 "Runs on Rays." Smart and Green... Looks like the folks over at Green Mountain Power have developed a way to get us around and help contribute to a healthy planet. Solar power assisted Toyota Prius fleet vehicles take the hybrid to another level.
Green Mountain Power has decorated the cars with bright graphics that proclaim, "Runs on Rays.” another example of vehicle vinyl wraps getting the word out to the public.
Green Mountain Power Converts Hybrids to Plug-In Technology
Vehicles Will Be Fueled by Solar Array at GMP Headquarters
Last update: 1:14 p.m. EST Nov. 21, 2008
COLCHESTER, VT, Nov 21, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Demonstrating a new way to power cars with solar energy, Green Mountain Power has converted two of its Toyota Prius fleet vehicles into plug-in hybrids (PHEV's).
The cars' batteries are charged using a 4 kw solar array that has been installed at GMP's headquarters in Colchester. The solar-charged vehicles boast mileage in the neighborhood of 100 miles per gallon for local trips and are among the cleanest vehicles on the road today.
To let the public know that the hybrids are powered in part by solar energy, Green Mountain Power has decorated the cars with bright graphics that proclaim, "Runs on Rays."
"These cars actually do 'run on rays'," said Mary Powell, president and chief executive officer of Green Mountain Power. "We installed enough solar power on-site here to fully charge them for day to day operations as a fantastic illustration of what's possible."
Plug-in hybrids are similar to conventional hybrid cars, but with additional battery capacity that can be charged by conventional household current. The 5 kwh battery pack is added to the trunk of the car and takes about 5 1/2 hours to charge. Once that power supply is exhausted, the vehicle runs like a regular hybrid making them incredibly versatile vehicles.
The electric industry is watching the development of plug-in hybrids carefully so that it can be prepared for the impact on the electrical grid. According to Ms. Powell, "The environmental advantages of using electricity rather than gas will help quickly drive this technology forward.
We wanted to use plug-in hybrids both to support the development of the technology and to be sure we fully understand how it will affect our future power supply needs."
Any Prius 2004 or later can be converted with the purchase of a kit. Even without the benefit of solar charging, a plug-in hybrid produces about 70% less carbon than a conventional gasoline powered vehicle.
Using Green Mountain Power's low emission electricity to charge the battery further reduces the carbon impact of driving.
Green Mountain Power currently operates 11 hybrid vehicles and plans to continue using fleet operations as a test bed for new technologies and demonstration projects.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power ( www.greenmountainpower.com) transmits, distributes and sells electricity and utility construction services in the State of Vermont in a service territory with approximately one quarter of Vermont's population. It serves approximately 94,000 customers.
For further information, please contact:
Dorothy Schnure
Green Mountain Power Manager of Corporate Communications
802-655-8418
SOURCE:
Market Watch...wsj.com
Green Mountain Power
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