Companies Explore PHEVs

As advanced vehicle technologies move forward, a growing number of organizations are pursuing the use and exploring the performance of plug-in hybrid electronic vehicles (PHEVs), among them California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District, Wisconsin Public Power Inc., and Central Vermont Public Service.

South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) in California is the air pollution control agency for an area that covers more than 10,000 square miles, is home to more than 16 million people, and encompasses all of Orange County and the urban areas of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. This spring AQMD awarded $2.6 million to Quantum Technologies and Hymotion to convert 30 new hybrid vehicles that are currently on the market into plug-ins. AQMD has championed plug-ins since 2000 when it began awarding funding for the development and demonstration of numerous PHEV projects. The agency believes that this expansion of its fleet will help it to collect important data that will be useful to battery providers and also help speed the commercial viability of PHEVs.

Wisconsin Public Power Inc. (WPPI) is eager to show off its set of Prius plug-ins. The eye-catching vehicles are painted with bright graphics that depict clean blue skies, white clouds, and organic images. One of the license plates reads, “GAS SIPR.” The vehicles, according to WPPI, with their larger batteries and charge-overnight capability can travel up to 30 miles on electricity alone, before the Prius’ standard gas/electric hybrid operating system kicks in. The result is a vehicle that boasts up to 100+ miles per gallon. WPPI believes that its demonstration will encourage automakers to bring PHEVs to the market quickly because the vehicles use existing technology and requite no new infrastructure. The company is committed to being a leader in the effort to ensure energy security, a healthier economy, and a cleaner environment.

In Rutland, Vermont, Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) hopes to attract early adopters of PHEV technology to its plug ’n go program. PHEV owners can sign up for an off-peak electric rate that would significantly lower their driving costs. An industry expert estimates that a hybrid electric vehicle that is on the market today is converted into. At off-peak rates, a PHEV that is capable of 100+ miles per gallon offers the cost equivalent for plug ’n go participants of less than $1 per gallon. The company also hopes to demonstrate how two-way plug-ins can guarantee electric power reliability for customers when their PHEV is used as a backup in case of a power failure and the potential for increased value for PHEVs to use a two-way connection to act as a stabilizer and a resource for the electric power grid, sending power back to it when needed.

Each of these companies is certain that these demonstrations will provide valuable insight into the efficiencies and performance of PHEVs, helping to spur the development of advanced vehicle technologies, and, as they raise public awareness, acting as triggers for consumer demand for the vehicles.

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