How do you prove the benefits of a plug-in hybrid car to the public? Why set yourself a mechanical challenge of course.
A Florida car dealer set a mission to drive 1,100 miles in a Toyota Prius, which had been modified as a plug-in hybrid, while burning as little petrol as possible. Its goal was to trek from North Palm Beach to Washington DC on one tank or bust, with the Toyota dealer mechanic eventually completing the 10 day journey on nine gallons of petrol at an average of 123 miles a gallon.
The trip was sponsored by Florida Toyota dealer Earl Stewart to show the need for clean emission vehicles. He dubbed the car the Electric Green Machine, as it was fitted with custom A123 Hymotion lithium-ion batteries that were installed at the Advanced Vehicle Research Centre in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Much of the power was drawn from the vehicle’s electricity – indeed the electric motor can achieve 50mph with the regular hybrid system kicking in for faster speeds.
The drive attracted widespread interest as Rick Kearney, Stewart’s technician and driver, took the back roads to avoid reaching speeds that would cause the gas engine to kick in. Plug-ins, he believes, are most useful to those with a daily commute to work.
