Lecture Notes: Understanding Electrified Vehicles

Introduction

• Speaker: Dan Edmonds, automotive journalist and engineer
• Purpose: To clarify the confusion around hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs)

Electrification Overview

• Electrification involves vehicles with some degree of electric drive
• Includes fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and non-plug-in gasoline hybrids

Understanding Vehicle Efficiency

• Traditional MPG vs. MPGE for electrified cars
  • MPGE: Attempt to equate fuel efficiency in understandable terms
  • Focus on kilowatt hours per 100 miles for electric vehicles
• Kilowatt hour: Measurement of electricity (power over time)
  • Example: 1000-watt consumption for 1 hour = 1 kilowatt hour

Types of Electrified Vehicles

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

• Definition: Vehicles powered solely by electricity (BEVs)
• Characteristics:
  • No gasoline engine or tailpipe
  • Large electric motors and batteries (32-100+ kWh)
• Efficiency:
  • Most efficient: ~25 kWh per 100 miles
  • Less efficient: 40+ kWh per 100 miles
• Range & Charging:
  • Daily charging at home is typical
  • DC fast charging for longer trips
  • Home charging stations recommended for >30 miles/day
• Best For: Homeowners, multi-car households, consistent nightly charging

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

• Definition: Vehicles that run on electricity first, then gasoline
• Characteristics:
  • Medium-sized batteries (up to 16 kWh)
  • Electric motor and gasoline engine
• Efficiency & Range:
  • Electric range: 17-53 miles
  • MPGE is not a practical measure
• Best For: Homeowners with one car, limited charging access, desire flexibility of both electric and gasoline propulsion

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

• Definition: Pure gasoline-powered with electric motor support
• Characteristics:
  • Cannot be plugged in
  • Use regenerative braking to charge battery
• Efficiency:
  • High MPG due to energy recovery systems
• Best For: Apartment dwellers, high gas mileage seekers, no charging access needed

Conclusion

• Electrification does not mean the end of gasoline engines
• Provides a range of vehicle choices:
  • EVs for full electric use
  • PHEVs for mixed use
  • HEVs for gasoline with electric efficiency boosts
• Encouragement to explore different options based on personal needs

For more details, visit the speaker's website (humorously corrected to Edmunds.com).