WHAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE?Any vehicle which combines two or more

sources of power.

Examples:Diesel – electricNuclear – electricGasoline - electric

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LEVELS OF HYBRID VEHICLES

• FULL HYBRID

• MEDIUM HYBRID

• MILD HYBRID

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HYBRID STRUCTURE

The two power sources found in hybrid

vehicles may be combined in different

ways, either in parallel or series

Either one will allow the gasoline engine to shut down when it is not needed.

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PARALLEL HYBRID

• Gasoline motor• Batteries which powers

an electric motor• Both can power the

transmission at the same time

• Electric motor supplements the gasoline engine

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SERIES HYBRID

• Gasoline motor turns a generator

• Generator may either charge the batteries or power an electric motor that drives the transmission

• At low speeds is powered only by the electric motor

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

• Power for the electric motor is supplied by high-voltage nickel-metal hydride battery

• Batteries for all hybrids are produced by Panasonic EV Energy in Japan

• Voltage ranges from 144 volts to 650 volts of DC current

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

• High voltage wiring may color coded orange, bright blue or even yellow

• Batteries vary in design, however, all incorporate individual cells connected to one another

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HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

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BATTERIES

• Individual cells originally contained liquid potassium hydroxide

• The liquid is almost totally absorbed by the paper membranes inside each cell of the battery

• Because the liquid is absorbed these batteries are considered “dry cell” batteries

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BATTERIES

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BATTERY RECHARGING

• The Ni-MH batteries are recharged through a process call regenerative braking

• Regenerative braking takes energy from the forward momentum of the vehicle and captures it while coasting or braking.

• Occasionally batteries are recharged by the electric motor

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THE “SILENT” HYBRID

• Most gasoline engines in hybrids will shut off when not needed – i.e. when stopped in traffic

• Most hybrids have an indicator light which may alert individuals to the status of the vehicle

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THE “SILENT” HYBRID

• When the vehicle is in this silent mode it may “awaken” without notice

• Chocking the wheels is critical to responder safety

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURESNi – MH BATTERY PACK

PHYSICAL DAMAGE• High-voltage circuits are color-coded either orange,

bright blue or yellow

• Never disassemble or remove the metal cover of the high-voltage battery pack

• DC current is normally isolated from any contact with the vehicle itself

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EMERGENCY PROCEDURESNi – MH BATTERY PACK

PHYSICAL DAMAGE

• If the high-voltage cables running under the vehicle were damaged the high-voltage battery is designed short circuit.

• This short circuit would de-energize the entire high-voltage battery circuit

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HYBRID VEHICLES – OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS

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KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS

• Convenience of push button start• Systems are designed to deter theft and

break-ins• Utilize key fobs which contain a chip with an

ID code that the vehicle must recognize• The key fob must be in the vehicle in order for

the car to start

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FUELS USED IN HYBRID VEHICLE

• Ethanol• Bio Diesel• Natural gas• Propane LPG• Hydrogen

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ADVANTAGES

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• Battery Recharges When You Brake

• Less Dependence on Fossil fuels

• Light weight

• Clean

DISADVANTAGES

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• Less Power

• Maintenance costs

• Handling

WHO’S MAKING HYBRIDS NOW?

• Honda• Accord• Civic

• Toyota• Prius• Camry• Highlander

• Ford• Escape

• Mazda• Tribute

• Saturn• Vue

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• Lexus• RX 400h SUV• GS 450h• LS 600h L

• Mercury• Mariner SUV

• Dodge• Ram – contractor’s edition

• General Motors• Silverado and Sierra • Malibu• Tahoe/Yukon

• Nissan• Altima• Versa

Conclusion Due to the proliferation of hybrid vehicles on

the road today, responders must be familiar with how these vehicles operate, and how to handle an emergency which involves one of

these vehicles.

Additionally, responders must stay up-to-date with current vehicle technology, as it is

continuously changing.

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