Hybrid electric vehicles have great potential to reduce fuel consumption and palliate harmful emissions for better population health and climate change. These power trains are essential to meet current emissions legislation, contribute to more environmentally friendly mobility and improve air quality in big cities. In the past two decades, due to the advent growth of modern electric drives, battery technology, and intelligent charging methodology, the overall performance of the electric vehicles have improved. Many research works have been conducted to improve the efficiency and reliability. It increases the applications of electric vehicles. Apart from grid power, the use of renewable sources makes zero-emission rate and zero fuel cost. This chapter deals with the role of power converters in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). It deals with power converters used in hybrid electric vehicles, types of battery chargers, emerging power electronic devices, and thermal management of HEV power electronics, which are presented with the simulation using MATLAB software.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles’ Potential for Urban Transport in China: The Role of Energy Sources and Utility Factors