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Advanced Energy leads plug-in conversions with three new partners Converted vehicles can increase fuel economy to more than 100 miles per gallon Raleigh, N.C. (October 30, 2007) —Advanced Energy, a resource for innovative and market-based approaches to energy issues, has collaborated with new partners to convert three cars to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The conversion of each Toyota Prius was completed yesterday with help from Hymotion, the conversion module manufacturer, and the Advanced Vehicle Research Center, an automotive research and development company. The three newly converted PHEVs are owned by South Carolina Electric and Gas, the City of Raleigh, and Four County Electric Membership Corporation. PHEVs can increase fuel economy to more than 100 miles per gallon while reducing harmful emissions and maximizing the use of cleaner energy. A Toyota Prius uses both a gas engine and electric motors to power the wheels. The retrofitted PHEVs use an added lithium ion battery (recharged using a standard 110-volt house outlet), allowing the vehicle to rely on the electric motors more to consume less gasoline. “As fuel prices steadily increase, interest in innovative vehicle technology continues to grow,” said Ewan Pritchard, hybrid program manager at Advanced Energy. A recent study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) concludes that widespread adoption of PHEVs can reduce dependency on nonrenewable resources and improve nationwide air quality. “Widespread adoption 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 study reports. The conversions facilitated by Advanced Energy take about four hours and could potentially double the fuel economy of a standard Prius, depending on the driving conditions. The extra battery assists the vehicle for the first 35 or 40 miles, and then the car operates as a standard hybrid. It looks like a standard hybrid as well. “Other than the plug on the rear bumper, you can’t see a difference between these converted vehicles and a typical Prius,” said Dick Dell, executive director of AVRC. “You will see a difference at the gas pump.” In addition, plug-in hybrid vehicles generally use electricity during off-peak hours, making more efficient use of power plants while reducing emissions significantly. “We are excited to be able to demonstrate this technology to our members, other electric cooperatives and the general public. We greatly appreciate funding from the Cooperative Research Network that made this possible,” said Mitch Keel, Chief Executive Officer of Four County Electric Membership Corporation. In August, Advanced Energy initiated and facilitated the conversion of vehicles owned by Advanced Energy, Duke Energy and Progress Energy. Several of the converted PHEVs in North Carolina will be monitored for performance in the coming months to provide information for continued efforts to promote the benefits of plug-in hybrid technology. About Advanced Energy |