Toyota joins forces with Smartgridcity Project
Apparently it is easy being green if you’re a Prius. Toyota Motor Sales recently announced that is plans to involve ten Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHV) in the Xcel Energy SmartGridCity project in Boulder, Colorado. Being a Newark used Toyota dealer customer, I was excited to learn of Toyota’s further commitment to the green movement.
The Prius vehicles placed in the project will be the focus of a research project being coordinated by the University of Colorado at Boulder Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). This institute is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Although these Prius models are part of a demonstration fleet which will arrive in the U.S. in 2010 and are not yet available for purchase, “green” Prius models are available from of new and used cars NJ dealers.
One of the aspects I see as an improvement with the Prius PHV is it ability to reach highway speeds in electric only mode. Although the maximum electric only range will be only about 12 miles, the PHV is geared to revert to “hybrid mode” and operate like a regular Prius after electric use has been depleted. This is a step in the right direction for the green vehicle industry as so many of us are wary of purchasing a vehicle that can’t reach highway speeds while conserving energy.
The SmartGridCity project will be used to compile data on vehicle performance and charging patterns, consumer behavior and preferences and electric utility and customer interaction. The location in Boulder offers the added benefits of studying high altitude and cold weather effects on Toyota’s first generation lithium-ion battery. Those conducting the project believe it will offer new solutions for energy conservation and reduce dependence on foreign oil. So, whether you need a Newark Toyota oil change or a change to a vehicle less oil-dependent, keep the Toyota Prius and its future PHV models in mind.
This collaborative SmartGridCity program is the first fully functioning smart grid-enabled city in the world. The purpose of the project is to increase grid reliability and garner energy use information. The most fascinating thing about this project is that participating customers can use remote control to manage in-home energy devices. I hope this technology really moves quickly so we can all live in a Jetsons world. I can’t wait to push a button to turn up my heat before I get out of bed and cook my dinner on the way home, never mind charging my car right beside my cell phone.
