Green Car Glossary
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 10. 1.06
The Union of Concerned Scientists has published a small glossary of terms and acronyms that are often used when discussing green(er) transportation.
Vehicle Types* HEVs (hybrid electric vehicles): Hybrids combine an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor, offering the extended range and rapid refueling of a conventional vehicle but with the potential for much higher fuel economy. However, not all hybrids are created equal; some use the technology to increase acceleration rather than boost gas mileage. The UCS Hybrid Center website provides information about and comparisons of current hybrid models.
* FFVs (flex-fuel vehicles): FFVs have a single fuel tank, fuel system, and engine, but are designed to run on any blend of gasoline and ethanol, up to 85 percent ethanol (a mixture known as E85 that can modestly reduce a vehicle’s global warming emissions such as carbon dioxide). Unfortunately, E85 fueling stations are not available in all states; check the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Station Locator for a list of stations nearest you.
* NGVs (natural gas vehicles): Honda is currently the only automaker offering passenger cars that run on compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG emits less air pollution and carbon dioxide than gasoline, but as with E85, CNG fueling stations are not widespread.
To which we would add: PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) for hybrid vehicles that can be plugged-in to recharge their batteries. These usually have a longer electric range than regular hybrids which allows them to take short trips on electricity only.
And EV (electric vehicles): Vehicles that are powered by electricity only. Usually referring to cars with batteries (like the Tesla Roadster) and not hydrogen fuel cells (which are also electric cars but referred to as FCVs, Fuel Cell Vehicles). Their main benefit is that there is already a refueling infrastructure (the power grid) and that electricity can be produced a large number of ways, including clean ones. Their main weakness is battery technology limitations (capacity, cold weather, cost).
Technologies* VVT (variable valve timing) or VVLT (variable valve lift and timing) adjusts the operation of an engine’s valves depending on engine speed and power demand. By providing a better fuel/air mix and improved combustion, these technologies boost fuel efficiency.
* AFM (Active Fuel Management), MDS (Multiple Displacement System), and VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) are brand names used by General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and Honda, respectively, to describe their cylinder deactivation systems, which shut down half of an engine’s cylinders when the extra power is not needed. This is particularly useful for vehicles with six- and eight-cylinder engines.
* CVT (continuously variable transmission) is an automatic transmission with an essentially infinite number of speeds, which enables the engine to operate near its optimal speed under all conditions.
CVT is an interesting technology. You can learn more about how it works here. It's too bad that it is not as popular in North-America as in the rest of the world because it doesn't have that "shifting" feel that a traditional automatic transmission has.
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Oops. Bio-fueled vehicles accidentially left out. Vw TDI's for example have no toxic batteries, much longer engine life, get 50+mpg, and have far fewer parts that a hybrid.
"Vw TDI's for example have no toxic batteries"
How do you start it, then? Is there a crank? :)
no toxic batteries
They have a battery and it's toxic.
much longer engine life
VWs are consistently some of the poorest quality vehicles for sale. There's no way you can say their engines will outlast or be cheaper compared to something else, especially vehicles which still haven't been around very long.
get 50+mpg
No, they don't.
and have far fewer parts that a hybrid.
You have a detailed parts count for VW TDIs and all hybrid vehicles? Please give us the numbers, as if that's relevant.
The ICEs and some other parts in full hybrids should actually last longer than in non-hybrid cars; the brake pads are used a lot less because of regenerative braking, the engine is kept revving mostly in its sweet spot because of the CVT and electric motors, and instead of a weak starter you have a big electric motor that can even give you oil pressure.
As for the batteries, they last the life of the vehicle and are then recycled. They allow hybrids to have much better emissions than diesel vehicles (show me a diesel close to PZEV), and better fuel economy in the city while also being very competitive on the highway.
I like diesel, but I think its potential is not yet fully realized. Maybe in a couple of years it'll be a better contender (when we have better catalytic converters, lower sulfur fuel in N-A and biodiesel is easier to find).
Maybe we'll see diesel-hybrids... But since diesel engines are heavier, more expensive and have worse emissions than gas engines, that might not happen for a while.
What? No PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Vehicle)?
Also: Those of you who have your doubts about diesel engines should consider the fact that any diesel engine can run on 100% biodiesel (B100) in warm climates (>50 degrees F), and 20% (B20) under most conditions... no need for special filters & valves like FFVs. EROEI for biodiesel is between 1.8 and 3.2. depending the study.
It shouldn't be hybrids OR diesel, it should be hybrid AND diesel: I want my PHEV diesel.
Hi Tom,
PHEV is not in the UCS' guide, but it is in our post above.
The Bio-Beetle. It has one battery. Easily gets 50mpg and run on biodiesel. Biodiesel has a much higher lubricity than petroline or diesel #1, hence the engine runs much longer than it's gas counterpart. Yes! It should be biodiesel hybrid. As soon as Honda or VW comes out with a diesel-hybrid it'll be by by bio-bug. I've owned several Toyo trucks and have found Honda build quality to be better than Toyos.
I think some people misunderstand what UCS is doing. They are publishing a glossary for "green" vehicle technology that normal people can actually access from mainstream outlets. They also point out that it's not a comprehensive glossary by any means -- seeing as it only has six main entries.
How about the new Honda Civic CNG vehicle? I am tempted to get one (currently own an Insight). PG&E has a fill program that puts a fill tank in your garage taps to home gas system (state grant covers cost of 3.5K), plus $4K rebate when you buy the car, nets to a 21K car. Also by going to the home fill station you get commercial rates on your home gas bill (50% less). Net, net is 70cents per gallon at home $1.50 at remote fill stations. What is the negative? I have heard some things about distrubution system being harmful. But this is sourced here mostly in the U.S. Anyone with some info on this?
MG