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Advanced Energy leads plug-in car conversions Advanced Energy and local utilities convert vehicles to plug-ins for increased fuel economy of up to 100 miles per gallon RALEIGH, N.C. (August 6, 2007) -- Recharging one's car to achieve fuel economy of up to 100 miles per gallon may soon become a reality for North Carolina residents. Collaborative efforts initiated by Advanced Energy, a Raleigh-based non-profit, have led to the conversion of three vehicles by the Advanced Vehicle Research Center (AVRC). The converted plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), each a Toyota Prius, are owned by Advanced Energy, Duke Energy and Progress Energy and will be used to demonstrate that plug-in technology can improve fuel efficiency, reduce harmful emissions and maximize the use of cleaner energy. With funding from Dominion North Carolina Power, Duke Energy, the North Carolina Electric Cooperatives and Progress Energy, the converted vehicles will be monitored by Advanced Energy to measure fuel economy and performance. As fuel prices steadily increase, interest in innovative vehicle technology continues to grow. Toyota has already sold a million hybrid cars to date, according to the company’s website. A Prius uses both a gas engine and electric motors to power the wheels. The retrofitted PHEVs use an added larger lithium ion battery housed where the spare wheel is typically stored. The conversion takes about four hours and could potentially double the fuel economy of a standard Prius, depending on driving conditions. “With the plug-in conversion, the car will run on a fully charged battery for the first 35 or 40 miles on just the additional battery pack,” said Dick Dell, executive director of AVRC. “After that time the car runs in the normal hybrid way, using the gas engine as needed.” Fuel economy is a primary benefit of utilizing PHEV technology, but these vehicles will also reduce emissions while using cleaner fuel. The back bumper has a plug that allows the larger battery to recharge using a standard 110 volt house outlet. “Plug-in hybrid vehicles generally use electricity during off-peak hours, which helps make more efficient use of our power plants while reducing emissions significantly,” said Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas. A recent study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) concludes that use of PHEVs can improve nationwide air quality and reduce dependency on nonrenewable resources. The study results showed that “there is an abundant supply of electricity for transportation” and that “widespread adoption of PHEVs can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by more than 450 million metric tons annually in 2050—equivalent to removing 82.5 million passenger cars from the road.” The converted PHEVs in North Carolina will be monitored for performance in the coming months, and will provide information for continued efforts to promote the benefits of plug-in hybrid electric technology. About Advanced Energy |