Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Since the beginning of the 20th century the automobile has been Americans’ primary transportation source. Automobiles come in all shapes, sizes, and styles and are designed for a variety of purposes. Today most automobiles use gasoline or diesel fuel to power their internal combustion engines. The exhausts from these engines produce pollution that damage the environment and are known to contribute to global climate changes such as the greenhouse effect. At the turn of the 21st century, as oil and energy demands have increased with the growing world population, the prices of gasoline and diesel have steadily risen. Along with the growing concerns over vehicle emission and pollution, there has been a growing need for transportation solutions that do not solely depend on gasoline, diesel, or other oil derivative products.In an attempt to reduce vehicles emissions and gasoline reliance, a set of electric vehicles was developed in the 1990s. The lack of gasoline based propulsion from these cars resulted in decreased fuel costs (since electricity was cheaper than gas) and zero vehicle emissions. However, the attempt failed due to limited battery range (only about 100 miles), apparent lack of demand, conflict with the interests of oil companies, and other reasons. These cars failed to become a successful transportation solution in the United States.More recently, in the same attempt to reduce vehicle emissions and gasoline reliance, hybrid electric vehicles have been developed to more efficiently power the vehicle by combining the internal combustion engine with an electric engine. While these vehicles are able to reduce emissions and improve gas mileage, the question remains: what other transportation solutions are available? One promising solution is a vehicle that combines ideas from the electric car and the hybrid electric car. These are known as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). It is hoped that these vehicles will prove a viable solution to many of today’s energy and environmental concerns.

Bush, G.W. (2008). President Bush Attends Washington International Renewable Energy Conference 2008. Retrieved March 6, 2008, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080305.html

Bush, G.W. (2007). Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Retrieved March 29, 2008, from http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sap/110-1/hr6sap-s_2.pdf

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