A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is the logical next step for the millions of people who own hybrid cars or who want an extremely efficient car. PHEVs solve a lot of problems quickly. They combine the benefits of pure electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Much like pure electric vehicles, they plug into the electric grid and can be powered by the stored electricity alone. Similar to hybrid electric vehicles, they have engines that enable them to have a greater driving range and that can recharge the battery.
Part of the Green Guru Guides series of books, Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman, is a hands-on guide that dissects the latest technical information and contains easy-to-follow instructions for building a PHEV. Leitman provides complete details on the hybrid power train and all the required components, including the motor, battery, and chassis. Pictures, diagrams, charts, and graphs illustrate each step along the way.
Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle covers:
· Energy savings and environmental benefits
· PHEV background
· Drive train components and design
· Chassis selection
· DC and AC motor types
· Batteries and chargers
· The conversion process
· Licensing and insurance
· Safety, maintenance, troubleshooting, and warranties
· Clubs and associations
· Additional resources
“If you buy, build, or convert your electric vehicle using the chassis from an internal combustion engine vehicle, as suggested in this book, you are performing a double service for the environment: you remove one polluting car from the road, and you put one nonpolluting electric vehicle to service,” says Seth Leitman.
The Green Guru Guides is a new series of books offering the environmentally conscious consumer and hobbyist authoritative, practical, and fun do-it-yourself green living information. It shows the reader how to do a particular task, whether it’s building a new energy-efficient vehicle, greening a particular task, or greening an entire home. The Green Guru Guides’ covers and interior pages are printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved, acid-free papers containing 100% post-consumer fiber.
With Seth Leitman as the consulting series editor the series unveiled with the following three titles in summer 2009:
· Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle by Seth Leitman
· Renewable Energies for Your Home by Russel Gehrke
· Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel
Future titles include:
· Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley
· Build Your Own Home Wind Power System by Leo Wiegman
· Green Lighting by William Brinsky and Seth Leitman
· Build Your Own Electric Bicycle by Matthew Slinn
Seth Leitman is currently President and Managing Member of the ETS Energy Store, LCC, which sells organic, natural, and sustainable products for business and home use (from energy efficient bulbs to electric vehicle conversion referrals). Previously, he worked for the New York State Power Authority and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, where he helped develop, market, and manage electric and hybrid vehicle programs serving New York State and the New York metropolitan area. In total, he helped to bring more than 3,500 alternative fueled vehicles and buses into New York. Seth created and maintains a green living blog (www.greenlivingguy.com). He is also the author of Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, Second Edition (McGraw-Hill, 2008).
