Emerging Technologies of Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Chris Mi, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Senior Member, IEEE
4901 Evergreen Road, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
Tel: (313)583-6434, email: chrismi@umich.edu
Abstract: One of the fastest growing automotive fields, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) presents
both opportunities and challenges. HEVs are more fuel-efficient and environment friendly
compared to conventional vehicles. Optimizing the power intake in HEVs allows the engine
operation to be kept within the range designed for best fuel economy and lowest emission, while
the motor/generator system either provides additional power input, or generates electricity using
the excessive power from the engine. It also recovers the kinetic energy in braking or coasting.
These advantages have attracted worldwide development interests for HEVs in the automotive
industry. Hybrid vehicle sales have exceeded $250k per year with 14 models available in 2007.
Experts predict that hybrid vehicles will take at least 10% of the total vehicle market share in the
next 5 years, and as a result, could affect 200,000 jobs in automotive related industries.
This presentation will look at the enabling technologies in the HEV field:







The pros and cons of HEVs
Parallel, series, and planetary gear architecture
Energy storage challenges
Power electronics
Plug-in and what it means
Emerging issues in HEV
New opportunities in HEV related fields
Bio: Dr. Chris Mi is assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering in the University of
Michigan – Dearborn, College of Engineering and Computer Science. He regularly offers a
graduate course in electric and hybrid vehicles. He has also taught courses and led seminars on the
subject for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Dr. Mi has conducted extensive research and published more than 60
articles on power electronics, motor drives, electric and hybrid vehicles. In addition to his position
at UM-Dearborn, he is the vice chair of the IEEE Southeast Michigan section. Dr. Mi holds a BS
and an MS degree from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, China, and a Ph.D degree
from the University of Toronto. Dr. Mi worked with General Electric Company from 2000 to 2001.
Dr. Mi won the “National Innovation Award 国家发明奖二等奖” in 1992, the “Government Special
Allowance 政府特殊津贴” in 1994, and was listed in Marquis “Who is Who in America.” Dr. Mi
is the winner of the 2005 “Distinguished Teaching Award” of University of Michigan Dearborn.
He is also a recipient of the 2007 IEEE Region 4 “Outstanding Engineer Award,” and 2007 “IEEE
Southeastern Michigan Section Outstanding Professional Award.” He is a Semifinalist of the 2007
SAE Environmental Excellence in Transportation (E2T) Award.
Dr Mi has been nominated for the IEEE Distinguished Lecturer Award and the IEEE Fellow.