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Hybrid Vehicle Research Paper

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Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Their Advantages

'The HEV [Hybrid Electric Vehicle] concept goes back to 1905. On November 23 of that year, American engineer H. Piper filed for a patent on a hybrid vehicle. Piper's design called for an electric motor to augment a gasoline engine'(1, pg 2) and thus, the HEV was born. Hybrid Electric Vehicles, otherwise known as HEVs are vehicles that 'combine the internal combustion engine of a conventional vehicle with the battery and electric motor of an electric vehicle'(2).

In this day and age car manufactures are trying to out-compete one another in terms of car features and sales. Technology has come a long way since 1905 but the principle is still the same: to produce …show more content…

Those who may doubt the potential for HEVs may ask: ?Why HEVs?? The Office of Transportation Technologies makes the following points about HEVs:

?The practical benefits of HEVs include improved fuel economy and lower emissions compared to conventional vehicles?Hybrids will never be true zero-emission vehicles, however, because of their internal combustion engine. But the first hybrids on the market will cut emissions of global warming pollutants by a third to a half, and later models may cut emissions by even more?(2).

Although hybrid vehicles are not zero emission vehicles, they are a very good alternative to the conventional vehicles that are on the road today. With the capability to have a higher fuel economy and emit lower amounts of pollution, hybrids are strong contenders against such vehicles as SUVs (sports utility vehicles).

Another advantage that HEVs have is that they are competitively priced with other vehicles on the market today.

?The HEVs available for sale are very cost competitive with similar conventional vehicles. Any cost premium that may be associated with HEVs of the future can be off-set by overall fuel savings and possible incentives?(2).

As a result of not having a very high price tag, in comparison with standard vehicles, HEVs are

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