Launch of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle demonstration in Strasbourg, April 2010
Working together in building low-carbon mobility, Toyota and EDF have been developing since 2007 a pilot project for conducting tests on plug-in hybrid vehicles combined with communicating charging technologies.
On 26th April 2010 we are launching the second phase of this project. It comprises a demonstration, in real-life conditions in Strasbourg and its region, concerning about one hundred Prius plug-in hybrid vehicles and a network of dedicated charging infrastructures. This ambitious and pioneer programme is backed by ADEME (the French Energy Efficiency Office) within the framework of its “Demonstrators Fund” research programme for vehicles with zero-emission of greenhouse gases, and benefits from the valuable support of the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg.
For three years, this project will be the subject of top-level scientific and technical monitoring. In a few months we will be drawing the first conclusions.
On 26th April 2010 we are launching the second phase of this project. It comprises a demonstration, in real-life conditions in Strasbourg and its region, concerning about one hundred Prius plug-in hybrid vehicles and a network of dedicated charging infrastructures. This ambitious and pioneer programme is backed by ADEME (the French Energy Efficiency Office) within the framework of its “Demonstrators Fund” research programme for vehicles with zero-emission of greenhouse gases, and benefits from the valuable support of the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg.
For three years, this project will be the subject of top-level scientific and technical monitoring. In a few months we will be drawing the first conclusions.
A project for tomorrow’s mobility
About one hundred plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) in a demonstration in Strasbourg and the surrounding region
EDF and Toyota have teamed up for a large-scale real-life testing of the newest generation of clean and economic vehicles in Strasbourg.
This demonstration, supported by the City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg, will enable verification, under real-life conditions, of the applicability of a new solution to individual mobility. Its objective is to record actual savings achieved by the users during their day-to-day trips, the whole year long.
Furthermore, the project has received funding through the «demonstration fund for low-greenhouse gas emission vehicles» created within the framework of the Grenelle de l’Environnement administered by ADEME.
Starting in April 2010 and during a three-year period, around 100 Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs) will be allied to a number of operational recharging solutions, designed to facilitate electric charging and billing procedures.
This demonstration, supported by the City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg, will enable verification, under real-life conditions, of the applicability of a new solution to individual mobility. Its objective is to record actual savings achieved by the users during their day-to-day trips, the whole year long.
Furthermore, the project has received funding through the «demonstration fund for low-greenhouse gas emission vehicles» created within the framework of the Grenelle de l’Environnement administered by ADEME.
Starting in April 2010 and during a three-year period, around 100 Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs) will be allied to a number of operational recharging solutions, designed to facilitate electric charging and billing procedures.
The EDF – Toyota partnership
Since September 2007, EDF and Toyota are partners in an experimental programme involving the use of 3 PHV prototypes in the fleet of EDF, and since September 2008 of 1 vehicle at EDF Energy in the United Kingdom. EDF and Toyota also experiment a new generation of charging points, called ‘PLC’, which are able to communicate with the vehicle.
The demonstration programme is the logical follow-up to this initial research and development phase, during which around 50 participants from the EDF Group took part as drivers of the first generation of PHVs.
Based on very encouraging results from these initial tests, EDF and Toyota decided to pursue testing at the next level, experimenting using one hundred or so of the latest-generation PHVs with – thanks to lithium-ion batteries – increased autonomy, and within a large European metropolitan area.
The demonstration programme is the logical follow-up to this initial research and development phase, during which around 50 participants from the EDF Group took part as drivers of the first generation of PHVs.
Based on very encouraging results from these initial tests, EDF and Toyota decided to pursue testing at the next level, experimenting using one hundred or so of the latest-generation PHVs with – thanks to lithium-ion batteries – increased autonomy, and within a large European metropolitan area.
Strasbourg - first city to experience the PHV in Europe
Strasbourg has always been an innovative city on transportation matters. In an economy-minded and dynamic institutional environment, municipal groups and community leaders were actively deliberating the question of sustainable mobility.
The collaboration between the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg and the ensemble of partners is a guarantee of the smooth functioning of the operation.
Electricité de Strasbourg, an EDF subsidiary, will provide an operational contribution of paramount importance to the project.
The collaboration between the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg and the ensemble of partners is a guarantee of the smooth functioning of the operation.
Electricité de Strasbourg, an EDF subsidiary, will provide an operational contribution of paramount importance to the project.
The scientific and technical contribution
The ensemble of these advanced mobility actions enter into the body of thought centered on the «carbon-free» vehicle, and backed by the plan presented by the French President in October 2008. As such, this testing project benefits from assistance granted on the part of the ADEME administered «Demonstration Funds».
These greater-metropolitan-scale experiments will allow for a better understanding through experience in a number of areas:
• for automaker Toyota, the validation of the techno-economic feasibility of the PHV solution prior to engaging in mass-market commercialization in the middle term
• for energy supplier EDF, the testing of different operational charging solutions, and the selection of the appropriate infrastructure as it relates to safety and cost
• for the local authorities, a study of the new ways in which the public travels in a multi-mode context, harmoniously combining public and individual transport
• for the French government, a definition of the conditions for success for electric mobility in their adaptation of future regulatory issues
• for experts from the scientific community, an enrichment of their reflection on sustainable mobility
These greater-metropolitan-scale experiments will allow for a better understanding through experience in a number of areas:
• for automaker Toyota, the validation of the techno-economic feasibility of the PHV solution prior to engaging in mass-market commercialization in the middle term
• for energy supplier EDF, the testing of different operational charging solutions, and the selection of the appropriate infrastructure as it relates to safety and cost
• for the local authorities, a study of the new ways in which the public travels in a multi-mode context, harmoniously combining public and individual transport
• for the French government, a definition of the conditions for success for electric mobility in their adaptation of future regulatory issues
• for experts from the scientific community, an enrichment of their reflection on sustainable mobility
A new type of cleaner vehicle for sustainable mobility
The vehicle developed for the Strasbourg demonstration and offered for lease by Toyota is a rechargeable version derived from the hybrid gasoline/electricity Toyota Prius III model.