California Center for Sustainable Energy

Toyota selects center for plug-in hybrid demo program

CCSE is set to partner in the Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) demonstration program to assess vehicle performance and real-world driver experiences with three cars scheduled for delivery in June, according to Mike Ferry, CCSE’s transportation programs manager.

The announcement was made May 11 at the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles National Conference at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The cars will be in daily use as personal vehicles by CCSE engineers and staff members.

“The plug-in Prius is an evolutionary step forward in Toyota’s development of hybrid-electric technology, but it is a revolutionary leap forward in the automotive industry,” Ferry said. “The center is honored to partner with Toyota on this exciting demonstration program that is leading us toward a future of cleaner vehicles.”

During the 18-month demonstration program, CCSE also plans to partner with Juice Technologies of Columbus, Ohio, on advanced smart charging capabilities for plug-in electric vehicles.

Marketed under the brand Plug Smart, the technology will allow consumers to control when and how much their vehicles will charge when connected to a standard electrical outlet. For instance, consumers can program their cars to charge only when the price of electricity is least expensive. When paired with a smart meter or using an internet connection, the Plug Smart technology also provides utilities with the ability to communicate with the charger, allowing safe and efficient integration of vehicle charging with the electricity grid.

When the Prius PHV arrives at Toyota dealerships in 2012, the cars will qualify for the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project that CCSE administers statewide, however, the rebate amount has yet to be determined, according to Ferry.

“Someday soon, Californians will have the choice to drive past the gas pump and high gas prices to choose something better,” Ferry said. “The Prius PHV is a major step in getting us there.”

Just like a standard 2010 Toyota Prius, the Prius PHV combines a 98-horsepower, 1.8-liter gasoline engine with an electric motor that produces the equivalent of 80 hp. The difference is that the PHV can operate in electric-only mode, powering itself on batteries alone for approximately 13 miles (20 km) up to speeds of 62 mph (100 km/h). The PHV has lithium-ion battery packs that can be recharged from an ordinary 110-volt electrical outlet in about three hours.

Toyota is looking to accomplish a number of goals with its nationwide Prius PHV demonstration program, including confirming the overall performance of its first-generation lithium-ion drive battery, gauging public interest in the new technology and assessing overall market preparedness for plug-in hybrids, which will arrive at Toyota dealerships in 2012.

"It is imperative that consumers fully understand both the potential and the challenges involved in the electrification of the automobile," said John Hanson, Toyota’s national manager of environmental, safety and quality communications. "Through this demonstration program, and a similar program for our hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, consumers will be informed on how these new mobility alternatives will fit with their transportation needs, their lifestyles and their budget."

Toyota’s Prius demonstration program will place 150 vehicles in the U.S. with universities, corporations, government agencies, car-sharing programs and other groups, such as CCSE.

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