Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordableEERE HomeEERE Home
Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center
About the AFDCFuelsVehiclesFleetsIncentives and LawsData, Analysis and TrendsInformation ResourcesHome
Alternative and Advanced Vehicles

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Applications

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are becoming widely available for a variety of applications. Their range, ease of use, ease of fueling, and various vehicle configuration options make them a good choice for almost everyone.

Consumer Applications

Most consumers want a vehicle that is fuel efficient, reliable, affordable, and safe. Today's HEV models are just as safe, comfortable, and reliable as conventional vehicles and about twice as fuel efficient. HEVs are typically cost competitive with conventional vehicles, even more so because of tax incentives.

Bus and Truck Applications

Several hybrid electric buses are available, which can easily be used for shuttle, transit, school, or trolley bus applications. To learn more about using HEVs in bus applications, visit the Fleet Applications section. Learn about hybrid electric buses in action through the following links.

Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Hybrid electric trucks can be custom ordered through several venders. The WestStart/CALSTART Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) generates demand for heavy-duty HEVs in the commercial market to accelerate vehicle development and reduce costs. Visit the site to learn more and see how you can become part of a fleet buying program.

The U.S. Department of Energy supports hybrid electric bus and truck activities through its 21st Century Truck Partnership and Advanced Heavy Hybrid Propulsion System Program.