Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are nothing but a mixture of an electric vehicle and a conventional vehicle. Its battery can be charged externally. It has the benefits of both worlds. It is as energy conserving as the electric vehicles and as efficient as the conventional vehicles. But to know more about the plug-in hybrid, we must know when and where it all started. The history of electric vehicles go back to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. The first model electric vehicle is attributed to various people; in the year 1828, Anyos Jedlik invented an electric motor and created a model car. Thomas Parker built the first practical electric car in the year 1895. The above normal cost, low top speed, and short range electric vehicles saw their decline with the invention of electric starters by Charles Kettering. Henry Ford with the initiation of mass production of gas-powered vehicles brought prices down and ensured their demise. Although the history of PHEVs go way back in time, the development for commercial use took place after 2002. Plug-in electrical vehicles include Toyota Prius, Audi A3 e-tron, Lexus, Tesla Model 3. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles mainly comprises of four parts—Internal combustion engine, no emission electric motor, high performance series of rechargeable battery, and transmission system. In a plug-in hybrid electrical car, electrical motor and combustion engine work in perfect harmony to fulfill the needs of the vehicle. There can either be a single large battery or a series of Li-ion battery. The series of Li-ion battery ensures a bigger life span and increases the overall efficiency of the electric motor. As far as the working is concerned, the PHEVs use both the ICE and the electric motor. The electric motor works alone to provide the torque required to move the vehicle. This mode is called charge depletion mode where the battery is depleted. When the battery is no longer able to provide the motor, the internal combustion engine takes over control and the vehicle runs on fuel. An electric motor and ICE can work simultaneously to supply the demand. During all this, the kinetic energy developed while moving is used to charge the battery. This is called regenerative braking. PHEVs are not only environment friendly but also cost efficient. They are an upgradation to conventional hybrids. The battery can be charged by the grid. Although today the initial cost is high, which can be a disadvantage, but as the market grows the cost will eventually come down. For now, consider this as a day-to-day LED which is expensive in the beginning but helpful, efficient, and cost-friendly in the long run.