A path to cheaper hybrids

Compact converter systems

Hanna Plesko, a doctoral student at Power Electronic Systems Laboratory, might have invented a way to help bring down the costs of hybrid vehicles.

By integrating the power electronics and the electric motor in a way where several functions can be performed simultaneously, a number of important components can be shared, resulting in fewer raw materials and a simpler, more efficient design.

Obviously, this alone won't make hybrids that much more cost effective, but it demonstrates that much more efficiency is yet to be gained in hybrid and electric drives.

Maybe 35 percent marketshare for hybrid and electric vehicles by 2025 isn't that unrealistic.