PHEVs get more real-world testing

Seattle-Tacoma-area fleets will test 14 of the more than 30 demo vehicles throughout the state. Washington organizations testing PHEVs as green fleets include the City of Seattle and Seattle City Light, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Tacoma Power, Green IT Alliance, Benton County Public Utility District, Douglas County Public Utility District, and the University of Washington.

Most of the demonstration cars are being converted from conventional hybrids to PHEVs using high-power lithium ion batteries and conversion kits from Hymotion, in cooperation with the Kirkland WA-based Green Car Company. Data loggers, cellular modems and GPS units from Seattle-based V2Green, Inc., will collect data and send it to INL for analysis.

Combined with PHEVs in New York, Hawaii, California, Arizona and other states, more than 140 PHEVs around the nation will feed data to INL by the end of 2008 as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity.

The Cutting Edge News

 

Toyota and EDF will launch a trial of the UK's first plug-in hybrid car tomorrow (10 September). I'll be at the event in Hyde Park, so watch this space for a full report, photos and video as the official Toyota Plug-in Prius hits Britain.

EDF's chief exec and Toyota's managing officer are both attending. The invite letter says "the purpose of our UK trial is to evaluate not only vehicle performance, but also the electrical infrastructure required, as well as driver behaviour and expectations. The results will play a key role in preparing for the future commercialisation of Plug-in Hybrid technology."

Plug-in Prius trial hits UK - News at SmartPlanet.com