On the Operation of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle with Ethanol Flexible Fuel System for Indian Transportation Sector

Vehicular emissions contribute nearly two-third of the environmental pollution. The increasing usage of personal transportation and higher emissions from the tail pipe contribute significantly to the climate change. Though catalytic converters and other regulatory measures have brought down the emission levels, it is a serious concern about addressing the problems of depleting fossil fuel sources and the green house gas emissions. The effective use of ethanol either as a neat fuel or as a mixture with gasoline has proved technically feasible and environmentally acceptable. Electric Vehicle (EV) which is a Zero emission vehicle is yet to be accepted due to its poor drivability range. Hence Hybrid Electric Vehicles is emerging as an alternate solution that overcome the disadvantages of EV's and the existing prime movers can suitably be combined with the electric drive to produce optimal results. This paper discusses Hybrid Electric Vehicles using flexible fuel systems which suits the Indian road conditions and its driving cycle.