Hybrid Cars Technology - Coursework Example

Research project on Innovation of hybrid cars Name Institution Subject Instructor Date Abstract The report provides an understanding into hybrid vehicle technology and how it has been integrated into the society. Similarly, it looks into the innovations which have been done in the industry and the positive impacts they have had in the hybrid vehicles. This is done to check whether the innovations have met the expectations of customers in terms of either, environmental protection or efficiency in consumption. In the study, it is evident that there have been several drawbacks which include; reducing the fuel efficiency of the vehicles leading to high cost that saw customers turn away. The paper also elucidates how hybrid vehicles have been explored in various parts of the world. Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 1.0 Introduction 4 1.1Criticism against the Hybrid 4 3.0 The shortfalls of the hybrid car 5 4.0 Diesel hybrid Vehicles in Europe 6 5.0 Diesel Hybrid in Asia 6 6.0 The Hybrid Air, an Innovative full hybrid gasoline system 7 7.0Recent Innovations and discoveries in the electric and hybrid cars 7 Recommendations 8 1.0 Introduction There has been a lot of clamor about going green and making the environment much cleaner. This has been the song in the industrialization and the transportation sector. Lots of advertisements performed aim to shift people from the gasoline to hybrid vehicles since; they tend to be environment friendly as well as save the money that is used on fuel (Anderson & Anderson, 2010). The clamor to develop green technologies arises from the fact that, the atmosphere is changing rapidly. This change in atmosphere is due to man’s activity, industrialization, transport and waste. The great levels of pollutants are usually emitted into the atmosphere causing greenhouse effect that leads to global warming. This has adverse effects which cause melting of ice caps that would in turn lead to rise in sea levels. Arguably, the industries are the majority contributors to the gases emitted into the atmosphere. Apparently, each motor vehicle emits some gases either while in the production line or being driven. Nitrogen, hydrocarbons and the oxides of carbon are the main gases that are emitted in the atmosphere (Hantula & Voege, 2010). In the recent past, most include would purchase the vehicles for fun, necessity or for vanity. This would contribute. The main aim of this paper is to establish the innovation of the hybrid cars and study their evolution process. 1.1Criticism against the Hybrid Experts have been critical in the adoption of the hybrid vehicles with most arguing that, saying that these vehicles consume more and emit more gases in their production than the conventional gasoline vehicles. This arises due to the fact that , there is need for high levels of materials needed in the manufacture of hybrid vehicles (Boothroyd, 2012). On the other hand the opponents argue that, the purchase of the hybrid does not amount to such a great investment since, it takes too long for it to break even. This calls for reinventing on the techniques used in the production of hybrid vehicles. They have to consume less fuel as well as, have low energy consumption. Essentially, these have been the basic factors leading to the recent innovations in the hybrid technology. 2.0 Recent innovations Consequently, the hybrid vehicles have been designed such that, they have an engine that operates efficiently on gasoline. Similarly, the engine eliminates the possibility of fuel loss. This has been attained be the design technique that ensures that engine automatically goes off when the car is not running (Hantula & Voege, 2010). This factor is beneficial to many people who use automobile as; most of them would not witch off the engine. With the introduction of the hybrid cars, the engine would be switched off automatically, hence economizing on fuel. Additionally, the car provides great satisfaction and comfort when it is being driven. This is attributed to the fact that, it is in light weight and has efficient braking systems. The hybrid’s braking system is connected with an electric motor. This operates by the principle of regeneration whereby, when the speed of the car reduces; the motor is regenerated making the power to maintain its flow. This would ensure the car maintains smooth speed. Consequently, its lightweight coupled with the narrow tires enables it to make stiff turns in lanes easily. 3.0 The shortfalls of the hybrid car The main disadvantage of these vehicles is the high cost associated with them. This is because these vehicles are foreign manufactured. The hybrid vehicles that operate on diesel and electric power are the most expensive (Anderson & Anderson, 2010). The limitation in knowledge about its technology makes it to be manufactures in small numbers. This contributes to its unavailability as most manufacturers are yet to adapt this. 4.0 Diesel hybrid Vehicles in Europe For the past years, giant car manufacturers like Volkswagen have produced diesel hybrid vehicles for sale in Europe. The hybrid brand under Volkswagen constitutes to Polo, Golf and the Jetta. This company has not yet communicated its release of Diesel hybrid for the U.S market. Additionally, the use of inverters and batteries in the US is manifested by its market size share as indicated in Table1 Table 1 Market size of electric motors, inverters and batteries (Boothroyd, 2012) Year Sales(000000) 2004 150 2006 200 2008 400 2010 520 2012 600 5.0 Diesel Hybrid in Asia The three main Japanese car manufacturers, constitutes of the Nissan, Toyota and Honda. Toyota. Similarly, it is possible for one to visit Japan and import a diesel hybrid car. Available Hybrid cars include the; Ford Escape, Toyota Camry, and Lexus RX400h among other models. The Honda Insight 2006 and the Honda Accord 2007 are some of the models that have been faced out of the market. (Boothroyd, 2012). 6.0 The Hybrid Air, an Innovative full hybrid gasoline system The PSA Peugeot Citroen is currently developing an all-new technology combining both the gasoline IC and compressed air storage to ensure there is minimal pollution of the environment. The “Hybrid Air” will ensure efficiency levels of up to 2l/100 km. This major innovation lies in the adaption of powertrain to driving styles making it possible to adjust independently to either gasoline or air when used together. This technology will be fitted into the B segment models by 2016. This ensures there is smooth transmission, that enables the car to operate on automatic mode. 7.0Recent Innovations and discoveries in the electric and hybrid cars Recently, there has been a major technological breakthrough in the hybrid and electric vehicles. In the hybrid cars, there are safety switches that automatically cut high power into the system in case there is a collision in the event that this system short circuit’s a fuse opens cutting off power from the battery. Also, the cables are isolated from the chassis to prevent any contact (Anderson & Anderson, 2010). These shutdowns cut power from battery to the motors but the batteries remain energized. Consequently, the hybrid system shuts down when the fuse is removed, the battery is disconnected or the ignition turned off. These major technological breakthroughs include: Hybrid Cars Lithium Ion Batteries: This is being researched at the Sandia National Laboratory is on ways in which the hybrid car batteries can be improved. Consequently, MIT researchers have developed a new type of the lithium battery that proves to be cheaper, as currently the lithium batteries lack rapid charging capabilities or the required safety needed for use in hybrid cars (Juettner, 2009). Currently, hybrid cars run on nickel metal hydride batteries to power an electric motor and can recharge while the car is decelerating or standing still but the lithium nickel manganese oxides are seen to revolutionize the hybrid car. The hydroelectric powered generator: This contributes to the cars that hydrogen which are seen to make a major contribution in saving the environment. The scientists from The University of Bath have devised a material which stores and releases hydrogen at room temperature (Boothroyd, 2012). This is seen as a major contributor to clean energy for the future. The consulting firm in Britain that developed a diesel hybrid rain. It attributes to the usage of dual mode hybrid that would replace the clutches and the gear sets. 8.0 Conclusions In conclusion, most of the customers have shown positive response on the introduction of hybrid cars. This has been attributed to the fact that it offers great environmental protection properties. It also offers high fuel efficiency that makes it accepted by most customers. The technological innovations will also bring forth a more comfortable and reliable that would foresee a major boost in the car sales. This calls for the invention of better ways of producing the hybrid vehicles that would consume less fuel as well as, meet the customers taste. This evident from the above discussions that the hybrid cars are very efficient and should be adopted by most manufacturers so as they can be mass produced. This would ensure that the environment is preserved as they do not pollute the environment to a greater extent Recommendations It is recommended that the manufacturers adopt other ways of manufacturing the hybrid cars to ensure that they are more affordable. On the other hand, fuel management in the hybrid car should be optimized to its maximum. This would provide greater mileage of the cars. The design should also consider employing hydrogen gas as it is a better component in providing fuel with water upon combustion but its use is limited by the lack of a safe and efficient system for storage. . References Anderson, C. D., & Anderson, J. (2010). Electric and Hybrid Cars: A History. Jefferson: McFarland & Co., Publishers. Boothroyd, J. (2012). From the Model T to hybrid cars how transportation has changed. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co. Hantula, R., & Voege, D. (2010). How do hybrid cars work?. New York: Chelsea Clubhouse. Juettner, B. (2009). Hybrid cars. Chicago, Ill: Norwood House Press. Read More