Peter Dinham
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 13:46
Science -
Energy
Page 1 of 2
The CSIRO and energy distributor, SP AustNet, have started a three-month road trial of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which could one day end up in every Australian driveway, after modification of the car using a US-developed conversion kit at the CSIRO’s laboratories in the Melbourne suburb of Clayton.
Over the next three months, staff from SP AusNet
will use the PHEVs for their daily drive to work and for leisure as
part of the CSIRO and SP AusNet trial.
The CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship scientist, Dr Phillip Paevere,
told iTWire today that running as an all-electric vehicle, the modified
Toyota Prius will travel at up to 70 kilometres an hour over a distance
of 40 kilometres, which is more than a normal Prius running in
all-electric mode.
Dr Paevere said “this car is ideal for running over short distances,
taking the kids somewhere or doing the shopping, and as battery
technology improves so will vehicle speeds and distances.”
CSIRO engineers have modified the PHEVs to carry a 30Ah NiMH battery
which they say is capable of holding a 6kWh charge, and a battery
charger, to allow the cars to plug into and charge with electricity
from the grid or from on-site renewable energy sources. The conversion of the car took scientists only one week to complete using the kit developed by enthusiasts in the US.
Dr Paevere said the road trial is collecting extensive information on
how the existing PHEV technology could be used for a new application,
using the car as a large mobile battery which can be integrated and
used in the home.
“The PHEVs have been fitted with instruments which will monitor the
travel patterns of different users, and the residual battery power left
in the car at the end of the day, which could be available for other
uses.
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