1. HYBRID CARS Chelsea Stein December 1, 2003 CSCI 030-11

2. What is a Hybrid Car? Combines two or more sources of power –Rechargeable battery –Gasoline engine –Smaller than regular gasoline powered cars

3. What’s the difference? A regular car (gas powered) has a fuel tank which supplies gasoline to the engine, which then turns the transmission which turns the wheels.

4. An electric car runs on a set of batteries that provides electricity to and electric motor, the motor turns a transmission and then the transmission turns the wheels. Electric cars produce almost no pollution, but can only travel between 50 and 100 miles between recharging. –They must be plugged into an outlet, and are slow and inconvenient to recharge.

5. HYBRID CARS Parallel Hybrid –A parallel hybrid car has a fuel tank which supplies gasoline to the engine. It also has batteries that supply power to an electric motor. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission at the same time, and the transmission then turns the wheels. Series Hybrid –A series hybrid car has a gasoline engine that turns the generator. The generator can either charge the batteries or power an electric motor that turns the transmission. –In this type of hybrid car, the gasoline never directly powers the vehicle.

6. ADVANTAGES

7. Built smaller and lighter so it uses less energy when going uphill or accelerating quickly Aerodynamic: huge amounts of energy are wasted trying to push the car through the air. Hybrid cars are designed with smaller frontal areas, reducing wind drag. When car is stopped (at a traffic light, for example), the gas motor can shut off. This allows the car to be less reliant upon the gasoline engine and conserve energy when not in motion.

8. Regenerative braking: when you use the brakes, the energy given off (in heat form) can be captured and stored in the battery for later use. The electric motor can act as a generator and charge the battery while the car is slowing down. this also helps brake pads last longer. Tires: stiffer and more inflated to reduce drag In SOME areas, you can drive alone in the HOV lane

9. WHY GET A HYBRID CAR? Environmental issues –Regular cars produce high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) which contribute to global warming –Hybrid cars reduce tailpipe emissions because of reduced gasoline use. Amount of pollution does not depend on mileage. a car that burns twice as much gas to go a mile will produce twice as much pollution Economic advantages –Hybrid cars can travel 20-30 more miles per gallon than a regular gas car. Saves money on gas: based on 15,000 miles of driving per year, paying $1.50 per gallon, a hybrid car owner saves »$250 per year »12 fill-ups per year

10. HONDA INSIGHT

11. Introduced in early 2000 in the United States, the Honda Insight was designed to have the best possible mileage. With a starting price of $19,080 this small two- seater comes manual or automatic HONDA INSIGHT

12. Parallel Hybrid small, high efficiency gas engine electric motor coupled with the engine called “integrated motor assist” –electric motor: extra power for uphills or quick acceleration, regenerative braking, starts the engine (eliminating the need for a starter) –gas engine: must be used to run car Fuel efficiency –small car - less than 1900 lbs, small engine - 124 lbs Aerodynamic – teardrop shaped Never plugs in – motor generates power to charge battery. Car must be in gear to charge 8 yr/80,000 mile warranty on powertrain, including batteries 3yr/36,000 mile warranty on the rest of the car HONDA INSIGHT

13. TOYOTA PRIUS

14. Introduced in Japan in the end of 1997, the Prius was designed with reducing emissions in mind. The Prius is bigger, with 4 doors and 5 seats; it weighs 2765 lbs and has a starting price of $20,480 TOYOTA PRIUS

15. Parallel Hybrid Powertrain (has some of the benefits of a series hybrid) –Engine only runs at efficient speed and load: the electric motor accelerates to 15mph. Once the car reaches this speed, the gas engine starts. It will only run on gas power once it has reached 15mph TOYOTA PRIUS

16. Power Split Device –Hooks gas engine, generator, and electric motor together, allows car to run on either gas or electric Regenerative braking Never needs recharging 8yr/100,000 mile warranty on batteries and hybrid system 3yr/36,000 mile warranty on the rest of the car TOYOTA PRIUS

17. TIPS FOR BETTER MILEAGE drive slower maintain a constant speed avoid short or abrupt stops