Hybrid CarsHybrid Cars

What is a hybrid?What is a hybrid?  Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) include both a combustion engine as well as an electric motor.  If we had better batteries, we would not need hybrids at all.  Hybrids can be implemented in many kinds of vehicles.

Global-Warming: Still An Issue.Global-Warming: Still An Issue.  Hybrids are not zero-emission vehicles.  Will cut down emissions of global-warming pollutants by a third to a half.  Later models may cut these emissions down by even more.

Why hybrids?Why hybrids?  Regenerative braking actually makes city driving more economical than on the highway.  Fuel efficiency is greatly increased (twice).  Emissions are greatly decreased.  Dependency on fossils fuels can be decreased.  Hybrids can be run on alternative fuels as well.  New materials can be implemented.

EPA at workEPA at work  Federal guidelines for emissions:  Tier 1 took effect in 1997  Tier 2 will phased-in beginning  National LEV (NLEV): builds on the California Emissions Standards until Tier 2 is implemented.  LEV II: California Emissions Standards.

ULEV/SULEV  Tier 1, TLEV, LEV, ULEV, SULEV, ZEV.  CARB: California Air Resources Board.  CO 2 reductions not called for. Only HC, CO, NO x.  Cars can be certified Low Emissions Vehicles but at the same time have high fuel consumption.

Reductions

Tax IncentivesTax Incentives  ‘The IRS has determined that purchasers of a new Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid or Toyota Prius are eligible for a "Clean-Fuel" vehicle tax deduction of $2,000. The current incentive is scheduled to phase out in ‘

Some EPA factsSome EPA facts  Every gallon of gasoline your vehicle burns puts 20 pounds of CO 2 into the atmosphere.  A 5 mpg difference in fuel economy equates to about 2,800 pounds of CO 2 a year.

Tons of greenhouse gasTons of greenhouse gas  NLEV program does not take CO 2 into account but let’s see some numbers:  Honda Insight: 3.4 t/yr.  Honda Civic Hybrid: 3.9 t/yr.  Toyota Prius: 4.0t/yr.  Ford Explorer: 11.0 t/yr.  Honda Civic: 5.7 t/yr. (calculated)

Honda Insight 2003Honda Insight 2003  Cost: $19,080/$21,280 (MT/CVT) MT: manual transmission CVT: continuously variable transmission

Honda Insight 2003Honda Insight 2003 IMA: integrated motor assist system or (with IMA) Emissions RatingULEV/SULEV Power Output13 hp/ rpm Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Battery144V ( V) Length155.1 inches Curb Weight1847/(1878) or 1967 lbs. Mileage (City/Highway)61/68 or 57/56 mpg Tank Capacity10.6 gal. 0 to /11.2 seconds

Honda Civic Hybrid 2003Honda Civic Hybrid 2003 Cost: $19,550/$20,550 (MT/CVT)

Honda Civic Hybrid 2003Honda Civic Hybrid 2003 or (with IMA) Emissions RatingULEV Power Output rpm Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni- MH) Battery144V ( V) Length174.8 inches Curb Weight2661/2732 lbs. Mileage (City/Highway)51/46 or 48/47 mpg Tank Capacity13.2 gal. 0 to 6011 seconds Civic DX Auto $13,010 ULEV inches 2500 lbs. 29/38 mpg 13.2 gal 8.4 seconds

Toyota Prius 2003Toyota Prius 2003 Cost: $20,480 CVT

Toyota Prius 2003Toyota Prius 2003 (98 HP combined) Emissions RatingSULEV Power Output44 hp/ rpm Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) Battery273.6V ( V) Length169.6 inches Curb Weight2765 lbs. Mileage (City/Highway)52/45 mpg Tank Capacity11.8 gal. 0 to seconds

A note about FordA note about Ford  I believe Ford is behind in the Hybrid world.  The Hybrid Escape is due at the end of 2003 with 40/29 mpg as compared to 19/25 mpg.  The Explorer: 239 HP, 4422 lbs., gets 17/21 mpg, and has a 22.5 gallon tank.

Tepper Fleet ConsumptionTepper Fleet Consumption  33.3 t/yr. CO 2  Could be reduced to less than half if all cars were hybrids.

Cars to comeCars to come  GM: Chevy Pickup 2004, Chevy Suburban  Daimler-Chrysler: Dodge Ram Pickup 2005, Mercedes S-Class 2006.