energy/eed/etd/pd...s_combined.pdf

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