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Diesel-Electric Hybrid

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A diesel-electric hybrid is a vehicle that is powered by both a diesel engine and an electric motor.

Hybrid vehicles have become popular for their ability to provide zero emissions when running on electricity and improved fuel economy on the road. Diesels are also popular, especially for public transportation and for heavy-duty trucks and in passenger vehicles in Europe, for their general thriftiness and plentiful torque. Diesel-electric hybrid combine the latest advances in hybrid vehicle technology with the inherent efficiency and reduced emissions of modern clean diesel technology to produce dramatic reductions in both emissions and fuel consumption. The diesel engine's high torque, combined with hybrid technology, may offer performance in a car of over 100 mpg US (2.35L per 100 km).

Nowadays most diesel vehicles, and therefore the diesel part of hybrids, have the advantage they can use 100% pure biofuels (biodiesel), so they can use but do not need petroleum at all.

Production so far has been limited to urban transit bus fleets. Diesels are not widely used for passenger cars in the United States, as US diesel fuel has long been considered very "dirty", with relatively high levels of sulfur and other contaminants in comparison to the Eurodiesel fuel in Europe, where greater restrictions have been in place for many years. Despite the "legally allowed" dirtier fuel, the US has tough restrictions on exhaust, and it has been difficult for car manufacturers to meet emissions levels given what is put into the engine. However, ultra-low sulfur diesel is set to be mandated in the United States in October 2006.

Technology

The diesel engine in a diesel-electric hybrid vehicle generates electricity for the electric motor, and in some cases can also power the vehicle directly. Unlike plug-in hybrids, diesel-electric hybrid vehicles generate all the electricity they need on-board, and never need to be recharged before use. The diesel fuel powers an internal combustion engine that is usually smaller (and therefore more efficient) than a conventional gas engine, and works in concert with an electric motor to provide the same power as a larger engine. The electric motor derives its power from an alternator or generator that is coupled with an energy storage device (such as a set of batteries or super capacitors).

Types of Diesel-Electric Hybrids

Series

Parallel

Advantages and Drawbacks

Diesel-Electric Vehicles

So far, production diesel-electric engines have mostly just appeared in mass transit buses. Current manufacturers of diesel-electric hybrid buses include New Flyer Industries, Gillig, Orion Bus Industries, and North American Bus Industries. In 2008, NovaBus will add a diesel-electric hybrid option as well.

In 2003 GM introduced a diesel hybrid military (light) truck, equipped with a diesel electric and a fuel cell auxiliary power unit. Hybrid light trucks were introduced 2004 by Mercedes (Hybrid Sprinter) and Micro-Vett SPA (Daily Bimodale). International Truck and Engine Corp. and Eaton Corp. have been selected to manufacture diesel-electric hybrid trucks for a US pilot program serving the utility industry in 2004. In mid 2005 Isuzu introduced the Elf Diesel Hybrid Truck on the Japanese Market. They claim that approximately 300 vehicles, mostly route buses are using Hinos HIMR (Hybrid Inverter Controlled Motor & Retarder) system.

PSA Peugeot Citroën offers PSA Peugeot Citroën has unveiled two demonstrator vehicles featuring a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain: the Peugeot 307 and Citroën C4 Hybride HDi (PDF).

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VW made a prototype diesel-electric hybrid car that achieved 118 mpg US fuel economy (2 liters per 100 km), but has yet to sell a hybrid vehicle.

General Motors has been testing the Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid.

Under development by General Dynamics Land Systems Division since 1997, the Shadow RST-V could potentially replace the U.S. military's fuel-thirsty HUMVEE. It uses less than 50 percent of the normal fuel weight of a HUMVEE, and runs on four magnet motors and two lithium-ion battery packs. But fuel efficiency wasn't the main goal - by operating on pure battery power, the Shadow's diesel-electric propulsion allows for silent movement for over 20 miles with very low thermal and acoustic signatures. [1]

The newest hybrid still yet to reach the market is the High-Power Biodiesel Hybrid (HPBH). These cars run on a hybrid engine with a mix of fuels and have excellent fuel efficiency and power. In 2006, Students from Philadelphia created a HPBH car which used soybean fuel that could go from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and still achieve 50 MPG.

External Links

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