IRV'S SHEET: Let the Studies Begin - University Researchers take Possession of Prius Plug-in Hybrids

You may remember that back on July 26, I posted a piece announcing Toyota’s partnership with the University of California at Irvine and the University of California at Berkeley to test a pair of Prius plug-in hybrid vehicles – so-called PHEVs.

I'm pleased to note that earlier today, the hand-off of these two special vehicles to the university researchers finally took place here at our Torrance, California headquarters.

I suspect that many readers of this blog already know how PHEVs work; but just in case, allow me to recount:

Vehicles with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive don’t need to be plugged in. Rather, the battery package is kept charged by a combination of the vehicle’s gasoline engine and its regenerative braking system. This flexible system will operate in full electric mode, full gasoline mode or in a combination of both modes.

The PHEV system brings an interesting new ingredient into the hybrid equation: It uses an enlarged Nickel Metal Hydride (NIMH) battery pack that is capable of storing significantly higher levels of electricity than the standard Prius NIMH battery pack can store. And in addition to being charged in the same way a standard Prius battery pack is charged, electricity also can be brought on board the PHEV by plugging the vehicle into a standard wall outlet for periodic charging sessions.

With significantly more electric power in reserve as a result of the enlarged battery pack and its charging sessions, the Prius PHEV is capable of operating in pure electric mode for longer periods of time, and at higher speeds, than the standard Prius.

The resulting fuel efficiency improvements mean lower CO2 emissions, less fuel consumption and less pollution.

The plug-in procedure is simple. A plug on one end of the Prius PHEV’s power cord is a standard three-prong plug that can be connected to any household or garage electrical outlet. The other end of the cord is shaped more like a gas-pump nozzle and plugs into the Prius PHEV. When both ends of the cord are connected, the Prius PHEV’s batteries become fully charged in about four hours. A full charge will allow electric-only trips of up to seven miles.

The question, of course, is this: How will it all work in the real world?

That’s the question that researchers at the Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) will attempt to answer.

Researchers at UC Irvine will be focusing on some of the technical challenges, as well as determining the emissions benefits of plug-ins. The questions this study will ask will include:

How do we measure and test fuel economy and vehicle emissions? How do we account for the upstream emissions from electricity generation?

In regions with a higher-carbon grid mix, do plug-ins still provide an emissions benefit?

Researchers at UC Berkeley, meanwhile, will primarily focus on the customer experience.

Do people want to plug in their vehicles? What trade-offs are drivers willing to   make between range, charging time, battery size and battery cost? Will people charge only at night, or will drivers want access to outlets where they work and shop?

These are some of the things we feel it’s important to know as our engineers and researchers continue down the road to greater energy efficiency.

The studies, which are being conducted in conjunction with the Alternative Fuel Incentive Program jointly developed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC), are scheduled to last for three years. It will be time well spent. What we learn will be essential in helping us build cars that will fit into our lives as we move forward toward energy independence and sustainable mobility. So stay tuned.

~ Contributed by Irv Miller, Group Vice President, Corporate Communications

Comments

[Frank Stefanik]

Please keep me up to date when a vehicle like this is available

[Frank Stefanik]

I would like to have a PHEV vehicle as soon as possible

[Tom Trapp]

If you're interested in rural participant for the PHEV study, I would definitely be interested. I currently have a Lexus 400H and would purchase a PHEV as soon as it becomes available.

[Bill Lock]

I own a 2006 Prius and would replace it with a PHEV if one were available with a 50+ mile all-electric range. This would allow us to do most of our driving without using gasoline.

I think you'll find that people who own Prius' will look favorably on PHEV's because there isn't really a downside (other than cost). My guess is that it's easier and more cost-effective to control pollution at large, central generating plants than in every motor vehicle, so using electricity is a benefit.

If the incremental cost of PHEV technology is reasonable, it would be a very powerful value proposition.

I think that having recharging stations available at work, etc would be useful for those with long commutes, but otherwise is unnecessary. If the PHEV has sufficient electric range, the occasional need to use gasoline for medium-length trips is acceptable.

As an aside, the current Prius would benefit immensely from a LIon battery. This would allow the electric motor to assist the gasoline engine for much longer periods.

If you need someone to test a PHEV, please keep me in mind. :)

Best Regards,
Bill Lock
California, USA

[Laurie Pitman]

I am already 110% solar power at home. Having a PHEV would remove me from fossil fuel dependence completely. Every Prius owner I know in Berkeley would be THRILLED to replace their current car w/ an electric only. However, although I don't drive to work every day, I commute about 40 miles EACH WAY to work, so I need more than a 7-mile range. I also live in the hills up some steep stretches, which is a strain on my current battery. (I own a 2007 Prius, just bought my father a 2008, and gave my son my original 2002.) -- Laurie Pitman, Berkeley, CA

[Ross F. Guldenbrein]

We are a retired couple with two older vehicles. We are waiting for PHEV's to come to market, at which time we will dump our two cars in favor of a single, new PHEV. Our hope is that Toyota will offer this option sooner, rather than latter!

[Josh Olson]

PLEASE produce a production PHEV... we need this as a country and it would differentiate any auto manufacturer now and give you a competitive advantage today. I know how they would work and the benefits. I just don't know where I can buy one in Minneapolis, MN. Are you interested in selling one to me? Actually, make that 2... my spouse needs one too!

I believe it is crazy that someone didn't do this originally... if given an option... why wouldn't you have a PHEV vs. a HEV?

Also, please make one with something similar to the Microsoft Sync software... Ford is using it now to provide a bit of a competitive advantage... however, they don't have it on their Hybrid!!!! Why not have the best hybrid married to the best communications and safety system? the system allows you to drive hands free phone calls, music, etc. but also will translate text messages to voice and back again... so if you are going to be 10 mins late to a meeting and your boss texts you to ask where you are at... you can simply speak to the car to say ... "10 mins away" ...

Thanks,
Josh

[Robert Stone]

I own an '06 Prius and am interested in the possibility of learning how it can be converted to a PHEV without voiding its warranty.

[Roy]

Why wait for a production PHEV. Seems to me like Toyota is dragging their feet. There are 1000's of hybrid vehicles on the road which could be converted. All it takes is the political will, dumping our reliance on oil & safety studies. I think Toyota is the first out of the gate with this option. The Volt from Chevrolet & the Tesla all-electric for high end consumers will test the market.

(comment edited to remove link - Roadmaster)

[Habodabi]

I have a 2005 Toyota Prius. I don't see the need for any more studies to determine if the public will adopt new technologies or not. Just sell me one already.

Who benefits from NOT making better cars?

[D. De Sasia]

Living in Los Angeles, CA without a public transportation system that reaches all areas of LA I have to drive to work everyday, thus contributing to the detriment of LA air quality (not to mention global warming). Last year I had solar panels installed looking forward to the purchase of two TOYOTA PHEVs. I hope TOYOTA will start mass producing PHEVs, the current batteries are good enough!

[E. Siniff]

When will the real electric car come back? The PHEV sounds promising but needs a longer range. I want to replace my 2002 Toyota Echo stick shift with an all electric vehicle. My Echo gets better mileage than any car I have driven. It is not uncommon to hit 45 MPG, but that is not good enough. Going Green all the way is my goal. Using electric only to travel across the country is my desire. The electric cars that once hit the roads in California are what we need now. Please bring them back.

[EJ1962]

This seems very useful to me; even a modest range of 7 miles is great to get around town (to the store, the school, etc) on electricity alone, while avoiding cold starts.

I have one question though: if you charge/discharge those NiMH batteries every day will they last as long as the regular Prius batteries?

[J. Brendel]

We're eagerly anticipating the arrival of an affordable plug-in electric vehicle. But if it's not assembled in the USA, we won't buy it.......................

When buying a car, one of our main goals is to reduce fossil-fuel consumption, for two reasons that I suspect motivate lots of people here. First, we want to reduce air pollution. Second, we want to protect America by reducing the amount of money we send to hostile or authoritarian oil-exporting regimes (such as #1 net-exporter Saudi Arabia, #2 Russia, #4 Iran, and #6 Venezuela)................

But, unlike some hybrid supporters, we place an equal priority on preservation of good-paying manufacturing jobs here in the US.
The only reason we haven't bought a Prius is that they're not made/assembled in the US yet. (Same reason we haven't bought a hybrid Ford Fusion, which is assembled in Mexico).................

Our message to Toyota: assemble a Prius plug-in in the US and our household will step up and buy TWO.

[GCP]

Please tell me we will not have to wait three long years for an answer. Build it now and we will come.

[Rangerdavid]

I'd gladly volunteer my 2006 Prius for a conversion!! Even here in the mountains I'm getting an average of 52.6 overall. I can only imagine what a plug in conversion would do!

Otherwise, Please please please put one on the market soon so I can trade in my silver pine mica! (but it has to be another SPM:-)

[david laur]

i have a 2006 Prius and a 2007 Zenn EV. i would buy an EV with as little as 20 miles all EV range immediately. i would prefer 40 miles but i think this is a long time coming and you will sell a lot of them around here.

also, bring back an ALL Electric. the Rav 4 EV's prove that you can do it. My Zenn as much as i appreciate it, only does 35 mph and has only about 25 miles of range in the winter. i paid $15,000 for it. guess what i would pay for a real EV