In addition to building and delivering hydrogen fuel cell versions of its Sprinter van (earlier post) DaimlerChrysler is also developing two different diesel hybrid versions: one with and one without a plug-in recharger. A plug-in hybrid is one in which the batteries can be recharged even when the engine is not operating, or the vehicle is not moving, simply by plugging it into a 110 or 220-volt socket.

Both models (plug-in and not) are parallel hybrids—the electric motors can contribute motive power, or they can drive the vehicles on their own in certain conditions. The motors are powered by NiMH (nickel/metal hydride) batteries which are constantly recharged by the engine (acting as a generator) and through regenerative braking. The basic vehicle is a Sprinter 311 CDI (diesel) with an automatic transmission.

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