California Center for Sustainable Energy

New energy-saving technology introduced at free public workshops

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 11, 2010) - The California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE) announced today that it will be a 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.

The announcement was made at the Alternative Fuels and Vehicles National Conference at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The center will receive three Prius PHVs scheduled for delivery in June, according to Mike Ferry, CCSE’s transportation programs manager. They will be in daily use as personal vehicles by engineers and staff members at CCSE, an independent, nonprofit organization focusing on renewable energy, green building, alternative fuels and other sustainability issues.

“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 California Center for Sustainable Energy 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.

In addition to its partnerships with automakers such as Toyota, CCSE administers California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, a program funded by the Air Resources Board that offers rebates for eligible zero-emission and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The new PHV Prius will qualify for the program, 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.