Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles (Brochure)

Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles

Hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles use electricity as their primary fuel or to improve the efficiency of conventional vehicle designs. This new generation of vehicles, often called electric drive vehicles, can be divided into three categories: hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs). Together, they have great potential to reduce U.S. petroleum use. All-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are charged by plugging the vehicle into an electric power source. Photo by Andrew Hudgins, NREL/PIX 17634 Hybrid Electric Vehicles HEVs are powered by an internal combustion engine or other propulsion source that energy from the battery provides extra electric motor, which uses energy stored runs on conventional or alternative fuel power during acceleration and auxiliary in a battery. PHEVs have larger battery and an electric motor that uses energy power when idling. packs than HEVs, making it possible to stored in a battery. The extra power drive using only electric power (about 10 provided by the electric motor allows for to 40 miles in current models). This is a smaller engine, resulting in better fuel Plug-In Hybrid Electric commonly referred to as the all-electric economy without sacrificing performance. Vehicles range of the vehicle. HEVs combine the benefits of high fuel PHEVs are powered by conventional economy and low emissions with the fuels and by electrical energy stored in a PHEV batteries can be charged several power and range of conventional vehicles. battery. Using electricity from the grid to ways: by an outside electric power source, charge the battery some of the time costs by the internal combustion engine, or HEVs do not require a plug to charge less and reduces petroleum consumption through regenerative braking. If a PHEV the battery; instead, they charge using compared with conventional vehicles. is never plugged in to charge, its fuel regenerative braking and the internal PHEVs can also reduce emissions, economy will be about the same as that combustion engine. They capture energy depending on the electricity source. of a similarly sized HEV. If the vehicle is normally lost during braking by using fully charged and then driven a shorter the electric motor as a generator, storing PHEVs have an internal combustion distance than its all-electric range, it is the captured energy in the battery. The engine or other propulsion source and an possible to use electric power only.

Electric Drive Vehicles at a Glance All-Electric Vehicles HEVs: HEVs are powered by conventional or alternative fuels EVs use a battery to store the electrical as well as electrical energy stored in a battery. The battery energy that powers the motor. EV batter- is charged through regenerative braking and the internal ies are charged by plugging the vehicle combustion engine or other propulsion source and is not into an electric power source. Although plugged in to charge. electricity production may contribute PHEVs: PHEVs are powered by conventional or alternative to air pollution, the U.S. Environmental fuels and electrical energy stored in a battery. The vehicle Protection Agency (EPA) considers EVs can be plugged into an electric power source to charge the battery in addition to using regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine or other propulsion source. EVs: A battery stores the electrical energy that powers the motor. EV batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle into an electric power source.

www.cleancities.energy.gov • October 2011 VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM • October 2011 • Page 2 to be zero-emission vehicles because their motors produce no exhaust or emissions. Since EVs use no other fuel, they help reduce petroleum consumption.

Currently available EVs have a shorter range per charge than most conventional vehicles have per tank of gas. EV manufacturers typically target a minimum range of 100 miles. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, 100 miles is sufficient for more than 90% of all house- hold vehicle trips in the United States.

Light-duty HEV, PHEV, and EV models are currently available from a number HEVs work well for both light-duty and heavy-duty applications. This hybrid electric of auto manufacturers, with additional transit bus carries passengers along the 16th Street Mall in Denver. models expected to be released in com- Photo by Pat Corkery, NREL/PIX 17975 ing years. There are also a variety of

What are the Benefits of Electric Drive Vehicles? Benefits Hybrid Electric Vehicles Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles All-Electric Vehicles Fuel Better than similar Better than similar HEVs and No liquid fuels Economy conventional vehicles conventional vehicles Fuel economy of EVs is usually The fuel savings of driving a PHEVs use 40% to 60% less fuel than expressed as cost per mile, which Honda Civic Hybrid versus a conventional vehicles and permit is discussed below. conventional Civic is about driving at slow and high speeds using 38% in the city and 20% on only electricity. the highway.

Emissions Lower emissions than similar Lower emissions than HEVs and Zero emissions Reductions conventional vehicles similar conventional vehicles EV emissions do not come from the HEV emissions vary by vehicle PHEV emissions are projected to be low- tailpipe, so EVs are considered zero- and type of hybrid power sys- er than HEV emissions, because PHEVs emission vehicles. However, emissions tem. HEVs are often used to are driven on electricity some of the are produced from the electric power offset fleet emissions to meet time. Most categories of emissions are plant. Most categories of emissions local air-quality improvement lower for electricity generated from pow- are lower for electricity generated strategies and federal er plants than from vehicles running on from power plants than from vehicles requirements. gasoline or diesel. running on gasoline or diesel.

Fuel Cost Less expensive to run Less expensive to run than Less expensive to run than Savings than a conventional vehicle an HEV or conventional vehicle conventional vehicles Because of their improved fuel When running on electricity, a EVs only run on electricity. A typical economy, HEVs usually cost PHEV can cost $0.02 to $0.04 per mile in electric vehicle costs $0.02 to $0.04 $0.05 to $0.07 per mile in fuel, fuel (based on average U.S. electricity per mile for fuel (based on average compared to conventional ve- price). When running on gasoline, the U.S. electricity price). hicles, which cost $0.10 to same vehicle can cost $0.05 to $0.07 per $0.15 per mile in fuel. mile in fuel, compared to conventional vehicles, which cost $0.10 to $0.15 per mile in fuel.

Fueling Can fuel at gas stations Can fuel at gas stations or charge Can charge at home or public Flexibility or public alternative at home or public charging stations charging stations fueling sites

Source: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center, www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/electric_benefits.html

CLEAN CITIES CLEAN VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM • October 2011 • Page 3

EVSE Options Current Amperage Kilowatts Voltage (V) Charging Time Primary Use Type (amps) (kW) Alternating 1.3 to 2-5 miles of range per Residential Level 1 12-16 amps 120V current (AC) 1.9 kW hour of charging charging Up to 80 Up to 10-20 miles of range per Residential and Level 2 AC 240V amps 19.2 kW hour of charging public charging

Level 3 To be To be To be 60-80 miles of range in AC Public charging (in development) determined determined determined less than 30 minutes Direct Up to 200 50 to 60-80 miles of range in DC Fast Charging 208-600V Public charging current (DC) amps 150 kW less than 30 minutes medium- and heavy-duty options avail- batteries to conditions such as overcharge, able. For up-to-date information on vibration, extreme temperatures, short available vehicle models, refer to the circuit, humidity, fire, collision, and water Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles immersion. Manufacturers also design Data Center’s (AFDC) Electric Vehicle vehicles with insulated high-voltage lines Availability page (www.afdc.energy.gov/ and safety features that deactivate electric afdc/vehicles/electric_availability.html) and systems when they detect a collision FuelEconomy.gov. or short circuit. For additional electric drive vehicle safety information, refer to the AFDC’s Maintenance and Safety of How are EV and PHEV Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and All-Electric batteries charged? Vehicles page (www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/ Charging EVs and PHEVs requires plug- vehicles/electric_maintenance.html). ging the vehicle into charging equipment, also called electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Charging times vary based How do maintenance on how depleted the battery is, how much requirements compare energy it holds, and the type of battery to those of conventional Drivers of EVs and PHEVs will soon and EVSE. The charging time for a fully vehicles? depleted battery can range from 30 min- have access to thousands of charging Because HEVs and PHEVs have internal utes to more than 20 hours, depending on stations across the country. Photo by combustion engines, their maintenance the vehicle and the type of charging equip- Andrew Hudgins, NREL/PIX 17834 requirements are comparable to conven- ment used. Because charging an EV or tional vehicles. The electrical system PHEV takes significantly longer than fuel- electricity demand and ensure uninter- (battery, motor, and associated electron- ing a conventional vehicle at a gas station, rupted service. ics) doesn’t require the same scheduled most EVSE will be available in locations maintenance. Due to the use of regen- where vehicles park for extended periods, To locate EVSE in your area, see the erative braking, brake systems on these including residences, workplaces, and Alternative Fueling Station Locator (www. vehicles typically last longer than those parking garages. The table above presents afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/stations). on conventional vehicles. several EVSE options.

Modern charging equipment and vehicles Are electric drive EVs typically require less maintenance are designed with standard connec- vehicles safe? than conventional vehicles because: tors and plug receptacles, so drivers do HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs undergo the • They have fewer moving parts not need to worry about whether their same rigorous safety testing as conven- vehicles are compatible with charging tional vehicles sold in the United States • Regenerative braking reduces equipment. Utilities are also working to and must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle brake wear upgrade local distribution infrastructure Safety Standards. In addition, their bat- in neighborhoods with higher EV and tery packs are encased in sealed shells • Their electrical systems don’t require PHEV concentrations to handle increased and meet testing standards that subject frequent maintenance.

CLEAN CITIES CLEAN VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM • October 2011 • Page 4

Well-to-wheels emissions of PHEVs and EVs depend on the source of electrical power used for charging. If electricity is generated from nonpolluting, renewable sources, these vehicles have the potential to produce zero emissions. Left photo from iStock/6381513; right photo by Mike Linenberger, NREL/PIX 15152

How do fuel costs For EPA fuel economy ratings and fuel Because PHEVs can operate either in compare to those of cost comparisons between different all-electric mode or with the help of the vehicle models currently available in internal combustion engine, emissions conventional vehicles? the United States, refer to the FuelEcon- vary based on the vehicle’s operating When discussing electric drive vehicles, omy.gov website. mode. When the vehicle is charged by an “fuel” includes the gasoline, diesel, or electrical power source, emissions calcu- alternative fuel used in the internal com- What are the emissions lations must take electricity production bustion engine or other propulsion source, into account. On average, most categories as well as the electricity used to charge benefits of electric drive of emissions are lower for electricity the EV or PHEV battery. Taking both fuel vehicles? generated from power plants than from types into account, fuel costs for electric In general, HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs engines running on gasoline or diesel. drive vehicles are generally less than produce lower emissions than conven- However, emissions from electricity conventional vehicles due to the higher tional vehicles. Vehicle emissions can be production depend on the efficiency of the efficiency of electric motors. Electricity considered in terms of tailpipe emissions power plant and the mix of fuel sources prices also tend to be more stable than or well-to-wheel emissions. Tailpipe emis- used. To determine your region’s specific conventional fuel prices, allowing greater sions refer to emissions produced through fuel mix, as well as the emissions rates certainty when budgeting for fuel costs. fuel combustion during a vehicle’s opera- of electricity in your zip code, see EPA’s tion. Well-to-wheel emissions take into Power Profiler www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/( consideration the production and distri- energy-and-you/how-clean.html). Where can I learn bution of the fuel as well as the actual more about electric operation of the vehicle. All-electric vehicles do not produce drive vehicles? tailpipe emissions, so EVs are considered HEV tailpipe emissions vary by vehicle, zero-emission vehicles by EPA. How- For additional information, refer to fuel, and type of hybrid power system. ever, as with PHEVs, there are emissions the AFDC’s Hybrid & Plug-In Electric Because HEVs generally achieve better associated with most U.S. electricity pro- Vehicles section, created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory fuel economy than comparable con- duction. If electricity is generated from (www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/vehicles/ ventional vehicles, they produce lower nonpolluting, renewable sources, EVs electric.html). emissions. have the potential to produce zero well-to- wheel emissions.

EERE Information Center Prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 1-877-EERE-INFO (1-877-337-3463) (NREL), a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of www.eere.energy.gov/informationcenter Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; NREL is operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC. Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, DOE/GO-102011-3386 • October 2011 including 10% post consumer waste.