As the world looks to net-zero emissions goals, hybrid electric vehicles may play
an increasingly important role. For passenger electric vehicles (EVs) that
predominantly make short journeys but occasionally need to make longer trips,
electrofuel range extension may be more cost effective than either hydrogen or
rapid charging. Micro gas turbines and catalytic combustion show significant
potential to deliver low-cost, low-maintenance, lightweight engines with
virtually no emissions, and hydrocarbon consuming solid oxide fuel cells show
even greater potential in these areas. Aditioanlly, sodium-ion batteries for
EVs, dispatachable vehicle-to-grid power and buffering, and variable
intermittent renewable energy could also play key roles.
The Role of Hybrid Vehicles in a Net-zero Transport System explores
the costs, considerations, and challenges facing these technologies.