Hybrid Electric Vehicles: A Path to Net-Zero Mobility

The global transition to net-zero emissions is vital to mitigating climate change, and electric vehicles (EVs) play a critical part in this effort.
Given the limitations of power supply, grid capacity, and fast-charging infrastructure in economically developing countries, hybrid EVs offer a substantial chance to jumpstart the shift.

The notion of “net-zero for vehicles” refers to reaching carbon neutrality or net-zero carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
This goal entails lowering cars’ overall carbon footprint in order to balance the emissions they emit with equivalent carbon removal or offsetting efforts.

Any vehicle with an electric drivetrain that is powered by a portable electrical energy source is considered an electric vehicle (EV).
To generate power, a hybrid EV combines an internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electrical generator. It has a tiny battery (1-5kWh) that serves as an energy buffer, however it cannot be charged from the grid.
Full EV: Also known as a battery EV or plug-in EV, it does not have an ICE and so emits no exhaust emissions. It has a bigger battery (20-120 kWh) that is charged entirely by the grid.
Plug-in Hybrid EV: A hybrid EV with a larger battery (5-15 kWh) that can be charged from the grid and operates in full electric mode as long as the battery has energy.
Fuel-Cell EV: A fuel cell and a small battery buffer are used to provide electricity for the drivetrain.

Hybrid electric vehicles: Hybrid EVs have 1.5-2x higher fuel economy than standard ICE vehicles in city driving and 1-1.5x higher on the highway thanks to the combination of an ICE, generator, and battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Combine the benefits of hybrid and full EVs, covering 80-90% of short commutes in fully electric mode while consuming 3-4x less gasoline than conventional vehicles.
Emissions During the Life Cycle: A complete index that takes into account emissions from well to wheel, vehicle and battery production, maintenance, and end-of-life recycling. Even with India’s fossil-fuel-dominated energy mix, full EVs result in 19-34% lower emissions for cars and 38-49% lower emissions for SUVs compared to conventional vehicles.

Fast-Charging Infrastructure: To ease range anxiety and encourage full EV adoption, a successful transition requires fast-charging infrastructure along highways.
Grid connections and Reliability: Many places lack stable grid connections, providing issues for slow and fast charging capacities.
Vehicle expenses: In economically developing countries, mass-market EV pricing are substantially lower, limiting widespread adoption due to high battery costs.

Hybrid EVs offer a way to reduce emissions until full EVs become realistic solutions in the long run.
Plug-in hybrids, with their all-electric range, have numerous advantages, including lower fuel costs, pollutants, and oil imports.
In hybrid EVs, regenerative braking and engine start-stop technologies improve fuel economy.
Regardless of vehicle range, the purchase price of hybrid cars is only marginally higher than that of conventional vehicles.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-promise-of-hybrid-evs-in-cutting-short-term-carbon-emissions/article67142001.ece