The Plug-In Hybrid Development Consortium is made up of component suppliers working together to accelerate the commercial production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV).
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are an emerging trend in automotive circles, and consumer interest is growing rapidly. PHEVs combine the environmental and economic benefits of pure battery electric vehicles with the extended range of a gas internal combustion engine to meet the needs of virtually all consumers. Based on the success of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), several aftermarket companies are currently working to modify these vehicles to become PHEVs, by adding significantly larger battery packs, adjusting the operating software to allow for higher speed to be achieved in pure electric mode, and mounting a Delta-Q charger onboard. Some large automakers are involved in trials of commercial PHEVs, and others are seriously investigating this solution to provide substantial increases in fuel economy, with 100+ mpg as the design goal.
Stuart Evans, Delta-Q's Director of Sales, outlined the importance of PHEV battery chargers in a paper titled "Chargers Integral to PHEV Success" presented to EVS-23 in Anaheim, CA, December 4, 2007.