Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) technology is receiving attention as an approach to reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil and emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from the transportation sector. Because plug-in vehicles require large batteries for energy storage, battery weight can have a significant impact on vehicle performance: Additional storage capacity increases the range that a PHEV can travel on electricity from the grid; however, the associated increased weight causes reduced efficiency in transforming electricity and gasoline into miles driven. We examine vehicle simulation models for PHEVs and identify trends in fuel consumption, operating costs, and GHG emissions as battery capacity is increased. We find that PHEVs with large battery capacity consume less gasoline than small capacity PHEVs when charged every 200 miles or less. When charged frequently, small capacity PHEVs are less expensive to operate and release fewer GHGs, but medium and large capacity PHEVs are more efficient for drivers that charge every 25–100 miles. While statistics on average commute length suggest that frequent charges are possible, answering the question of which PHEV designs will best help to achieve national goals will require a realistic understanding of likely consumer driving and charging behavior as well as future trends in electricity generation.
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ASME 2008 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference
August 3–6, 2008
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Design Engineering Division and Computers in Engineering Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4325-3
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Simulation: How Battery Weight and Charging Patterns Impact Cost, Fuel Consumption, and CO2 Emissions Available to Purchase
Richard Hauffe,
Richard Hauffe
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
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Constantine Samaras,
Constantine Samaras
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
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Jeremy J. Michalek
Jeremy J. Michalek
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
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Richard Hauffe
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Constantine Samaras
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Jeremy J. Michalek
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Paper No:
DETC2008-50027, pp. 969-976; 8 pages
Published Online:
July 13, 2009
Citation
Hauffe, R, Samaras, C, & Michalek, JJ. "Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Simulation: How Battery Weight and Charging Patterns Impact Cost, Fuel Consumption, and CO2 Emissions." Proceedings of the ASME 2008 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference. Volume 1: 34th Design Automation Conference, Parts A and B. Brooklyn, New York, USA. August 3–6, 2008. pp. 969-976. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/DETC2008-50027
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