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For article , see PowerPedia:Hybrid_car.

Hybrid Vehicles 

Are vehicles that run on a combination of fuels, usually petroleum and electricity. There are a number of different hybrid vehicle designs, including combined internal combustion and electric engines that operate in concert and separate internal combustion and electric engines that operate independently.

Featured at PESWiki

• Hydristor to convert vehicles into green hybrids - This infinitely variable vane hydraulic pump/motor is basically a simplified automatic transmission with no gears, with regenerative storage capability. Aiming to retrofit existing vehicles, it is projected to double or even triple mileage, while drastically cutting emissions (to 1/4) and boosting performance.
  

• Hybrid Bus: e-Traction Revolution on Wheel - Whisper™ buses in the Netherlands get 13.9 mpg by using a diesel engine with an electrical generator to produce electricity which runs electric motors that are directly connected to wheels (series hybrid) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_vehicle#Series).
  

Electrocharger

• Electrocharger is the world's first hybrid retrofit that allows you to convert your car into a hybrid electric vehicle. Takes the place of the alternator and contributes to acceleration.
  

• PowerPedia:Toyota Prius

Companies

• Flywheel Energy Store Hybrid Light Railcars (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/06/flywheel-energy.html) - Parry People Movers (http://www.parrypeoplemovers.com/) hybrid light railcars are equipped with a flywheel energy store to capture braking energy for use in acceleration. The railcars can be powered by an on board LPG-fueled automotive engine, diesel- or hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines, or hydrogen fuel cells. (Green Car Congress; Jun. 24, 2007)
  

Plug-In Hybrids

See Directory:Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles -- PHEV (separate page) - Some hybrid owners are doing plug-in conversions by adding batteries or replacing them with larger capacity units. Add an inverter and a plug to make a plug-in hybrid. The control system can also be altered so that the gas engine kicks in at a higher speed.

Internal Combustion / Electric

ICE runs recharger only (Series hybrid)

• US Army Unveils Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/us_army_goes_green_unveils_first_hybridelectric_propulsion_system_for_new_combat.php) - The U.S. Army recently unveiled a new hybrid-electric propulsion system for use in a new line of manned ground vehicles. The unique feature is that the traditional engine has been decoupled from the drive train and is used only to recharge the battery and power other systems within the vehicle. (New Launches; Aug. 18, 2007) (See Slashdot (http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/08/18/1554206) discussion)
  

• Connaught Motor Company (http://www.connaughtmotorco.com/) - Connaught's hybrid Type-D high performance energy-efficient sports car will deliver 140mph, 0-60mph in 6.5s, 42mpg, while still complying with ultra-low emissions targets. The Lynch electric motor is attached to the crankshaft nose, via a variable gearing system designed to exploit the fact that an electric motor delivers its highest torque at its lowest speeds.
  

• 60 MPG Hybrid Hummer (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/10/20/biodiesel-turbine-super-capacitor-series-hybrid-hummer-60/) - SAE Energy (http://saeenergy.com/07_whatnew.htm) is converting a 2005 Hummer H3 to a series hybrid powered by a biodiesel turbine engine that charges a set of super capacitors in a matter of seconds, giving the car 600 horse power. Johnathan Goodwin (http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/120/motorhead-messiah.html) says "it'll get 60 miles to the gallon and does zero to 60 in five seconds!" (AutoblogGreen; Oct. 20, 2007)
  

ICE / Motor (Parallel hybrid)

Aptera

• Directory:Aptera - is now accepting orders for their lightweight three wheeled hybrid car made of composite materials. It is estimated to acheive 300 mpg fuel efficiency and a 95 mph top speed at a price of less than $30,000.
  

Others

• Reducing the cost of lithium ion batteries (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11/08/ricardo-and-qinetiq-partner-on-reducing-cost-of-lithium-ion-batt/) - Ricardo (http://www.ricardo.com/media/pressreleases/pressrelease.aspx?page=93) and QinetiQ (http://www.qinetiq.com/home/newsroom/news_releases_homepage/2007/4th_quarter/qinetiq_and_ricardo.html) will try to bring the cost of lithium ion batteries down so that they can be commercially viable without degrading performance. In 2006 they showed off their Efficient-C diesel hybrid Citroen Berlingo van but acknowledged that the hybrid's extra cost needed to be reduced by half to €2,000. (AutoblogGreen; Nov. 8, 2007)
  

• 200 MPG Velozzi Micro-Turbine Electric Hybrid (http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=57239) - The Velozzi (http://www.velozzi.org/) derives its power from a lithium ion battery pack recharged by an on-board micro turbine, which uses any heavy fuel such as gasoline, ethanol, methanol, diesel or bio diesel. The company’s working model indicates great performance: 100–200 mpg; 0–60 MPH in 3 seconds; 200 MPH top speed. (SEMA; Apr. 25, 2007 )
  

• TNO Hybrid Carlab (http://www.automotive.tno.nl/smartsite.dws?id=1307) - This Beetle finished 2nd (http://www.tno.nl/tno/actueel/tno_persberichten/2005/tno_science_and_industrys/index.xml) in the 2005 Rallye Monte Carlo for Hybrid Vehicles using < 4 litres/100km (59 mpg US). A 150kW AC Propulsion (http://www.acpropulsion.com/) electrical system powers the front wheels supplied by a generator set based on a VW 1.2 TDI 3-cylinder diesel engine and UQM (http://www.uqm.com/) generator. Peak power is supplied by a supercapacitor pack consisting of 3500F Nesscap (http://www.nesscap.com/) cells.
  

• The VentureOne Hybrid and EV: 100 MPH, 100 MPG (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/the-venture-one.php) - The VentureOne (http://www.flytheroad.com/) three-wheeler will be available as a hybrid with 300 mile range or as an all electric vehicle with 120 mile range. It seats two and is capable of 100 mph with 100 mpg fuel efficiency and can tilt almost 45º in turns. To be released in late 2008, priced in the $20,000 range. (TreeHugger; Feb. 16, 2007)
  

• Remote Hybrid Helper Could Turn Any Car into a Hybrid (http://www.ecogeek.org:80/content/view/1587/69/) - With its own batteries and electric motors, the semi truck trailer pusher would assist the trailer up the hill and then use massive battery packs to capture breaking energy generated going down the hill. (EcoGeek; Apr. 28, 2008)
  

• RailPower Technologies (http://www.railpower.com/) - The Green Goat® hybrid locomotive can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 40% to 70%. The large diesel engine is replaced with a small genset, a battery pack and a computerized control module. The heavy batteries give the locomotive good traction and the genset runs only when the batteries need charging.
  

• Solar Sailor (http://www.solarsailor.com/) - Hybrid marine power combines conventional engines with Solar Wing technology utilising solar & wind energy. Depending on weather conditions, these two sources are used simultaneously or singularly. Fuel consumption and emissions are reduced by nearly 50%.
  

• Toyota
  • Highlander
  • Toyota Prius

• Honda
  • Honda Accord Hybrid
  • Civic
  • Insight

• Mazda Demio

• Mitsubishi Fuso
  • Mitsubishi releases diesel hybrid truck in Japan (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/milestone_hybri.php) - Mitsubishi Fuso has unveiled the most energy-efficient medium-duty truck in the world, the Canter Eco Hybrid (http://www.mitfuso.com/pages/news-hevconcept.html). With its diesel-electric drivetrain, the Canter offers a Li-ion-powered electric motor that kicks into action during stop-and-go driving. (TreeHugger; July 6, 2006)

• Daihatsu Hijet Cargo Hybrid

• Ford Escape Hybrid

• List of hybrid vehicles

• Yahoo autos: hybrid cars (http://autos.yahoo.com/search/?p=hybrid)

• ISE Corporation Hybrid-Electric Buses and Trucks (http://www.isecorp.com/)

Fuel Cell / Electric

• Microcab (http://www.microcab.co.uk/) - An Urban, ultra light, city speed, 'short hop' taxi system with electric drive powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, pollution free and virtually silent in operation. The only emission is water vapour. Maximum speed 45kph (30mph). Range on full hydrogen tank approx. 160km (100miles).

Hydraulic

See Directory:Hydraulics

Flexible Fuel

• Volvo Bi-Fuel S80 (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2004/10/volvo_bifuel_s8.html) has a 5 cylinder 2.4 liter engine powered by compressed natural gas (CNG ) or biogas (methane) with gasoline as a back-up. Fuel cost is 20-60% less than gasoline and 20-40% less than diesel.
• XcelPlus International (http://www.flextek.com/) - FlexTek conversion technology plugs into the wiring harness to enable a vehicle’s fuel system to burn ethanol (E85), gasoline, or any blend of the two fuels, and offers an optional E85 Engine Preparation Kit that protects it from corrosion.

Resources

• Even with Coal Power, Plug-ins Beat Your Average Car (http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1569/69/) - The graph put together by Tommy McCall and David Talbot MIT Technology Review (http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20213/?a=f) (reg recd) compares plug-ins with each other, using different power sources. (EcoGeek; April 23, 2008)
  

• Flywheel Hybrid System Passes Crash Test (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/10/flybrid-flywhee.html) - Flybrid Systems (http://www.flybridsystems.com/) has demonstrated that its high-speed spinning flywheel system can survive a crash test. Compared to electrical-battery hybrids, the mechanical kinetic energy recovery system provides a more compact, efficient, lighter and environmentally-friendly solution. Flybrid uses a smaller and lighter flywheel than previous models. (Green Car Congress; Oct. 28, 2007)
  

• PowerPedia:Hybrid Adapter - A hybrid adapter, or HYBRAD, is a device which turns any passenger class vehicle into a multi-fuel / hybrid vehicle. One example is a hybrid adapter that simply plugs into the back of your vehicle and pushes it. Hybrid adapters run simultaneously, or in parallel, with your existing drivetrain.
  

• Integral Powertrain (http://www.integralp.com/SuperGenArticles.aspx) - SuperGen i-Hybrid delivers the performance and economy of high power full hybrid systems with a less complex system requiring significantly less electrical storage and power. Bringing together engine downsizing through pressure-charging, stop-start for city driving, torque assist and regenerative braking, in a single integrated unit, allows outstanding fuel economy improvement with low investment.

• Electromagnetic > Variable Torque Motors (http://variabletorquemotors.com/) - Axial field weakening yields higher efficiency over the rpm range, creating a "built-in" transmission that mechanically enables an operating range up to 10x the motor base speed for electric vehicles. VTM offers hybrid retrofit packages installed on the drive shaft of rear wheel drive vehicles using Maxwell BoostCap™ (http://www.maxwell.com/ultracapacitors/products/index.asp) ultracapacitors for energy storage.

• Clean Power Technologies (http://www.cleanpowertech.co.uk/) - Developing novel power trains for hybrid vehicles using exhaust heat stored in a liquid energy reservoir, offering a potential fuel saving of up to 50%. The energy reservoir provides periods of totally non-polluting power in a closed vapour cycle in urban areas. Unlike a battery, it has a high power availability without fuel consumption for charging.

• F1 tech for road cars (http://www.gizmag.com/go/7396/) - Xtrac (http://www.xtrac.com/) will exploit Torotrak’s (http://www.torotrak.com/) full-toroidal traction drive to develop highly efficient CVTs for use in the new kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) proposed for F1 motor racing. The system holds promise for use in road cars, storing kinetic energy in a flywheel, boosting fuel economy without complex electrical-battery hybrid architectures. (Gizmag; Jun. 6, 2007)

• Freightliner diesel electric hybrid (http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/01/13/freightliner-will-show-off-new-diesel-hybrid-technology-next-mon/) - A medium-duty walk-in van with diesel-electric hybrid technology from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. was developed along with Eaton and Detroit Diesel. It shows a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy and a significant reduction in emissions. (AutoblogGreen; January 13, 2007)

• Van Cor Transmission (http://www.vancortransmission.com/) - Symbiotic Drive (http://www.vancortransmission.com/web011_051130.html) runs both the gas engine and an electric motor at the same time in varied proportions to produce continuously variable output, an energy efficient process called “torque amplification”. The two power sources are combined through a planetary system in which the electric motor can become an output generator when the gas engine is idling or when the vehicle is decelerating.

• HyKinesys (http://www.hykinesys.com/) - PowerBeam hybrid systems increase vehicular fuel efficiency by 100%, improve vehicle performance and reduce the cost of hybridizing vehicles. They are applicable to any road vehicle with any type of power train, whether gasoline, diesel, electric or fuel cell.

• Hybridcenter.org (http://www.ucsusa.org/hybridcenter/hybridindex.cfm) - New Union of Concerned Scientists website dedicated to presenting the facts about hybrid vehicles.
• Pneumatic-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) (http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/03/30/spark.air.car/index.html) Car that runs on compressed air.

• Hybrid Technologies  (http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/index.php)- A development stage technology company that is focusing its resources and efforts on the development and marketing of electric powered vehicles.

• Enova (http://www.enovasystems.com/) - Electric Hybrid drive systems for light and heavy duty vehicles.
  • IC Corporation Works with Enova Systems to Supply First Hybrid School Buses That Can Attain Up To 40 Percent Increase in Fuel Efficiency (http://www.ic-corp.com/site_layout/news/newsdetail.asp?id=772) - New York, California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Iowa and Washington will be the first states in the nation to receive hybrid school buses. Through its Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Project, Advanced Energy, a Raleigh, N.C.-based nonprofit corporation, initiated a buyer's consortium of school districts, state energy agencies and student transportation providers. IC Corporation, the nation's largest school bus manufacturer, won the bid and will provide up to 19 hybrid school buses to those 11 states. (IC Corporation; July 27, 2006)
  • Enova will Utilize Post Transmission Parallel Hybrid Drive Systems (http://www.enovasystems.com/index.cfm?section=News&linkID=24) - The Electric Drive System is integrated behind the Transmission and is designed to be installed as a "drop in," into an OEM production line, or retrofitted into existing vehicles. It is a non-invasive system that requires few modifications to the vehicle. Fuel economy improvement is from 30% to 55% for a Charge Sustaining System (no overnight plug-in), and 70-100% for Charge Depleting Systems (requires overnight plug-in). (Enova Systems; September 11, 2006)

• 21ponies.com (http://www.21ponies.com/) sells a video that shows how to transform a regular car into a hybrid vehicle.
• mixedpower.com (http://www.mixedpower.com/index.php)
• Hybrid Cars (http://eartheasy.com/live_hybrid_cars.htm) at eartheasy.com
• Coastal Electronic Technologies (http://www.coastaletech.com/index.html) - Home of Custom Prius Accessories! The Electric Only Mode kit allows you to activate the electric feature of your Prius and drive for short distances without the engine running.
• The EV Wheel (http://99mpg.com/TheBestHybridmix/) is a 5th wheel add-on. mIMA (http://99mpg.com/operation/) is a manually integrated motor assist.
• EV Pusher (http://www.mrsharkey.com/pusher.htm) is a trailer with a diesel engine that pushes an electric vehicle on longer trips
• Solar Electrical Vehicles (http://www.solarelectricalvehicles.com) - SEV was created to develop a true solar charging system for Hybrid Electric Vehicles that provides increased electric driving range and improved fuel economy.
• Solatec (http://www.solatecllc.com/) - Rooftop-mounted, flexible Solar Photovoltaic Panel Kit for Toyota Prius Hybrid
• Lapp Renewables (http://www.lapprenewables.com/hybrid%20project.html) - The Photovoltaic Hybrid Car Project
• 75 MPG Hybrid Electric Car (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Alternative_Energy/1979_July_August/An_Amazing_75_MPG_Hybrid_Electic_Car) - Article at Mother Earth News - the car is driven by an electric motor . . . but that powerplant's "juice" is generated with the help of an ordinary, fuel-stingy lawn-mower engine!
• Pumpago.com - America dependent on domestic fuel (http://www.pumpago.com) - New activist site considers how America can reduce gasoline prices, gain independence from OPEC, create a new energy industry based on the gassification of coal. Considers the costs and benefits of biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen, and hybrid cars.

Directories

• Hybrid Cars (http://www.energyplanet.info/Hybrid_Cars/) - A visual directory of hybrid vehicle websites. (EnergyPlanet.info)

• GreenHybrid.com Real Hybrid Mileage Database - Median MPG (US) & Middle 50%. 27,727,877 mi - 24,668 tanks - 1,901 cars - 1 database.
  • http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/ - database
  • Hybrid Drivers Provide Real-World Mileage Data (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/05/10/0117207) - Private database (GreenHybrid.com) compiles 5-million-mile driving data from hundreds of hybrid drivers from around the world. (Slashdot; May 10, 2005)

• http://www.thehybridcars.net - Aims to become a guide to the available hybrid cars, technology and benefits of the cars, and how to get them, including renting a hybrid car.

See Also

• PowerPedia:Hybrid Vehicles - Encyclopedic entry here at PESWiki

• Compressed Air (http://www.freeenergynews.com/Directory/CompressedAir/) - directory at FreeEnergyNews.com

• Electric Vehicle (http://www.freeenergynews.com/Directory/EV) - directory at FreeEnergyNews.com
• Hybrid Adapter
• Directory:Buy hybrid vehicles

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• Fuel Additives
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