Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Electric Loading in the African Transportation Solution

Abstract

South Africa is the largest emitter of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) in Africa and one of the most carbon emission-intensive countries in the world, annually emitting some 7 tons of CO2 per capita. This statistics includes emissions or air pollution produced by motor vehicles which is already causing problems to advanced/industrialized societies. Zero-emission or clean vehicles are poised to change the narratives. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are part of the electric vehicles with pure electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) that will change transportation. PHEVs have the particularity of using both electricity and petroleum making it ideal in the transition phase. PHEVs usually store enough electricity for a significant reduction of their petrol use under typical driving conditions. Their batteries can be charged by being plugged into an electric outlet or charging station. Compared to other charging methods, high-voltage DC chargers have the fastest charging capacity. Either configured in a series or parallel structure, their travelling distance on electricity mode is usually 20 – 80 km depending on the battery capacity that should have a capacity range of 8 – 25 kWh. When running on electricity mode, PHEVs are emission free but have the disadvantage of being very expensive when compared to non-PHEVs.

Keywords: Electric vehicles, transportation, electric loading, PHEV, chargers