The Lowly Inverter/Converter: Making Hybrids Go

Most hybrids (and EVs, for that matter) use high voltage AC traction motors to power the car--passengers, cargo and all--down the road. And the juice for all that locomotion comes from what amounts to a suitcase-size DC battery pack stowed somewhere behind the rear seat.

So the question becomes: How does that "smallish" battery get up enough gumption to push what amounts to a couple of tons of "dead weight" from a standing-stop to highway speed? Enter the hardworking inverter/converter unit.

2nd and 3rd generation Prius inverter/converter units © Toyota