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Electricity: Four Questions about Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Are hybrids the only kind of electric vehicle?

Some useful concepts...

Hybrid: A vehicle powered by a gasoline engine supplemented by electricity. A hybrid makes its own electricity and stores it in batteries. Referred to as an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle.)

Plug In Hybrid: Different from a hybrid in that the batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle into your household current. Referred to as an PHEV (Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle.)

Plug In Vehicle: No gasoline engine - it's just battery powered. Plug it in to charge the batteries.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The batteries are charged with electricity generated by fuel cells that need to be re-charged with hydrogen.

The first three technologies above are currently available; hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are not.

What are the environmental costs and benefits of electric vehicles?

There is no question that hybrid vehicles pollute less. Each mile traveled on electricity that is generated by the vehicle, is a mile hydrocarbon combustion by-products are not emitted. For pure plug-in EVs and plug-in hybrids the answer is more complicated. The issue is: How is the electricity generated? If plug-in vehicles require building more coal-fired generating plants, then there may be no environmental gain. The links on this page will lead to more discussion of this complex question. Regardless of the environmental costs/benefits, any electric vehicle reduces our dependence on foreign oil.

How safe are the batteries used in hybrid electric vehicles?

In an article "Hybrids and Safety" by Kelsey Mays at Cars.com, the author states:

Safety experts and automakers agree that the risk of electric shock and acid spills is minimal. Concerns stem from a hybrid's battery pack, a high-voltage electrolyte compound mounted toward the vehicle's rear. Typically it sits under the load floor or behind the rear seat. It's shielded from collision by the bumper and rear frame, as well as, in some cases, the wheels, axle and suspension.

Even if the battery sustains damage, additional safeguards are in place to help prevent a leak. Conventional 12-volt car batteries hold an acidic liquid electrolyte, but a hybrid's larger, rear-mounted battery uses "absorbent matt" technology to maintain a paste-like consistency, explained Tom Hollenstain, a researcher at the State Farm vehicle research facility.

The result: If punctured, hybrid battery packs likely won't spill their insides. The 12-volt unit up front could spill — but that could happen in any car, hybrid or conventional.

Can cars be converted to use electricity, or do you just have to buy a new one?

There are two approaches to conversion. Both are expensive. One approach takes a car - preferably with a 4 cyclinder engine and a manual transmission and completely replaces the engine with an electric motor and batteries. The other approach takes an existing hybrid and converts it to become a plug in hybrid.