The popular Toyota Prius gas-electric hybrid has been sold internationally since 2001. It’s innovative design has set the standard for hybrid technology, achieving a combined city/highway fuel economy of 55 miles per gallon, with an emissions rating of Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV). The early success of the Prius has motivated other offerings in the growing hybrid market, such as the Honda Civic Hybrid,
or the Honda Accord “muscle hybrid”, with many others in the works.
The Prius defined the hybrid vehicle concept with these integrated features:

A 1.5 liter internal combustion engine producing 76 hp @ 5000 RPM, using the Atkinson Cycle to improve fuel economy.

2 permanent magnet AC synchronous motors producing 67 hp @1200-1540 RPM.

A nickel-metal hydride traction_battery producing 28 hp at 201.6 Volts.

A 50 kW microprocessor-controlled inverter, using insulated gate bipolar transistors, for driving the electric motors from the traction battery.

Regenerative braking to recover kinetic energy for charging the battery.

A computer-controlled continuously variable transmission.

The Prius produces net power of 110 hp using both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine. The power train is managed by the Hybrid Synergy Drive, Toyota’s name for a torque combiner and electric drive, controlled by computer. The vehicle can operate on just the battery, just the engine, or both. Typically, the Prius is in electric mode at low speed, and switches on the engine when needed for extra power and charging of the battery.
The 2004 to 2007 model of the Prius was redesigned as a midsize vehicle that is more powerful yet more fuel efficient than the 2001 model. Toyota is planning to redesign the Hybrid Synergy Drive to be lighter and cheaper, possibly with lithium-ion batteries for improved energy density. The next generation Prius will have plug-in charging capability, and is expected to attain fuel economy of 70 mpg.

The Prius produces 89 percent less smog-forming emissions than the average new car, one of the best ratings for the hybrid vehicles available so far. Consider what you can do about global warming, governmental legislation is only part of the solution. It’s up to each of us to do our part. Decreasing harmful emissions and dependence on foreign oil is within our grasp with hybrid technology. For a preview of future designs, see concept hybrids. For more information, see
wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius and hybridcars.com/compacts.

All electric cars are also becoming socially acceptable. In Salem, Electric Wheels Inc., 1555 12th St., has been doing brisk business with commuters.

This entry was posted on Friday, June 15th, 2007 at 6:04 pm and is filed under Energy Future, Environment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.