CU-NREL Energy Institute Launches Study of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles in Boulder; 18 Prius PHVs
15 September 2010
The University of Colorado at Boulder’s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, (RASEI)—a joint venture with the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory—will partner with Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. in a field study of household experiences and the technical impacts of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), in a smart grid environment.
Toyota Motor Sales will supply 18 Prius PHVs for the two-year program. (Earlier post.) The cars, which are slated to arrive in mid-September, will be circulated in three-month stints among 108 randomly selected Boulder households that volunteered to be part of smart grid pilot tests.
RASEI and Toyota Motor Sales, with the integral participation of Xcel Energy, will gather data on vehicle performance and electricity usage, as well as how households interact with vehicle feedback through smart grid technology. The Boulder location also presents the opportunity for researchers to monitor the performance of Toyota’s first-generation lithium-ion battery at high altitudes and in cold weather.
The 18 vehicles being used in the field study are part of a 150-vehicle demonstration program that Toyota Motor Sales is conducting throughout the United States.
The Prius PHV can be charged in approximately three hours from a standard 110-volt electrical outlet, or in one and a half hours with a 220-volt electrical outlet, and can cruise in electric-only mode for approximately 13 miles (21 km). For longer distances, the PHV reverts to its hybrid mode and operates like a regular Prius.
A community blog on the field study will be hosted at cupluginhybrid.org.
Put ZEBRA batteries in an old Prius and you can get 100 miles with technology developed by CALCARS. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 15 September 2010 at 03:48 AM
As much as some talk about conversions, I think people are waiting for the car makers to offer PHEVs. They like the warranty and service. It is a big expenditure and fly by night retrofits will not make it.
Posted by: SJC | 15 September 2010 at 09:41 AM
"RASEI and Toyota Motor Sales, with the integral participation of Xcel Energy, will gather data on vehicle performance and electricity as well as how households interact with vehicle feedback through smart grid technology."
What does this mean?
Some of this looks to be make work type research. But if it moves Toyota to introduce higher AER - wonderful!
Posted by: Reel$$ | 15 September 2010 at 10:37 AM