Technology Articles
Tech Tidbits: Hybrid hybrids?
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Plug in Your Hybrid?
Hybrid cars as we know — and love — them make their own electricity. In fact, it's seen as a distinct advantage that they never need to be plugged in. Yet the idea of a plug-in hybrid is not contradictory. Such a vehicle could have a larger battery pack than a conventional hybrid. And, thus, it could run in purely electric mode for longer periods. The battery would be recharged primarily while parked — and plugged into the conventional power grid.
Proponents claim such electric power is inherently less expensive than that generated on-board. Also, they say there's less pollution. Researchers at the University of California Davis are looking into the concept. DaimlerChrysler has converted some Sprinter commercial vans to plug-in hybrid format, though the company says it's simply a research program. Renault has a plug-in hybrid version of its small Kangoo van.
On the other hand, I wouldn't put much stock in hobbyists filling the cargo area of their Prius hybrids with motorcycle bat-teries. Toyota devoted considerable R&D into crashworthiness, and I'd hate to see this all wasted.
Prius Power
In fact, it's said that some Toyota Prius owners have modified their own cars for plug-in capability. The company opposes this, as it voids the warranty and could damage the electronic controls.
What's more, given the ultra-clean nature of the Prius's gasoline engine, it's not impossible that a plug-in source of electricity could be dirtier than the Prius's on-board generation.
The Prius, unlike some Eastern power plants, doesn't cause acid rain.
By the way, unlike our version, Prius hybrids in Europe and Asia have an instrument-panel button that briefly transforms its propulsion to electric-only. According to Toyota, this allows drivers in crowded or restricted areas to move their cars short distances without firing up the internal-combustion engine.
Lots of European cities have concentric ring roads, with increasingly restricted vehicular traffic further in. There, such pure-electric short-range capability would be advantageous. It would seem to make less sense, however, in our typical urban sprawl.
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Internal-Combustion Engine, But Didn't Even Know to Ask
It is with some trepidation — especially this time of year — that I recommend a book costing $150, all the more when it is specifically intended as a reference tool for specialists. But, gad, the Internal Combustion Engine Handbook is so chock-full of technical tidbits that it could support this column from here to eternity.
For instance, its section on variable valve actuation offers details of the earliest attempt, circa 1918, as well as Audi's, BMW's, Honda's, Porsche's and Toyota's latest.
