Lecture on Hybrid and Hydrogen Vehicles

Hybrid Vehicles

• Cruising and Recharging
  • Once at cruising speed, electric power in hybrids goes off.
  • Gasoline motor recharges the battery for future use.
• Regenerative Braking
  • Converts motion into electricity when braking instead of losing energy as heat.
  • Helps in energy recovery, reducing fuel consumption.

Efficiency of Hybrids

• Fuel Efficiency
  • Good hybrids like Toyota Prius improve efficiency from 10% to about 20%.
  • Doubles the gas mileage compared to conventional cars.
  • Prius can achieve around 60 miles per gallon compared to 30 in a conventional sedan.

Electric Vehicles

• All-Electric Cars
  • Include models like Volt, Leaf, Tesla.
  • Efficiency and environmental impact depend on the source of electricity (e.g., coal vs. solar/wind).

Types of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

• Plug-in Hybrids
  • Have larger batteries that can be charged from the wall.
  • Can operate without gas motor for short journeys.
• Extended Range Electric Vehicles
  • Operate purely on electric power until batteries deplete.
  • Gasoline motor present to recharge batteries if needed.

Fuel Cell Technology

• Fuel Cells for Energy
  • Convert hydrogen to energy without burning it.
  • Use two chambers with a membrane allowing protons through, blocking electrons.
  • Energy collected as electricity, not heat.
  • Waste product is water, no pollution.

Efficiency of Fuel Cells

• Comparison with Gasoline
  • Conventional cars might get 30 miles per gallon.
  • Hybrids get around 60 miles per gallon.
  • Fuel cell cars could theoretically reach 100-300 miles per gallon.

Hydrogen Powered Vehicles

• Toyota Mirai
  • Example of a fuel cell vehicle.
  • Hydrogen availability is a challenge (filling stations are limited).

Challenges and Development

• Infrastructure
  • Few hydrogen filling stations, primarily in California.
  • Barriers due to chicken-and-egg problem of demand and supply.

Political and Market Influences

• Governor Schwarzenegger's Influence
  • Promoted hydrogen vehicles.
  • Advocated for and oversaw construction of hydrogen stations in California.

Conclusion

• Future of Hydrogen and Electric Vehicles
  • Continued development needed for hydrogen fueling infrastructure.
  • Electric and hybrid technologies offer significant improvements in efficiency and emissions.