ABSTRACT
A hybrid vehicle has several design features and technologies that help it achieve increased mileage. Some of these features are hybrid specifi c and are not found in conventional vehicles (CVs). Among the hybrid-specifi c items, the major contributors to improved miles per gallon (mpg) are known as the heavy hitters. The devices that offer smaller, yet important, gains are called nickel and dime. All the minor gains add up and prove useful in increasing the mileage. Another class of techniques for better mpg is not unique to hybrids and is shared with CVs. These constitute the class of technologies that are common with other vehicles. CVs and hybrids vie for the consumer’s money.
