The Benefits of Plug-In Hybrid Cars

So, what are the benefits of plug-in hybrid cars? Plug-in hybrid drivetrains may seem like a complicated solution to a simple problem, but in reality they address the two fundamental issues that have prevented pure electric vehicles from becoming economically viable: range and weight.

Though battery technology has improved dramatically in recent years, the potential range of a pure electric vehicle is still below the roughly 300-miles of travel a typical consumer expects from a tank of gas.

According to Saturn, with a pure-electric range of up to 40 miles, the Vue plug-in hybrid will accommodate the 80 percent of consumers who live within a 20-mile radius of where they work. For these drivers, the gasoline engine would only be used to provide extra power for acceleration, passing, and merging.

Because the drivetrain is engineered for maximum efficiency in daily short-range driving, a plug-in hybrid is not saddled with what Saturn estimates is 400-600 pounds of additional battery capacity. 

Given that it should be possible to always drive a plug-in hybrid vehicle within the range of its plug-in battery capacity, and gently enough to avoid requiring power assistance from the engine, it is theoretically possible to never consume gasoline.

The Chevrolet Volt Concept
The Chevrolet Volt Concept was designed to showcase GM's growing ability
and ambition to create a plug-in electric vehicle that requires no gasoline.

More likely, fuel consumption would decrease dramatically in routine commuting, though the reduced cost of gasoline is offset to some extent by increased electricity usage.
 
Pure Plug-in Concepts:
The Chevrolet Volt Concept and Ford Edge with HySeries Drive

While Vue will be able to run on its gas engine after the battery's power is exhausted, Volt Concept's motor will soley get its power from the electric battery. This concept car is most notable for what it doesn't have than for what it does. Not a hybrid in the conventional sense, the Volt's gasoline engine never powers the vehicle's wheels. Instead, in the event that the car's plug-in charge is depleted, a small gasoline engine is used to power a generator that supplies back-up electricity. As the gasoline engine never provides power directly to the drive wheels, Volt does not require a conventional transmission.

Relatively light and compact, Volt's three-cylinder engine weighs less than a long-range battery pack might, and consumes less space. The gas backup provides an added dimension of range as well as flexibility, providing immediate power when time for a full battery charge may not be available.

Though displayed only with the gasoline engine at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chevrolet says that Volt's backup power could also be provided by a diesel engine or a hydrogen fuel cell.

While the stylized two-seat Volt is not a likely candidate for production, its gas-assisted electric drivetrain may someday find its way into Chevrolet's lineup.

Ford Edge
Ford Edge with HySeries Drive takes the plug-in idea a bit further,
using a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell stack
for backup power instead of a gasoline-powered engine.

While more conventional in appearance, the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive Concept showcases technology very similar to Volt. Introduced at the 2007 Washington Auto Show, the Edge HySeries features electric drive with power coming from either a plug-in charged battery, or a hydrogen fuel cell.

Unlike the Volt Concept, which uses another power source to supplement the plug-in charge, Edge HySeries uses plug-in charging as a backup for the fuel cell.

Fuel cells, like the one in HySeries, create electricity-using hydrogen as fuel. Because hydrogen-filling facilities are scarce, the plug-in electric backup power source adds a much-needed dimension of range and safety.

While Volt is purely a concept vehicle, the Edge HySeries is completely functional, though a similar regular-production vehicle is unlikely in the near future.

These concepts from Chevrolet and Ford look down the road at another generation, one working toward the end goal of fossil-fuel independence. In time, they may be able to bridge the gap between gasoline and electric powered cars; making the goal of an automotive landscape virtually independent of fossil fuels a reality.  

For more information about hybrid cars, go to:
  • Hybrids come in many shapes and sizes. Read Consumer Guide's new-car reviews of all the latest Ford, Honda, Lexus, Saturn, and Toyota hybrid cars and trucks.
  • The Chevrolet Volt Concept was unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Click here for more Volt pictures and information.
  • Volt wasn't the only alternative fuel-powered concept car unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. Read about other fuel-cell, biofuel, and electric-powered vehicles on the stage.