In an electric drive vehicle, the torque is supplied to the wheels by an electric motor that is powered either solely by a battery, or an internal combustion engine using hydrogen, gasoline or diesel, or, by a fuel cell.
Electric drive technology is used in vehicles ranging from bikes and scooters to forklifts, golf cars, passenger cars, buses and commercial trucks. It is even used at truck stops and shipping ports. Electric drive vehicle platforms include battery, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and fuel cell electric vehicles.
The world is watching with great interest as researchers work to bring zero-emission, hydrogen powered fuel cell cars from the laboratory to the fast lane. But most people board their city buses, or watch their luggage rolling to the airplane without ever realizing that they are already reaping the benefits of electric drive technology.
Commercial Fleet: Delivery and Taxi
Electric drive is particularly well suited for stop-and-go driving because it captures and reuses braking energy that would otherwise be lost as heat. Typical electric drive commercial fleet applications today include city delivery, taxis, electric utility, telecommunications, municipal and military vehicles.
Public Transit: Buses, Trolleys, Trains
Many transit agencies are acquiring hybrid electric buses to replace older diesel buses in fleets. Electric drive buses are in service in cities across the United States. New York City Transit reports that its growing hybrid fleet offers an impressive combination of environmental, cost and performance advantages. The buses emit 90% less particulate matter, 40% fewer oxides of nitrogen, and 30% fewer greenhouse gases than conventional buses--while improving fuel economy 30%. In addition, the buses run quieter and brake life has approximately doubled.
Retail/Consumer: Cars, Trucks, Niche Vehicles
Hybrid electric vehicles are recent introductions to the consumer market, and have proved popular despite the disadvantages of high price. All the major automotive manufacturers have plans to introduce more hybrid electric cars and trucks in the near future. However, analysts project that hybrids will capture only 3% of the US market by 2011, primarily due to the their $3,000-$4,000 price premium. To make hybrid vehicles more financially affordable, the IRS permits a one-time tax deduction for hybrid purchases made before 2006. A tax credit for hybrid and fuel cell vehicle purchasers is available in 2006.
Warehousing and Grounds Keeping
Battery electric vehicles-such as lift trucks and personnel carriers-are widely used on school campuses, in planned communities, resorts, large business complexes, and by government agencies. In addition, most sweepers and scrubbers in use today are electric. Replacing one gasoline lift truck with an electric motor is equivalent to taking up to 170 cars off the road.
Trucking: truck-stop electrification
Some 5,000 truck stops operate in the United States, providing space for truckers to rest and refuel. The Department of Transportation mandates that truckers rest 'off-duty' for a minimum of 10 hours if their workday includes 11 hours of driving. Resting truckers often idle their engines during this time, to heat or cool their sleeper compartments or to run electrical appliances. Truck stop electrification allows truckers to plug in and turn off their engines, cut diesel costs, and reduce emissions. In addition, the trucking industry is adopting electric transport refrigeration units to cool perishable cargo. Electrifying a single truck stop parking space can save 5,840 gallons of diesel fuel per year, and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by the equivalent of taking 1,150 cars off the road.
Airport and seaport ground support
Airports across the United States are turning to electric ground support equipment and jet way power to reduce their overall emissions. Airport electric technologies include baggage tugs to convey baggage between the terminal and aircraft; baggage belt loaders to load and unload bags from the aircraft; air stairs for passenger access to the aircraft; wheelchair lifts; and pushback tractors to move the aircraft away from the terminal once passengers are on board. The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena (Bob Hope) Airport in 2005 inaugurated a $1.3 million system of 42 battery chargers for electric ground service equipment (eGSE) at all 14 airline gates of Bob Hope Airport. The airport authority president noted that the airport's installation of the chargers, and Southwest's rapid conversion to their use, places Bob Hope Airport at the forefront of reducing air pollution from ground support equipment.
