The Conversion of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle into a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Abstract

Towards low carbon living and clean air quality is CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd. (CLP)'s energy vision and to achieve this goal, the promotion of a cleaner mode of transportation in Hong Kong has been one of CLP's key green initiatives. Recently, CLP has successfully converted a few Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Different from the HEV, a PHEV allows the driver to plug into a socket to connect the vehicle to the electrical grid to charge its larger battery pack that replaced the original smaller one. The objective of the conversion exercise is to test the capability and gauge the benefits of the converted PHEV to run on electricity as much as possible, whilst keeping the capability to switch back to conventional combustion engine if required for longer trips. This paper addresses the conversion technical details and shares the operation experience of employing a PHEV in the corporate fleet as well as discusses the underlying business assessment of such exercise. The benefits achieved with the PHEV in terms of reduced emissions and fuel cost savings are also reviewed.

Assessing and promoting eco-policies in Toyota City, Japan

“…An HEV has an electric motor and battery pack in addition to the standard internal combustion engine (ICE). The battery in an HEV is lighter and smaller than that in a pure EV because the ICE produces most of the power to drive the HEV (van Woo et al 2012). A PHV is similar to an HEV except that it has a larger rechargeable battery that can be charged by both the vehicle's ICE and by a plug-in electrical outlet.…”

“…A PHV is similar to an HEV except that it has a larger rechargeable battery that can be charged by both the vehicle's ICE and by a plug-in electrical outlet. Thus, a PHV can greatly extend an original ICE's driving range by two to four times with the same amount of gasoline (van Woo et al 2012). The market of NGCs is expected to grow rapidly because they produce significantly less CO2 emissions and are increasingly subsidized by many governments pursuing low-carbon societies (Woodcock 2012) including Toyota City.…”

Underlying Gaps between Environmental Knowledge and Behavior in the City of Toyota

“…EVs are cost-efficient because the electricity costs less than oil fuel. PHVs have rechargeable batteries and standard combustion engines, which allows cars to drive two to four times more with the same amount of gasoline (Woo et al, 2012). Ha:mo consists of NAVI, an information system that supports low-carbon, seamless mobility and RIDE, a car sharing system that uses compact electric vehicles for urban short-distance transportation.…”