The Batteries Are Included
By NORMAN MAYERSOHNSEPT. 11, 2008UNTIL there is a breakthrough in battery technology, most cars with electric powertrains will be some form of hybrid, using a fuel-burning engine to drive the wheels or charge the batteries (or both). Here is a general overview of the different types of hybrids. A category called mild hybrids, which offer a modest contribution from their electric motors, is not shown.
PARALLEL HYBRIDThe Toyota Prius is a hybrid powered for short distances by an electric motor; at higher speeds a gasoline engine drives the wheels and turns a generator to recharge the batteries. The two power sources are said to work in parallel.SERIES HYBRIDThe Chevrolet Volt is designed to travel 40 miles on batteries.
Its gas engine generates electricity to recharge the batteries, but it never powers the wheels. Because the engine's power output goes through the electric drive motor, it is called a series design.PLUG-ING.M. has announced that it will offer a plug-in version of the Saturn Vue crossover that will drive up to 15 miles on batteries.
The gas engine will be able to drive the wheels and recharge the battery, or the Vue can be replenished by plugging into a standard socket.PURE ELECTRICCars like the Tesla Roadster drive strictly on the power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Tesla says the car will go 244 miles on battery power and recharge in 3.
5 hours using a special high-power connector; there is no provision to recharge while driving.A version of this article appears in print on , on Page AU1 of the New York edition with the headline: The Batteries Are Included. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|SubscribeWe're interested in your
PARALLEL HYBRIDThe Toyota Prius is a hybrid powered for short distances by an electric motor; at higher speeds a gasoline engine drives the wheels and turns a generator to recharge the batteries. The two power sources are said to work in parallel.SERIES HYBRIDThe Chevrolet Volt is designed to travel 40 miles on batteries.
Its gas engine generates electricity to recharge the batteries, but it never powers the wheels. Because the engine's power output goes through the electric drive motor, it is called a series design.PLUG-ING.M. has announced that it will offer a plug-in version of the Saturn Vue crossover that will drive up to 15 miles on batteries.
The gas engine will be able to drive the wheels and recharge the battery, or the Vue can be replenished by plugging into a standard socket.PURE ELECTRICCars like the Tesla Roadster drive strictly on the power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Tesla says the car will go 244 miles on battery power and recharge in 3.
5 hours using a special high-power connector; there is no provision to recharge while driving.A version of this article appears in print on , on Page AU1 of the New York edition with the headline: The Batteries Are Included. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|SubscribeWe're interested in your
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