Mixed-mode
Encyclopedia
Blended mode is a type of Charge-depleting
mode of operation of a Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in which a portion of the motive energy is supplied by the electric portion of the system whose batteries are recharged from an external source. To contrast, battery electric vehicle
s use only electricity
as their fuel source in a charge-depleting
manner, while existing hybrid electric vehicle
s use only gasoline for fuel in a charge-sustaining fashion. Both types use regenerative brake
s to recapture kinetic energy
, this should not be considered a fuel source but rather an efficiency aspect of these types of electric vehicle
powertrains not found in traditional ICE vehicles without regen. Blended mode uses both gas and electricity as fuels and as such reduces the amount of gas used while displacing it with electricity. In such a mode of operation the gas mileage might be measured as double or more the mileage had only gas been used, but one should not forget to consider the amount of electricity which was used, normally measured in kWh. Since the electric energy stored onboard is substantially less than that of a tank of gas, typically less than 1/4 gallon equivalent, the blended mode range might also be reported as the distance that the available battery capacity can sustain such a mode. Of course driving conditions and speeds effect the mileage and range just as it does a traditional ICE vehicles gas mileage. Such vehicles have unlimited range so long as a supply of gas is available and are able to operate as a gas only vehicle with normal mileage if not recharged, which isn't required. Most vehicles also have some amount of all-electric range
, and BEV's using pusher trailer
s or genset trailer
s can conversely give those vehicles unlimited range on gas as well as blended mode range.
Some early non-production Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
conversions
have been based on the version of Hybrid Synergy Drive
(HSD) found in the 2004 and 2005 model year Toyota Prius
. Early Pba
conversions by CalCars have demonstrated 10 miles (16.1 km) of ev-only and 20 miles (32.2 km) of double mileage blended mode range. A company planning to offer conversions to consumers named EDrive systems will be using Valence Li-ion batteries and have 35 miles (56.3 km) of electric range. Both of these systems leave the existing HSD system mostly unchanged and would be similarly simply to apply to other hybrid powertrain flavors. Simply replacing the stock NiMH with a higher capacity battery pack
and of course a charger to refill them for about $0.03 per mile from standard household outlets. Though the Honda
Integrated Motor Assist
(IMA) systems does not have low speed electric only abilities blended mode mileage could be greatly enhanced while displacing some of their gas consumption with electricity from external sources. The Advanced Hybrid System 2 (AHS2) could be offered with additional battery capacity and charging capabilities as an option, costing about $3000 if offered by the manufacturer. Though there are no plans to do so, this could prove an opportunity for General Motors and DaimlerChrysler
's to overtake others who presently dominate the hybrid market by delivering a markedly more versatile and fuel efficient Hybrid.
Charge-depleting
Charge-depleting or EV mode refers to a mode of vehicle operation that is dependent on energy from the battery pack. Battery electric vehicles operate solely in this mode...
mode of operation of a Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in which a portion of the motive energy is supplied by the electric portion of the system whose batteries are recharged from an external source. To contrast, battery electric vehicle
Battery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
s use only electricity
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
as their fuel source in a charge-depleting
Charge-depleting
Charge-depleting or EV mode refers to a mode of vehicle operation that is dependent on energy from the battery pack. Battery electric vehicles operate solely in this mode...
manner, while existing hybrid electric vehicle
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
s use only gasoline for fuel in a charge-sustaining fashion. Both types use regenerative brake
Regenerative brake
A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle or object down by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed...
s to recapture kinetic energy
Kinetic energy
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion.It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes...
, this should not be considered a fuel source but rather an efficiency aspect of these types of electric vehicle
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
powertrains not found in traditional ICE vehicles without regen. Blended mode uses both gas and electricity as fuels and as such reduces the amount of gas used while displacing it with electricity. In such a mode of operation the gas mileage might be measured as double or more the mileage had only gas been used, but one should not forget to consider the amount of electricity which was used, normally measured in kWh. Since the electric energy stored onboard is substantially less than that of a tank of gas, typically less than 1/4 gallon equivalent, the blended mode range might also be reported as the distance that the available battery capacity can sustain such a mode. Of course driving conditions and speeds effect the mileage and range just as it does a traditional ICE vehicles gas mileage. Such vehicles have unlimited range so long as a supply of gas is available and are able to operate as a gas only vehicle with normal mileage if not recharged, which isn't required. Most vehicles also have some amount of all-electric range
All-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
, and BEV's using pusher trailer
Pusher trailer
Pusher trailers are gasoline or diesel fueled trailers with a traditional internal combustion engine and transmission which can be hitched up to battery electric vehicles and run from the cockpit to give the vehicle increased range....
s or genset trailer
Genset trailer
A genset trailer is a range extending device for use with battery electric vehicles consisting of an internal combustion engine and an electrical generator . They run on traditional fuels such as gasoline or diesel and are sized to provide the continuous power requirements for the vehicle they are...
s can conversely give those vehicles unlimited range on gas as well as blended mode range.
Some early non-production Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle , plug-in hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid is a hybrid vehicle which utilizes rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source...
conversions
Electric vehicle conversion
An electric vehicle conversion is the modification of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle to electric propulsion, creating an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.-Elements of a conversion:...
have been based on the version of Hybrid Synergy Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive is a set of hybrid car technologies developed by Toyota and used in the company's Auris, Prius, Highlander Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Estima, Alphard, Lexus CT, Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h, Lexus GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h/LS 600hL, and Lexus HS 250h automobiles. Toyota also licenses its HSD...
(HSD) found in the 2004 and 2005 model year Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
. Early Pba
Lead-acid battery
Lead–acid batteries, invented in 1859 by French physicist Gaston Planté, are the oldest type of rechargeable battery. Despite having a very low energy-to-weight ratio and a low energy-to-volume ratio, their ability to supply high surge currents means that the cells maintain a relatively large...
conversions by CalCars have demonstrated 10 miles (16.1 km) of ev-only and 20 miles (32.2 km) of double mileage blended mode range. A company planning to offer conversions to consumers named EDrive systems will be using Valence Li-ion batteries and have 35 miles (56.3 km) of electric range. Both of these systems leave the existing HSD system mostly unchanged and would be similarly simply to apply to other hybrid powertrain flavors. Simply replacing the stock NiMH with a higher capacity battery pack
Battery pack
A battery pack is a set of any number of identical batteries or individual battery cells. They may be configured in a series, parallel or a mixture of both to deliver the desired voltage, capacity, or power density...
and of course a charger to refill them for about $0.03 per mile from standard household outlets. Though the Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
Integrated Motor Assist
Integrated Motor Assist
Integrated Motor Assist is Honda's hybrid car technology, introduced in 1999 on the Insight.It is a specific implementation of a parallel hybrid. It uses an electric motor mounted between the internal combustion engine and transmission to act as a starter motor, engine balancer, and assist...
(IMA) systems does not have low speed electric only abilities blended mode mileage could be greatly enhanced while displacing some of their gas consumption with electricity from external sources. The Advanced Hybrid System 2 (AHS2) could be offered with additional battery capacity and charging capabilities as an option, costing about $3000 if offered by the manufacturer. Though there are no plans to do so, this could prove an opportunity for General Motors and DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler
Daimler AG is a German car corporation. By unit sales, it is the thirteenth-largest car manufacturer and second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures buses and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm...
's to overtake others who presently dominate the hybrid market by delivering a markedly more versatile and fuel efficient Hybrid.