System design and development of hybrid electric vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric machines and an internal combustion engine (ICE) are a promising means of reducing emissions and fuel consumption without compromising vehicle functionality and driving performance. Reducing emissions is important because pollution in cities is almost entirely due to transport and is linked to the illness and death of many people. This paper describes the electrical components and overall system design of the Holden ECOmmodore HEV. The paper also describes how the system design was influenced by the roles expected of the car, where two issues of particular importance were system redundancy and protection.