Hybrid and Electric Automotive Systems: Combined Electrical, Mechanical, and Fuel Cell Opportunities for Personal Transportation

Electric automobiles are clean, efficient, and powerful but are limited in range. Hybrid designs seek to enhance range through the use of liquid fuel. The energy, force, and power needs of a typical car are reviewed. The relationship to fuel cells as energy sources is discussed. Opportunities in the electrical arena, the mechanical arena, and the fuel cell arena are presented. Two commercial hybrid vehicle examples are presented. The convergence of developments in these areas are dominate hybrid designs as commercial production continues to ramp up.