Vehicle classification by propulsion system

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There are numerous versions of vehicle propulsion systems. Many of those came into fruition due to need for cleaner vehicles. Each of them might have many abbreviations and some might be misleading. This article explains shortly what defines them.

Contents

Vehicle Classification by Propulsion System

EV - Electric Vehicle

These vehicles are propelled by at least one electric motor. [1] [2] Good example is an electric locomotive that is drawing power directly from overhead wire or third rail. "Electric vehicle" is often cleverly interchanged with "Electrified vehicle" [3] which doesn't specify what kind of powertrain vehicle actually has. Electric vehicles do not have secondary source for propulsion, such as internal combustion engine that is mechanically linked to wheels. This term doesn't specify whether vehicle relies on external power source or has it on board.

Examples: Electric locomotive, Trolleybus

PEV - Plug-in Electric Vehicle

Alternative abbreviation: PIV (Plug-in Vehicle). Sometimes also called "Plug-in Electrified Vehicle". Widely spread vague terms for all vehicles that can be plugged in for recharging and move at least partially with electric propulsion [4]

BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle

Alternative abbreviations: EV (Electric Vehicle), AEV (All Electric Vehicle). These vehicles are propelled by at least one electric motor that gets the power from onboard battery. [5] Energy can temporarily be held in a different device (flywheel, supercapacitor). It is generally accepted to drop the word "Battery" for all vehicles that clearly have it on board. [6]

Examples: Electric car (Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S), Electric Forklift, Segway, Battery Electric Bus, Electric scooter.

HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Alternative abbreviation: FHEV (Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle). These vehicles are propelled by energy generated by internal combustion engine. [7] [6] Energy recuperated during deceleration or downhill driving is stored (usually in a battery - capacitor, flywheel & other methods are available) and used later for either engine assist, auxiliary functions or for propulsion without starting combustion engine for short distances. These vehicles do not have a socket therefore they cannot be recharged from the grid. All energy originates from combustion engine. HEV-s can be driven on electric power for short distances without running combustion engine.

Toyota made up a term "Self Charging Hybrid" which is very misleading. [8] It is actually just a Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It can charge from running combustion engine though doing this will use more fuel than just driving using power from engine directly.

Examples: Toyota Prius Hybrid.

MHV - Mild Hybrid Vehicle

Alternative abbreviation: MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle), Subtype of HEV. These are similar to Hybrid Electric Vehicles but can't be driven without the help of internal combustion engine. [9] MHV powertrain is usually less complex compared to HEV. Often Combustion Engine is equipped with compact belt driven 48V starter-generator motor that replaces starter and generator and a 48V battery is added. Due to higher voltage, more energy can be recuperated when decelerating or going downhill. Electric motor can start the engine with vehicle in gear making take-off with stalled combustion engine smooth and instantaneous. [10]

48V starter-generator can also be mounted differently and be uncoupled from combustion engine by transmission or clutch. This might allow 48V electric motor move the vehicle without starting combustion engine. In this case 48V equipped vehicle should be counted as Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

Examples: Hyundai Tucson 48V

Micro-Hybrid Vehicle

Confusing insufficiently distinguishable type of powertrain. Internal combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV) with automatic Start&Stop function and smart alternator is often called Micro-Hybrid Vehicle. [11] Often Start&Stop vehicle has beefier starter battery, rugged starter motor and maybe more powerful alternator though it is unspecified by how much. Micro Hybrid powertrain can not use stored power to help combustion engine move the vehicle because it doesn't have an electric motor that is engaged while vehicle is in motion. It has a starter. Like ICEV do. To avoid confusion it is not recommended to use a term that implies word "Hybrid" [12] on a vehicle that doesn't have secondary source for propulsion. Micro-Hybrid Vehicles should be counted as regular ICEV with auto Start&Stop function.

PHEV - Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

These vehicles are propelled by two or more energy sources. [13] One of them is electrical energy stored in a battery. The second one is combustion engine that either directly or indirectly turns the wheels. These vehicles can be used solely in electric mode and never run combustion engine. They can also run on fossil fuel and never be recharged though in this case they are no better than Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Usually electric range is significantly shorter than fossil fuel based range.

EREV - Extended Range Electric Vehicle

Alternative abbreviations: RExEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle), REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle), BEVx.[ citation needed ] Subtype of BEV. This vehicle is propelled by electric motor which is mostly powered by energy stored in a battery. If battery is depleted a secondary energy source, usually combustion engine driven electric generator, will kick in and provide power for electric motor to continue journey. Vehicle that will handle secondary energy source as the main one shall not be counted as Extended Range EV but rather regular PHEV. [14] Manufacturer has to discourage careless and unjustified use of range extender. [15] Vehicle has to be recharged from external source for next commute or be functionally noticeably limited in battery depleted mode: for example, limited performance, extended range shorter than electric range and limited top speed - these shall ensure significantly superior emission reductions compared to PHEVs over lifetime of the vehicle.

Widely sold series-production car that fits this classification is BMW i3 with Range Extender. This vehicle is unable to operate normally without recharging the battery after depletion. Range Extender is unable to generate enough power for normal acceleration and also heat up the cabin at the same time. Also generator is not going to last the lifetime of the vehicle as it was not designed to be used all the time. In US, fuel tank was artificially reduced in size to comply with CARB regulations. [16] Vehicles like Chevrolet Volt have generators that can power electric powertrain with no limitations and therefore should be counted as Extended Range Electric Vehicles.

Examples: BMW i3 REx

ICEV - Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle

These vehicles are propelled solely by internal combustion engine. Almost all vehicles have a starter motor that will crank the engine. Alternator is being fed by starter battery. That battery is recharged by alternator that is turned by engine. Electricity generated is used to recharge starter battery and also run all auxiliary functions like spark plugs, lights, fans. More advanced vehicles might be able to adjust alternator load according to circumstances. For example, allow alternator to run without load while accelerating (drawing all required auxiliary power from the battery) and charging starter battery at accelerated rate when slowing down and braking. This is unfoundedly called micro-hybrid powertrain likely as misleading marketing term. If any electric motor on board is able to apply torque to help the combustion engine that vehicle should be called Mild Hybrid Vehicle.

Examples: Regular car, motorcycle, truck

FCEV - Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

Alternative abbreviations: FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle), FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle), HFCV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle), HFCEV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle). This type is actually electric vehicle that is powered by electric energy generated using onboard fuel cell. Fuel cell uses hydrogen stored in hydrogen tanks and oxygen from the air to create water and electricity. Water is discarded but electricity is used for propulsion. Similarly to Hybrid Electric Vehicle, there is a small traction battery. That battery is used to capture energy while slowing down, driving downhill and also energy created by fuel cell in advance. Fuel cells are not instantaneous - there is a significant delay between driver request for acceleration and electricity generation - fuel cell must be blasted with hydrogen gas and fresh air for it to generate electricity. That delay is prevented by keeping some energy readily available in a battery, capacitor or flywheel. These vehicles do not have a socket therefore they cannot be recharged from the grid. All energy originates from fuel cell.

Example: Toyota Mirai

PFCV - Plug in Fuel Cell Vehicle

Alternative abbreviations: PFCEV (Plug in Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), PFCHV (Plug in Fuel Cell Hybrid vehicle), PFCHEV (Plug in Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric vehicle), PHFCEV (Plug in Hybrid Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle).[ citation needed ] This vehicle is very similar to Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle but has a socket and can be recharged from the grid. Battery likely is significantly larger - comparable to Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This vehicle type can be used solely on electricity charged by plugging in or solely on electricity generated by fuel cell.

Example: Mercedes Benz GLC F-CELL

Animal-Powered Vehicle

This vehicle is moved by an animal, usually a horse or donkey. Some vehicles were made mainly for people carrying and others mainly for goods. This was the main transportation method before the Industrial Revolution. [17]

Example: Horse-drawn Vehicle

HPV - Human-Powered Vehicle

This vehicle is powered by human - usually just one - the driver. There might be a buffering device like battery, capacitor of flywheel for kinetic energy recovery that can apply torque directly or with electric motor. But it can't be recharged without human effort.

Examples: bicycle, velotaxi (without socket for recharging)

HEHV - Human–Electric Hybrid Vehicle

This vehicle is powered either by human or stored electrical energy. Most likely it has a socket or retractable cable with a plug for battery recharge. Battery can also be removed and charged separately. Vehicle might also have solar panels and might be able to recharge the battery without human effort. If solar installation is able to generate significant portion of energy that vehicle might be considered as Solar-Human Hybrid Vehicle.

Example: electric bicycle (must have pedals)

SEV - Solar Electric Vehicle

Proposed abbreviation for vehicles that can recharge significant portion of their range with solar energy and do not have hybrid powertrain. The term "solar vehicle" usually implies that solar energy is used to power all or part of a vehicle's propulsion. [18] Therefore, at least half of useful battery capacity (half of vehicle range) must be recharged without plugging in normal operation scenarios such as during a day.

Vehicles that have longer range therefore must capture more solar energy. Vehicles that are unable to charge more than half of their regular range with solar energy can still be called mildly solar powered if they can get at least some of the range from solar energy.

Examples: Solar plane, Mars rover.

CAV - Compressed-Air Vehicle

Vehicle that is propelled by expansion of compressed atmospheric gas. If vehicle has a secondary energy source for propulsion it should be counted as CAHV - Compressed Air Hybrid Vehicle.

Nuclear-Powered Vehicle

Vehicle with a nuclear reactor on board that generates energy for vehicle propulsion. Nuclear decay creates steady source of heat for years that can be used directly or converted into electricity. Often battery is added to meet peak demands of the vehicle. [19]

Examples: Nuclear submarine, Voyager spacecraft, Perseverance (rover).

ECE Vehicle - External Combustion Engine Vehicle

External Combustion Engine (EC Engine or ECE [20] in short) is a historical engine type. [20] This engine was powerful, but expensive to build. Steam locomotives and steam cars were External Combustion Engine driven Vehicles (or ECEV) are not used nowadays. They have been replaced by Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (or ICEV).

Examples: Steam Locomotive, Steam Car

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric boat</span> Type of watercraft

An electric boat is a powered watercraft driven by electric motors, which are powered by either on-board battery packs, solar panels or generators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid vehicle</span> Vehicle using two or more power sources

A hybrid vehicle is one that uses two or more distinct types of power, such as submarines that use diesel when surfaced and batteries when submerged. Other means to store energy include pressurized fluid in hydraulic hybrids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle</span> Vehicle propelled by one or more electric motors

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. It can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or it can be powered autonomously by a battery. EVs include but are not limited to road and rail vehicles, and broadly can also include electric boat and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powertrain</span> System that powers a motor vehicle

In a motor vehicle, the powertrain comprises the main components that generate power and deliver that power to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the engine, transmission, drive shafts, differentials, and the final drive. Hybrid powertrains also include one or more electric traction motors that operate to drive the vehicle wheels. All-electric vehicles eliminate the engine altogether, relying solely on electric motors for propulsion. Occasionally the term powerplant is casually used to refer to the engine or, less often, the entire powertrain.

Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), also known as Toyota Hybrid System II, is the brand name of Toyota Motor Corporation for the hybrid car drive train technology used in vehicles with the Toyota and Lexus marques. First introduced on the Prius, the technology is an option on several other Toyota and Lexus vehicles and has been adapted for the electric drive system of the hydrogen-powered Mirai, and for a plug-in hybrid version of the Prius. Previously, Toyota also licensed its HSD technology to Nissan for use in its Nissan Altima Hybrid. Its parts supplier Aisin Seiki Co. offers similar hybrid transmissions to other car companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar vehicle</span> Electric vehicle powered by solar energy

A solar vehicle or solar electric vehicle is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by direct solar energy. Usually, photovoltaic (PV) cells contained in solar panels convert the sun's energy directly into electric energy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in hybrid</span> Hybrid vehicle whose battery may be externally charged

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be replenished by connecting a charging cable into an external electric power source, in addition to internally by its on-board internal combustion engine-powered generator. While PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, military vehicles and boats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automotive engine</span> Car and truck technology

There are a wide variety of propulsion systems available or potentially available for automobiles and other vehicles. Options included internal combustion engines fueled by petrol, diesel, propane, or natural gas; hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles fueled by hydrogen and all electric cars. Fueled vehicles seem to have the advantage due to the limited range and high cost of batteries. Some options required construction of a network of fueling or charging stations. With no compelling advantage for any particular option, car makers pursued parallel development tracks using a variety of options. Reducing the weight of vehicles was one strategy being employed.

Mild hybrids (MHEV) are generally cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE) equipped with a negligibly bigger electric combined motor and generator in a parallel hybrid configuration allowing the engine to be turned off whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, and then quickly restarted once power is again required. Mild hybrids may employ regenerative braking and some level of power assist to the internal combustion engine, but mild hybrids do not have an electric-only mode of propulsion.

Hybrid vehicle drivetrains transmit power to the driving wheels for hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle has multiple forms of motive power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hybrid electric vehicle</span> Type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a type of hybrid vehicle that combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance. There is a variety of HEV types and the degree to which each function as an electric vehicle (EV) also varies. The most common form of HEV is the hybrid electric car, although hybrid electric trucks, buses, boats and aircraft also exist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alternative fuel vehicle</span> Type of vehicle

An alternative fuel vehicle is a motor vehicle that runs on alternative fuel rather than traditional petroleum fuels. The term also refers to any technology powering an engine that does not solely involve petroleum. Because of a combination of factors, such as environmental and health concerns including climate change and air pollution, high oil-prices and the potential for peak oil, development of cleaner alternative fuels and advanced power systems for vehicles has become a high priority for many governments and vehicle manufacturers around the world.

All-electric range (AER) is the maximum driving range of an electric vehicle using only power from its on-board battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a Battery electric vehicle (BEV), it means the maximum range per recharge, typically between 150 and 400 miles. For a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), it means the maximum range in charge-depleting mode, typically between 20 and 40 miles. PHEVs can travel considerably further in charge-sustaining mode which utilizes both fuel combustion and the on-board battery pack like a conventional hybrid electric vehicle (HEV).

Environmental impact-minimizing vehicle tuning is the modification of cars to reduce energy consumption.

Voltec, formerly known as E-Flex, is a General Motors powertrain released in November 2010. The Voltec architecture is primarily a plug-in capable, battery-dominant electric vehicle with additional fossil fuel powered series and parallel hybrid capabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battery electric vehicle</span> Type of electric vehicle

A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle, fully electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of propulsion. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of internal combustion engines (ICEs) for propulsion. They derive all power from battery packs and thus have no internal combustion engine, fuel cell, or fuel tank. BEVs include – but are not limited to – motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, railcars, watercraft, forklifts, buses, trucks, and cars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Range extender</span> Fuel-based auxiliary power unit that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle

A range extender is a fuel-based auxiliary power unit (APU) that extends the range of a battery electric vehicle by driving an electric generator that charges the vehicle's battery. This arrangement is known as a series hybrid drivetrain. The most commonly used range extenders are internal combustion engines, but fuel-cells or other engine types can be used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Blue-Will</span> Motor vehicle

The Hyundai Blue-Will is a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid concept compact car designed by the South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company. The vehicle was debuted at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in South Korea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solar bus</span>

A solar bus or solar-charged bus is a bus that is powered exclusively or mainly by solar energy. Solar-powered bus service is referred to as a solar bus service. The use of the term "solar bus" normally implies that solar energy is used not only for powering electric equipment on the bus, but also for the propulsion of the vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drivetrain</span> Group of components that deliver power to the driving wheels

A drivetrain is the group of components that deliver mechanical power from the prime mover to the driven components. In automotive engineering, the drivetrain is the components of a motor vehicle that deliver power to the drive wheels. This excludes the engine or motor that generates the power. In marine applications, the drive shaft will drive a propeller, thruster, or waterjet rather than a drive axle, while the actual engine might be similar to an automotive engine. Other machinery, equipment and vehicles may also use a drivetrain to deliver power from the engine(s) to the driven components.

References

  1. ↑ "Electric vehicle definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  2. ↑ "Definition of Electric Vehicles Description ElectricVehiclesNews.com". electricvehiclesnews.com. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  3. ↑ "Electric car, or electrified car?". Digital Trends. 2017-04-11.
  4. ↑ "Electric Vehicle Dictionary | Pod Point". pod-point.com. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  5. ↑ "Battery electric vehicle". ScienceDaily. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  6. 1 2 "Battery Electric Vehicles, BEV, EVs, HEVs, BHEV's". EVgo. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  7. ↑ "What is a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)? - Definition from Techopedia". Techopedia.com. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  8. ↑ Pocket-lint (2019-04-18). "What is a self-charging hybrid?". Pocket-lint. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
  9. ↑ x-engineer.org. "Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) – architectures – x-engineer.org" . Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  10. ↑ "Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) – electrical architecture – x-engineer.org". X-Engineer.
  11. ↑ "What Is a Micro-Hybrid?". CarsDirect. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  12. ↑ "Hybrid vehicle definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary". www.collinsdictionary.com. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  13. ↑ "What is plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)? - Definition from WhatIs.com". WhatIs.com. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  14. ↑ Voelcker, John (23 October 2013). "2014 BMW i3 Electric Car: Why California Set Range Requirements, Engine Limits". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  15. ↑ "STAFF REPORT: INITIAL STATEMENT OF REASONS" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-01-07.
  16. ↑ "U.S. BMW i3 REx Actually Has 2.4 Gallon Gas Tank, But Clever Software Limits Fueling To 1.9 Gallons". Inside EVs. 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  17. ↑ "Before the Industrial Revolution". Schoolshistory.org.uk. Retrieved 2019-03-31.
  18. ↑ "Solar vehicle", Wikipedia, 2019-09-26, retrieved 2019-10-03
  19. ↑ mars.nasa.gov. "Electrical Power". mars.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  20. 1 2 "History – The Integration of External Combustion and Heat Engine Designs". zedengines.com. Retrieved 2019-09-10.
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