Abstract
Traffic accident investigations involving hybrid vehicles are increasing. In this study, rear crash energy absorption characteristics of hatchback sedan type hybrid vehicles were investigated through a full-wrap rigid barrier collision experiment. As a result, the characteristics became quadratically stiffer in the range of small deformation (0 to 0.25 m),
which is softer than a conventional engine vehicle. In addition, the range of large deformation (0.25 to 0.7 m), hardens sharply and rises linearly. Using these characteristics, an energy absorption diagram for hybrid vehicles was proposed. This diagram can be used to analyze rear-end accidents of hybrid vehicles more accurately, and is expected to be useful for accident reconstruction.
