University of Vermont Receives Plug In Hybrids for Research Study
Current hybrid technology is evolving through research to include the plug in hybrids that environmental advocates hope will soon be the standard for all hybrids. There have been some concerns about the performance of the new plug in hybrids and many places have been putting the cars though their paces. Once such place is the University of Vermont.
University of Vermont president Daniel Mark Fogel was given a brand new Toyota Prius that had been converted to a plug in hybrid. The car was given to the school by Central Vermont Public Service. The car will be used by researchers at the school to study the effects of the hilly, cold conditions of the Vermont winters will effect the car’s performance. Plug in hybrid cars are fitted with a new lithium ion battery and recharge by being plugged into a standard electrical outlet.
CVPS president Bob Young presented the modified Prius to President Fogel as part of the innovative plug ‘ go program. The program is the first in the country that allows drivers to use the new plug in hybrids to reduce fuel consumption and environmental pollution.
President Fogel said the school is extremely happy to participate with CVPS in research that will provide a smarter and cleaner type of transportation that will be environmentally friendly and economically beneficial, practical mode of transportation to a number of Americans.
Governor Jim Douglas agreed with Fogel and stated that the program will make Vermont a international leader in the charge to find cleaner energy technology that will help reduce dependence of oil and will strengthen the United State economy.
The research that will be done on the plug in hybrids will be specific to Vermont, which is known for its harsh winters. Researchers will monitor the performance of the plug in hybrid vehicles in different points and altitudes throughout the state and in a variety of weather conditions.
To assist n the study, a group of local and long distance Vermont commuters will be asked to use the plug in hybrids as they go about their daily driving routine. They drivers will collect data about their electricity use, their carbon emissions and the plug in hybrids performance during different driving conditions.
The cars will also be used to study the effect of plug in hybrids on the states electrical grid. Vermont researchers hope to learn enough about energy use to keep plug in hybrids from being a huge burden on Vermont’s electric capacity. If everyone charged their hybrids at the same time, it could force energy companies to raise rates or to buy energy from outside sources.
Plug in hybrid research is increasing because of the urgency in finding non-polluting modes of transportation. In a recent study it was shown that over a quarter of all U.S. greenhouse gases are caused by the U.S. transportation system. Experts claim that if 50,000 current cars were switched with cleaner, more fuel efficient plug in technology then carbon emissions would drop by 31 percent.
