The Hybrid EV Imperative

The Hybrid EV Imperative

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Msc

What is an electric vehicle (EV)?

Any vehicle propelled by an electric drivetrain, taking electric power from a portable, electrical energy source.

What are different types of EV?

1. Full EV

• also known as plug-in or battery EV.
• No IC engine so no tail-pipe emissions
• Larger battery of 20 – 120 kWh.
• Only be charged from grid.

2. Hybrid EV

• IC engine is used to produce electricity using electric generator.
• Small battery of 1 – 5 kWh is used as energy buffer.
• Battery cannot be charged from the grid.

3.   Plug-in hybrid EV

• Hybrid EV with much larger battery of 5 – 15 kWh.
• Battery can also be charged from grid.
•  Can operate as full EV.

4.   Fuel-cell EV

•  Uses fuel-cell to produce electricity
•  A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity.

What are the different measures of emissions for EVs?

1.   Wheel to wheel Emissions

• Tail-pipe emissions
  •  Amount of pollutants from exhaust gases of IC engine.
  • A full EV or Plug-in EV has no ICE hence no tail pipe emission
• From fuel production – electricity or fossil fuels
  • Depending on whether source is renewable or no-renewable

2.   Life-cycle emissions

• More comprehensive index
• Includes emissions due to –

1. Wheel to wheel emissions
2. vehicle and battery production
3. maintenance
4. end-of-life recycling

How EVs are better compared to conventional ICE?

1.   Environmental impact: Zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
2.   Higher efficiency in converting energy to power at the wheels.
3.   Lower operating costs
4.   Quiet and smooth operation
5.   Reduced dependence on fossil fuels
6.   Regenerative braking
7.     Capturing energy during braking to increase efficiency and extend range.
8.   Renewable energy integration
9.   Public health benefits
10.     Improved air quality, especially in urban areas
11.   Reduced noise pollution.

What are the challenges to transitioning to EVs?

1.   Lack of fast charging infrastructure
2.     Range – anxiety of people for longer distances
3.   High capital and installation cost of charger
4.     High variations in capacity (generally, 50 – 350 kWh for cars and up to 1000 kWh for heavy-duty vehicles
5.   Requirement of high-capacity connections (new transformer)
6.   Non availability and accessibility of grid in developing nations
7.   Mass-market point of cars are much lower in developing nations compared to developed nations due to –
8.     Higher battery costs.
9.   Sub-optimal battery technology
10.   Persistent resistance to change due to lack of awareness

How hybrid EVs and Plug-in hybrid EVs is a better option for this transition?

1. Better fuel economy
   1. Hybrid EV – 1.5-2x times higher than conventional IC engine
   2. Plug-in Hybrid EV –
      • 3-4x times higher fuel economy as it can cover short, day to day commutes in full electric mode
2. Lower net emissions
   1. Depending on extent of decarbonisation of grids of different countries
   2. According to International council of clean transportation, the lifecycle emissions of hybrid EVs with that of conventional EVs in Europe has 20-23% lower emissions
3. No need of new infrastructure
4. purchase price is only 5 – 15% higher than conventional vehicles and is independent of the vehicle range
5. Quieter operation, especially in electric-only mode.
6. No range anxiety
7. No need of large batteries

What are the challenges of Hybrid EVs in particular?

1.   Higer emissions compared to full EVs charging through renewable energy.
2.   Limited all electric range
3.   Lack of innovation and development due to future market focus on full EVs.
4.   Complex electronics and higher cost of repairs
5.   Reduced fuel economy over time

How to overcome these challenges?

1.   Regenerative braking for hybrid EVs
2.   An engine start-stop mechanism to save fuel at traffic junctions and in heavy traffic.