Title: Understanding parasitic energy costs for PHEV conversion packs as we move toward V2G

Authors: Brian D. Viezbicke; Dunbar P. Birnie III

Addresses: Materials Science & Engineering Department, Rutgers University, 607 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. ' Materials Science & Engineering Department, Rutgers University, 607 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA

Abstract: Building practical plug-in electric vehicles is under way at many car companies around the world, though it is expected that they will not be widely available in the USA for quite some time. The ultimate vehicle cost is controlled substantially by the battery storage capacity required and this, in turn, is governed by the vehicle size and performance expected by consumers. The present paper examines the specific situation where existing hybrid vehicles might be converted to plug-in functionality by adding a supplementary battery pack to extend the driving range while keeping the electric/gasoline hybrid drive-train intact. We examine fuel efficiency from the standpoint of vehicle weight to extract system parameters that quantify the extra fuel consumption associated with driving a slightly heavier vehicle after plug-in conversion has been effected. We show that only modest additional battery capacity is required to meet most commuter needs in a cost-effective manner.

Keywords: energy costs; plug-in HEVs; hybrid electric vehicles; PHEVs; energy conversion; supplementary battery packs; driving range; fuel efficiency; battery capacity; commuter needs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEHV.2011.044386

International Journal of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, 2011 Vol.3 No.4, pp.309 - 317

Published online: 22 Dec 2011 *

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