Dominion Virginia Power Tests Plug-In Hybrid Cars, Hybrid Bucket Trucks

19 February 2009

A Dominion PHEV Prius and hybrid bucket truck. Click to enlarge.

Dominion Virginia Power has added two plug-in electric hybrid cars and two hybrid-powered bucket trucks to its fleet as part of its efforts to determine the impact of plug-in vehicles on electricity demand and to find ways to conserve energy and reduce vehicle emissions.

Two Toyota Prius hybrids have been converted with the Hymotion L5 Plug-in Conversion Module from A123Systems. The 5 kWh L5 pack, built with A123Systems’ nanophosphate Li-ion batteries, supports fuel economy of up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles within the electrically assisted driving range. Recharging requires about five hours through a standard 110-volt electrical outlet.

Greenhouse gas emissions for the plug-in versions are half those of a standard Prius and about 80% less than those of a gas-powered midsize sedan

The Prius PHEVs will be instrumented for data collection as part of a larger US Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho National Laboratories study of modified hybrid vehicles.

The International DuraStar hybrid-electric bucket trucks (earlier post) can provide fuel savings of nearly 60% in utility-type applications when the engine can be shut off, but electric power still operates the vehicle. Diesel emissions are completely eliminated when the hybrid truck operates equipment (like overhead utility booms) solely on the truck’s battery power, instead of requiring the engine to run.

These trucks, which produce lower emissions and less noise, have been assigned to Dominion’s offices in Northern Virginia.

The new hybrid trucks—and all on-road diesel trucks in Dominion Virginia Power’s fleet—operate on a blend of 80% diesel fuel and 20% biofuel produced in Virginia from soy.

The company uses approximately 1.7 million gallons of biofuel per year in 783 trucks. Lower vehicle operating costs resulting from improved fuel economy and reduced engine maintenance requirements offset the slightly higher cost of biofuel.

Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 27,000 megawatts of generation. Dominion serves retail energy customers in 12 states.