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INL to test plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Seattle area

INL will provide funding and technical support to convert six vehicles to plug-in hybrids.

Seattle--Oct. 24, INL representatives Mike Hagood, Jim Francfort and Tim Murphy participated in a news briefing held by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Nickels announced the establishment of a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) testing program in the Seattle area. PHEVs can be charged with electricity like pure electric vehicles and run under engine power like hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). The combination offers increased driving range with potentially large fuel and cost savings, emissions reductions and other benefits.

Nickels detailed the one-year demonstration project using 13 hybrid Toyota Priuses that will be converted to PHEVs by adding additional diagnostic equipment, a second battery pack and other plug-in features - including the ability to recharge the battery from electrical outlets. These advanced vehicles are expected to get the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon in city driving.

The news release from the mayor's office quoted INL's Energy Systems Business Manager Mike Hagood. "This project will collect valuable performance data needed to help the U.S. Department of Energy support development of a cleaner and more efficient transportation," said Hagood. "The participants in this study will provide real-time, real-life information vital to ensuring these technological advances become viable on a wide-scale basis. We couldn't do this important work without them."

Energy Storage and Transportation Systems manager Tim Murphy, and Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity lead Jim Francfort also participated. They met with program participants from King County, Port of Seattle, and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, who will be demonstrating these vehicles in their respective jurisdictions.

Francfort has led DOE's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity since 1994, in association with Phoenix-based Electronic Transportation Applications.

View the City of Seattle news release.

Learn more about INL's Advance Vehicle Testing Activity.

Learn more about plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.