A PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) is a vehicle that has batteries on board that can now be charged via the standard household electrical outlet. PHEVs still have the internal combustion engine and the batteries they were manufactured with, they have just had that one modification made. Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles have an advantage in that when they run only on their electrical charge, they a further reduction of 20% to 30% in energy consumption over what would be used running the gasoline engine. This is great for the consumer as well as the environment, since these cars make that much less greenhouse gas and overall pollution.

The first Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles to be made by the commercial automakers should be produced in 2009, with other companies following in 2010. As was alluded to in the beginning, it is actually possible to have a PHEV right this moment through conversion kits. That Prius you see everyday on the way to work may just be a PHEV.

These plug in style hybrid vehicles are often driven in a mode that is known as charge depleting mode, at least at first, where they are running exclusively from cheaper battery power. However, once the battery power reaches a certain level of depletion, then the internal combustion engine is going to kick in. The more advanced types of PHEVs can use what is known as blended mode, allowing them to drive in the different modes depending on what maximum level of energy efficiency can be achieved during a long trip.

As of now, it is currently unclear as to what the range will be for all-electric driving using the newer models of PHEVs, but it should also be relatively easy to determine, because it is likely that most of these vehicles are going to come in a number of denominations, such as the PHEV 50, which would have a 50-mile range for all electric driving.

Plug in style hybrid electric vehicles are soon going to be available on the mass commercial market. They are likely going to be a significant means for reducing our world’s dependence on fossil fuels while simultaneously reducing our contributions to global warming as well as the financial and economic stress that is placed on people that cannot afford traditional vehicles, or to keep their vehicle filled with gasoline. For all of these great reasons, we should all be hoping that the PHEV technology continues to develop so that it can be a widespread method of transportation, as well as a preferred method of transportation for many people around the country.

Photo Credits: MattHurst

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