1. What is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?
2. How is a PHEV different than a standard hybrid?
3. How far can I go in a PHEV?
4. What kind of mileage does the PHEV get?
5. How long does it take to charge the PHEV?
6. How much does it cost to recharge the PHEV battery?
7. How long will the batteries last?
8. How much does a PHEV cost?
9. What is the impact on the environment?
10. Why is BGE testing and demonstrating PHEVs?
11. What else is BGE doing to become more "green" in its fleet?
12. Are PHEVs available for heavy duty trucks?

What is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle that has been converted to enable all electric drive capability by adding an additional storage battery and charger. The conversion lets the vehicle operate using the auxiliary battery and electric motor to drive for the first 30 to 40 miles. When the auxiliary batteries are depleted, the car returns to standard hybrid operation. The additional batteries recharge by plugging into a standard 110 volt outlet. Using the electric drive capability will greatly increase gas mileage (mpg) and reduce emissions released to the environment.

How is a PHEV different than a standard hybrid?

The PHEV has additional battery capacity that allows it to run solely on the electric motor at speeds up to 35 mph until the batteries are depleted. The standard hybrid uses the factory installed on-board battery power and electric drive to operate the car while idling and at slow speeds and to provide additional boost during acceleration. The standard batteries are recharged as the car slows or brakes through regenerative braking.

How far can I go in a PHEV?

The PHEV battery should provide about 30 to 40 miles of all electric and/or blended driving range depending on the driving style, conditions and speed. When the PHEV auxiliary batteries are depleted, the car reverts to standard hybrid operation for unlimited driving with conventional gas fill-ups.

What kind of mileage does the PHEV get?

One of BGEs test objectives is to document the vehicle performance in the driving conditions in this area. The typical Prius hybrid can get 40-45 mpg prior to the PHEV conversion. BGE and other utility companies have found that 75 to 80 mpg is attainable in the PHEV in mostly city driving.

How long does it take to charge the PHEV?

It can take about five and a half hours to recharge a fully depleted PHEV battery when plugged into a 110-volt outlet. The actual time will vary by the amount of charge needed, the voltage and other battery conditions. The charge time is much less if the car has a 220-volt charging system.

How much does it cost to recharge the PHEV battery?

The PHEV battery is a five kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. At 14 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity, a full recharge would cost 70 cents. If the batteries are recharged on time-of-use rates at off-peak times, the cost can be less. At $3.00 per gallon of gas, it can cost 10 to 20 cents per mile for fuel in a conventional vehicle that gets between 15 and 20 miles per gallon. With a PHEV, the cost per mile on electric can be as low as five cents per mile.

How long will the batteries last?

The standard Prius nickel-metal hydride battery has proven to have a very long life. The expectation is that they can last seven to 10 years. The auxiliary batteries are lithium-ion phosphate and are also expected to last for many years. Significant testing is underway to determine just how long the batteries can last in a variety of driving conditions. Utilities and the automotive industry are also working to develop a second life for the used batteries in energy storage and electric grid support applications.

How much does a PHEV cost?

The only way to get a PHEV today is to convert a standard hybrid car to plug-in hybrid electric. The manufacturers are expected to introduce factory models starting in late 2010 or 2011. The conversion cost varies by model and conversion kit. The conversion package for this Prius cost about $10,500. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates that, with mass production, the cost of a PHEV battery will add $2,000 to $3,000 to the cost of a conventional hybrid. In 2009, tax incentives were made available to help offset the cost of conversions and PHEV purchases.

What is the impact on the environment?

EPRI studies show that a PHEV with a 20 mile electric range can save up to 300 gallons of petroleum fuel per year and reduce CO emissions by 38 percent. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 20 pounds or more for every gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel saved.

Why is BGE testing and demonstrating PHEVs?

BGEs testing and demonstration of PHEVs is to help the utility and its customers understand this developing technology. In the testing, BGE will explore ways to use the technology and to work with customers to help manage the charging impacts on the grid and the energy costs to the customers. In addition, BGE will test technologies to make it easy for customers to manage the charging cycles for the cars and test the tools needed to allow the cars to send power back into the home or utility grid. In the future, the utility industry foresees a day when the energy in the batteries can be used to supplement the power to the home or grid to help reduce costs and support reliability.

What else is BGE doing to become more "green" in its fleet?

BGE currently has six hybrid passenger vehicles and a hybrid bucket truck in its fleet. The utility is testing these vehicles in everyday use to see how the company too can reduce its use of petroleum based fuels and contribute to a clean environment. Biodiesel fuel is also used at BGE. The utility supplements its diesel fleet of 600 vehicles with biodiesel B20 (20% soybean oil). Biodiesel burns much cleaner than petroleum-based diesel and it is produced in the U.S. from renewable resources.

Are PHEVs available for heavy duty trucks?

There are PHEV conversions available for heavy duty trucks. The conversion allows the truck to accelerate with hybrid assist. It also powers a bucket lift continuously for up to four hours without a drop of fuel being used. This amounts to hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel saved every year, cleaner air at the work site, and quieter operation for surrounding homes and businesses.