About the IS300h
The IS300h 4-door sedan joins the hybrid model for Lexus. Lexus Hybrid Drive means that
the vehicle contains a gasoline engine and an electric motor for power. The two hybrid
power sources are stored on board the vehicle:
1. Gasoline stored in the fuel tank for the gasoline engine.
2. Electricity stored in a high voltage Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack for the electric motor.
The result of combining these two power sources is improved fuel economy and reduced
emissions. The gasoline engine also powers an electric generator to recharge the battery
pack; unlike a pure all electric vehicle, the IS300h never needs to be recharged from an
external electric power source.
Depending on the driving conditions one or both sources are used to power the vehicle. The
following illustration demonstrates how the IS300h operates in various driving modes.
During light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is powered by the electric motor.
The gasoline engine is shut off.
During normal driving, the vehicle is powered mainly by the gasoline engine. The
gasoline engine also powers the generator to recharge the battery pack and to drive the
motor.
During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline engine and the electric
motor power the vehicle.
During deceleration, such as when braking, the vehicle regenerates kinetic energy from
the rear wheels to produce electricity that recharges the battery pack.
While the vehicle is stopped, the gasoline engine and electric motor are off, however the
vehicle remains on and operational.
Stopping
Normal Driving
Starting
Acceleration
Deceleration
Electricity Electricity and gasoline
Electricity and gasoline
(additional electricity
extracted from batteries)
Charging batteries
Engine automaticall
stopped
1
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