Due to worldwide concern regarding greenhouse gases emission,
mainly CO₂, automakers are developing new technologies to reduce
vehicles' fuel consumption. One of the most promising
technologies, growing fast in USA, Japan and Europe is the Hybrid
Electric Vehicles (HEVs).
In the Brazilian Market, HEVs availability is still absent,
which causes uncertainties about possible impacts caused by the
introduction of this new vehicle technology in the big cities.
However, as requirements of non-pollutant technologies arise, HEVs
are expected to be available in Brazilian Market in the next years.
Within this scenario, in 2002, aiming to evaluate the adequacy of
Brazilian Gasolines blended with up to 25% v/v of Ethanol in HEV
technology, Petrobras Research and Development Center (CENPES)
purchased from USA a 2002 Toyota Prius and a 2002 Honda Insight.
Since then, both HEVs are being tested at CENPES's Vehicle Test
Laboratory (LEV).
This paper will present topics related to HEV technology
evolution, future trends, governmental benefits offered for these
vehicles in some countries. Additionally, noticeable advantages and
disadvantages of this technology in the world market are
highlighted. It will also present CENPES experience with HEVs,
including the methodology evolution required for laboratory tests
with HEVs and the preliminary emission and fuel economy test
results obtained with Brazilian Super Premium Gasoline - less than
30 ppm of Sulfur content - blended with 25% v/v of Ethanol in a
2002 Toyota Prius and a 2002 Honda Insight HEVs.