文档介绍：Hybrid Electric Vehicles
From the Alternative Vehicle Fact Sheet Series
What is a Hybrid Electric
Vehicle (HEV)?
A hybrid is any vehcile that uses two or
more sources of power. In today’s HEVs,
the two sources are electricity (from batter-
ies) and mechanical power (from a small
At full acceleration, the battery When decelerating or braking, the The engine shuts off when the car is
bustion engine). HEVs can adds its power to the mix, which regenerative braking system acts idling or if engine demand is low. The
provides a very smooth and as a generator to help recharge gasoline engine runs only as needed to
offer the very low emissions of electric powerful response. the battery. recharge the battery or run the air
conditioner, which is why the Prius never
vehicles with the power and range of gaso- has to be plugged in for recharging.
line vehicles. They also offer up to 30
more miles per gallon, perform as well or
better than, and are just as safe as any
comparable gasoline powered car. And,
they never have to be plugged in for
5
recharging!
Widespread use of HEVs would reduce
and the generator, can either charge the bat-
our nation’s growing dependence on foreign What is Regenerative
teries or power an electric motor that drives
oil, and reduce ozone precursor emissions Braking?
the wheels. When a driver slows down or steps on t