Electric Hybrid

Monday 7 September 2009

Hybrid electric systems have much higher energy storage capacity, and generally have low to moderate power capabilities. Hybrid electric systems can also provide engine off PTO capability for those needing worksite hydraulic operations and an auxiliary electric power source from the vehicle, making them valuable in vehicles whose workday takes them off the highway and to a jobsite, where the truck's power is used to operate other tools and equipment.Hybrid electric vehicles also require an unprecedented level of integration and partnership between truck makers, engine manufacturers and suppliers of the drivetrain and major electrical components. Eaton's strategy includes early and significant collaboration with truck OEMs, engine manufacturers and key technology / component suppliers.Eaton couples a vehicle’s diesel engine with an electric motor / generator and batteries to create Eaton’s patented hybrid electric system.The hybrid electric system maintains conventional drivetrain architecture – such as Eaton’s Fuller® UltraShift® automated transmissions – while adding the ability to augment engine torque with electrical torque.

The sharply rising crude oil prices have put a technical challenge to the automotive sector to reduce the fuel consumption. Automotive business is looking towards electric vehicles to reduce the dependence on oil. However, battery technology development has been found deficient to support electric vehicles. Fuel cell powered vehicles are being sought as permanent solution but infrastructural demands of transporting hydrogen currently cloud their progress. Hybrids assimilation of electric vehicles and current IC engine based vehicles have been shown to reduce fuel consumption by Toyota (Prius, Lexus RX- 400h), Honda (Insight, Civic) and Ford (Escape).