A hybrid vehicle combines two or more power sources, such as gasoline and electricity. There are three levels of hybrids - full, medium, and mild. Hybrid powertrains can be arranged in either parallel or series layouts. Parallel hybrids allow both the gasoline engine and electric motor to power the transmission simultaneously, while series hybrids use the gasoline engine to charge a battery which powers an electric motor. High-voltage batteries are used to power electric motors in hybrids and are recharged through regenerative braking or the electric motor. Emergency responders must take precautions with hybrids such as chocking wheels when the vehicle is in silent mode and not damaging high-voltage cables or battery packs. Due to the increasing

1. WHAT IS A HYBRID VEHICLE?
Any vehicle which combines two or more
sources of power.
Examples:
Diesel – electric
Nuclear – electric
Gasoline - electric
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2. LEVELS OF HYBRID VEHICLES
• FULL HYBRID
• MEDIUM HYBRID
• MILD HYBRID
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3. HYBRID STRUCTURE
The two power sources found in hybrid
vehicles may be combined in different
ways, either in parallel or series
Either one will allow the gasoline engine to shut
down when it is not needed.
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4. PARALLEL HYBRID
• Gasoline motor
• Batteries which powers
an electric motor
• Both can power the
transmission at the
same time
• Electric motor
supplements the
gasoline engine
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5. SERIES HYBRID
• Gasoline motor turns a
generator
• Generator may either
charge the batteries or
power an electric motor
that drives the
transmission
• At low speeds is
powered only by the
electric motor
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6. HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
• Power for the electric motor is supplied by
high-voltage nickel-metal hydride battery
• Batteries for all hybrids are produced by
Panasonic EV Energy in Japan
• Voltage ranges from 144 volts to 650 volts of
DC current
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7. HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
• High voltage wiring may color coded orange,
bright blue or even yellow
• Batteries vary in design, however, all
incorporate individual cells connected to one
another
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8. HIGH VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS
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9. BATTERIES
• Individual cells originally contained liquid
potassium hydroxide
• The liquid is almost totally absorbed by the
paper membranes inside each cell of the
battery
• Because the liquid is absorbed these batteries
are considered “dry cell” batteries
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10. BATTERIES
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11. BATTERY RECHARGING
• The Ni-MH batteries are recharged through a
process call regenerative braking
• Regenerative braking takes energy from the
forward momentum of the vehicle and
captures it while coasting or braking.
• Occasionally batteries are recharged by the
electric motor
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12. THE “SILENT” HYBRID
• Most gasoline engines
in hybrids will shut off
when not needed – i.e.
when stopped in traffic
• Most hybrids have an
indicator light which
may alert individuals to
the status of the vehicle
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13. THE “SILENT” HYBRID
• When the vehicle is in this silent mode it may
“awaken” without notice
• Chocking the wheels is critical to responder
safety
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14. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Ni – MH BATTERY PACK
PHYSICAL DAMAGE
• High-voltage circuits are color-coded either orange,
bright blue or yellow
• Never disassemble or remove the metal cover of the
high-voltage battery pack
• DC current is normally isolated from any contact with
the vehicle itself
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15. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Ni – MH BATTERY PACK
PHYSICAL DAMAGE
• If the high-voltage cables running under the
vehicle were damaged the high-voltage
battery is designed short circuit.
• This short circuit would de-energize the entire
high-voltage battery circuit
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16. HYBRID VEHICLES – OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS
KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS
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17. KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEMS
• Convenience of push button start
• Systems are designed to deter theft and
break-ins
• Utilize key fobs which contain a chip with an
ID code that the vehicle must recognize
• The key fob must be in the vehicle in order for
the car to start
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18. FUELS USED IN HYBRID
VEHICLE
• Ethanol
• Bio Diesel
• Natural gas
• Propane LPG
• Hydrogen
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19. ADVANTAGES
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• Battery Recharges When You Brake
• Less Dependence on Fossil fuels
• Light weight
• Clean

20. DISADVANTAGES
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• Less Power
• Maintenance costs
• Handling

21. WHO’S MAKING HYBRIDS NOW?
• Honda
• Accord
• Civic
• Toyota
• Prius
• Camry
• Highlander
• Ford
• Escape
• Mazda
• Tribute
• Saturn
• Vue
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• Lexus
• RX 400h SUV
• GS 450h
• LS 600h L
• Mercury
• Mariner SUV
• Dodge
• Ram – contractor’s edition
• General Motors
• Silverado and Sierra
• Malibu
• Tahoe/Yukon
• Nissan
• Altima
• Versa

22. Conclusion
Due to the proliferation of hybrid vehicles on
the road today, responders must be familiar
with how these vehicles operate, and how to
handle an emergency which involves one of
these vehicles.
Additionally, responders must stay up-to-date
with current vehicle technology, as it is
continuously changing.
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