U.S. Department of Energy – Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Testing and Demonstration Activities

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity tests plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in closed track, dynamometer, and on-road testing environments. The purpose of this testing is to determine the potential of PHEV technology to reduce petroleum consumption. It also allows documentation of PHEV driving and charging profiles and electric charging infrastructure requirements. As of March 2009, the Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity has initiated testing on 12 PHEV models from aftermarket conversion companies and original equipment manufacturers. In addition to performing controlled dynamometer and on-road testing, AVTA has collected in-use data from 155 PHEVs operating in 23 U.S. states and Canadian provinces. This fleet has demonstrated an average increase in cumulative fuel economy of 22 to 55% when in charge depleting mode, as compared to charge sustaining mode. Charge depleting range has varied from 32 to 64 miles, depending on the vehicle and battery pack. In ideal conditions, some vehicles have achieved monthly fuel economy results of 80 to 120 miles per gallon through frequent charging and less aggressive driving styles