20 Ford Escape Hybrids and 10 Toyota Priuses will be converted to plug-ins soon with the approval of the $2.6-million contract by California’s Board of the AQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District).
The Escape hybrids will be converted by the Quantum Technologies and the Prius, by the Hymotion. The project will be using converted hybrid electric vehicles, which are commercially available in sufficient numbers so that a wide array of driving cycles can be provided.
This will expose a large number of users to PHEV technology. It will also establish statistically significant data for providing feedback to the battery manufacturer. For developing the demonstration program AQMD will work with interested fleets, at up to 15 sites.
Further funding for additional vehicles will depend on performance under these proposed contracts and their value to AQMD.
