OPPD - 11/20/08

Imagine driving to and from work every week using little or no gasoline, but still being able to drive long distances when you want. That’s the promise of a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The Omaha Public Power District has become the first utility in the state to see if the new vehicles can deliver on that promise.

The Plug-In Hybrid is much like regular hybrid vehicles, but has more battery capacity that allows it to travel about 30 miles without using any gasoline. When the car runs down the battery to a certain level, the gasoline engine starts and powers the car until the batteries can be charged again. The charging is done overnight from a normal house electrical outlet.

While a number of car makers have promised Plug-In Hybrid vehicles in a year or so, the vehicle is not yet mass produced. OPPD’s new car is a Toyota Prius that has been converted into a Plug-In Hybrid. Studies have shown that by lowering gas consumption, air emissions are lower, even when the vehicles are charged with electricity generated by fossil fuel-powered plants.

The point of the conversion for OPPD is to get an understanding of how well it really performs in the local climate, said Marc Nichols, the Division Manager-Sustainable Energy and Environmental Stewardship. Most testing has been done on the west coast until now.

"This is an opportunity to look into the future and see how the car works in snow and frigid weather and to anticipate the impact on our system," said Mr. Nichols. "The electric industry is set to become a fuel provider for the transportation industry. A driver will be able to plug in the car at night, get up next morning and drive to work primarily on electric power.''

As auto makers prepare to begin Plug-In Hybrid production late next year or in 2010, OPPD is running ahead of the industry. After evaluating a half-dozen companies that convert hybrids to the new technology, the District bought a standard Prius and purchased a conversion kit from HyMotion.

Operating on the 187-pound battery fitted in the spare tire well, this car travels mostly on electric power at speeds below 25 miles per hour said Steve Anderson, Manager-Transportation & Construction Equipment. The “all-electric” range is in the neighborhood of 30 miles.

When travelling at speeds above 25 miles per hour, climbing hills or accelerating, this Plug-In Hybrid needs a boost from its regular engine, Mr. Anderson said.

Early next year, OPPD expects to acquire a second Plug-In Hybrid that uses a different battery and control program. That unit is expected to provide all electric drive at higher speeds and acceleration demands.

The District, which will continue testing of the two Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles through 2009, also plans to display the cars at schools and special events to give the public a look at tomorrow's technology. It has long supported electric vehicle technology, starting the Power Drive electric vehicle competition for high school students ten years. OPPD now sponsors Power Drive with Nebraska Public Power District. Dozens of high schools and even some post-secondary schools from Nebraska and other states participate in the program each year.