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| | Hybrid car is a highly economical car, run by “electric motor — internal combustion engine” (here-after referred to “engine”), fed both by fuel and charge of electric storage battery. Main advantage of hybrid car is to decrease the fuel consumption and harmful exhausts. It is achieved by fully automatic control of working mode of engine system with the help of onboard computer, starting from timely switching-off of engine during stop in transport stream with possible continuation of movement without staring the engine exclusively on energy of storage battery and finishing with more difficult recuperation mechanism — use of electric engine as generator of electric current for charging the storage batteries.
General principle:
Originally, idea of using the principle "electric gearbox”, i.e replacing the mechanical gearbox with electric wires, was implemented in rail transport and heavy dump trucks. Reason for using such diagram is conditioned by huge complexities of mechanical transfer of controllable torque onto the wheels of heavy transport vehicle. Essence of the principle is that the engine, working on regular fuel, brings the electric generator into motion and required quantity of electric enegry is transferred onto the electric engines through control system and thus setting the transport vehicle into motion. It is similar to power plant on electric car, generating enegry for proper motion. Aim of the working diagram of hybrid car is also same but with considerable changes, first of all, addition of storage battery, unlike an electric car, of less capacity but consequently, more lighter.
Main reason for the production of light hybrids was market demand for similar cars, caused by high fuel prices and constant increase in requirements to ecological compatibility of cars. In this case, technology development and tax privileges to the manufacturers of hybrids, which manufacture these cars, in some cases, is cheaper than the usual. In some countries, owners of hybrids are exempted from payment of road tax and even do not pay for municipal parking. Usage of electric cars, inspite of many advantages and even with established production, has series of drawbacks:
* Necessity of charging the storage batteries for longer periods;
* Heavy weight of storage batteries;
* Inadequate running distance;
* Unavailability of filling stations.
It is necesasry to search for compromises and rectify the drawbacks. Such a compromise lead to the development of hybrid car.
Development history
In USA, Victor Vouk started developing hybrid cars in 1960s and 1970s.
In 1980, company Volvo carried out experiments with flywheel, run by diesel engine and using brake energy for recovery. Subsequently, hydro accumulators were rejected for use in this project.
Reclamation of accumulators:
Even though to a lesser degree than electric vehicles, hybrid cars are subjected to reclamation problem of storage batteries. Apparently, nobody studied the influence of disposed storage batteries on environment.
Price, appearance and passenger compartment arrangement
From outside, hybrid car does not differ from its "petrol" fellow cars. Various types are manufactured, starting from regular city cars and ending with off-road jeeps and sports models. And distinctive fittings only add special pride to the owner. In this case, price remains practically same. Some owners have already christened the display with term “tamagotchi for big boys” , which indicates working of system and direction of enegry flow. Nevertheless, manufacturers do not recommend use of off-road jeeps in difficult geo-climatic conditions.
Modern use:
Toyota is leading in respect to the quantity of hybrids and actively releasing these cars since 1997 and in variants as regular cars of series Prius, off-road jeeps of series Lexus RX 400h, and also luxury class cars - Lexus LS 600h.
According to the sales report of 2006, more than half a million cars of model Prius were sold all over the world. Technology of hybrid drive Toyota HSD was licensed by Ford (Escape Hybrid), Nissan (Altima Hybrid). Mass production of hybrid cars is delayed due to the deficit of nickel-metal-hydride storage batteries.
In 2006, 90410 hybrid cars were sold in Japan, which is by 47.6% more than the sales in 2005.
In 2006, sales of hybrid cars in the USA has grown by 22 % in comparison to 2005. In USA, hybrid cars occupy 1.5% of new light verhicle market. In USA, the sales touched 251000 hybrid cars in 2006 (without taking the sales Saturn VUE Green Line of GM into account).
In 2007, sales of hybrid cars in USA has grown by 38 % in comparison with the sales in 2006. In USA, hybrid cars occupy 2.15 % share in the new light vehicle market. In total, approximately 350000 hybrid cars (without taking the sales of GM Corporation into account) were sold for the year 2007.
From 1999 till 2007, around 1 002 000 hybrid cars were sold in USA.
Perspectives:
Toyota declared its plan to increase production volume of hybrid cars (cars, equipped both with internal combustion engine and electro-motor) up to 300 thousand cars per year by 2007 and diversify exclusively to the production of hybrid cars by 2012.
First Automotive Works plans to make 1000 hybrid buses by 2010 for the Olympic Games 2008 in Beijing and World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
After 2012, London shall buy only hybrid buses. It will put 500 hybrid buses into operations every year.
Manufacturers and available models:
Ford Escape Hybrid
Mercury Mariner Hybrid
Honda Insight (International Engine of the Year 2000)
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Accord Hybrid
General Motors:
Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra Hybrid (debatable, see Mild hybrid)
New Flyer hybrid buses using Allisons electric drive system
Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid.
Mazda Demio (Japan-only, debatable, see Assist hybrid)
Renault Kangoo (France)
Toyota and Lexus:
Prius (Motor Trend Car of the Year 2004, International Engine of the Year 2004, European Car of the Year 2005)
Lexus RX 400h
Toyota Highlander
Lexus GS 450h
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota Estima (Japan-only)
Nissan
Altima Hybrid – Hybrid pattern of Toyota.
Also check our hybrid animals contest. |
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