Meeting the energy needs of the future requires a balanced solution, one that includes innovative and environmentally responsible projects like plug-in hybrid vehicles. This cutting-edge technology greatly increases fuel economy - up to 100 miles per gallon, while reducing emissions. View more information about plug-in hybrid vehicles in this resource document and in the text below.

Progress Energy Carolinas first plug-in hybrid vehicle will reduce mobile emissions while getting up to 100 miles per gallon.

Progress Energy Carolinas recently added a specially designed plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius to its fleet. The plug-in Prius is similar to standard hybrid vehicles, but can run twice as long with fewer emissions due to an enhanced battery pack capable of charging by plugging the car into any standard electric socket.

As part of Progress Energy's ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility, the company partnered with Raleigh-based Advanced Energy and Advanced Vehicle Research Center to convert its hybrid Prius into a plug-in vehicle that will reduce mobile emissions while getting up to 100 miles per gallon.

The plug-in Prius is charged at night when the demand for electricity is lower and is ready to run when the workday starts. In the coming months, the plug-in Prius will travel across Progress Energy's service area to shows and events to promote this new technology. The car's performance will be closely evaluated to determine future plug-in opportunities and applications for the company's fleet.

Progress Energy and Advanced Energy recently sponsored one of the nation’s first plug-in hybrid electric school buses for the Wake County, N.C., school system.

Plug-in hybrid school bus

The same advanced technology is being used in the nation's first plug-in hybrid electric school bus sponsored by Progress Energy and Advanced Energy for Wake County, N.C. This revolutionary school bus can double fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by up to 90 percent.

The new bus is part of a nationwide initiative called the Plug-In Hybrid Electric School Bus Project. It was built by IC Corporation, the largest manufacturer of school buses in the country, and Enova Systems, a leading provider of hybrid drive systems. Through a buyer's consortium of school districts, state energy agencies and student transportation providers, a total of 19 plug-in hybrid buses will be awarded throughout the country this year as part of this project.

Visit hybridschoolbus.org for more information.

Low-emission hybrid bucket truck

Progress Energy is taking its efforts for cleaner air and big fuel savings to the streets - with high-efficiency, low-emission hybrid bucket trucks. In 2007, Progress Energy Carolinas purchased two of these trucks, produced by International Truck and Engine Corporation, and plans to add three more soon. Using a hybrid electric drive unit that operates in parallel with a conventional diesel engine, these vehicles can save up to 1,000 gallons of fuel annually. These vehicles will also be monitored to track their lowered greenhouse gas emissions. Look for these 'green' bucket trucks coming soon to a street near you.

Additional Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Projects:

Industry Collaboration
Progress Energy is in active participant in the industry working groups helping to ensure a seamless customer experience for those buying plug-in vehicles and that the grid can easily manage the load. This also includes developing standards for connecting and communicating with vehicles and developing solutions for both home and public charging.  We are also in collaboration with major auto makers to help provide guidance for their vehicle development and test their vehicles as they become available.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Ford Escape
Progress Energy is proud to be one of the very first electric utilities in the country to partner with Ford to test their prototype plug-in hybrid Ford Escape.  This is an important milestone and enables us to evaluate plug-in vehicle technology as designed by a major auto manufacturer, not just an aftermarket conversion.  The trial is expected to last three years and will include testing of the battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage, and grid infrastructure.  The Ford PHEV, which can achieve up to 120 mpg in city driving, is already deployed in the Carolinas territory and a second vehicle is scheduled to arrive in Florida in June 2009.

Advanced Transportation Energy Center
 In 2008, Progress Energy helped to found the Advanced Transportation Energy Center (ATEC) at NC State University.  The mission of ATEC is to develop the fundamental and enabling technologies that will facilitate the advancement of plug in vehicles. This includes developing battery and power electronics technologies for more efficient electric drive and ability to manage the charging of large numbers of vehicles.

Plug-in Vehicle Impact Study
Building upon an impact study completed by the UNC Center for Sustainable Enterprise (UNC-CSE) for the Carolinas region, our company replicated the analysis for the Florida territory in 2008.  The study focused on the load impact, generation needs, and environmental impact associated with a large scale penetration of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.  The results verify a significant reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions, gasoline consumption, and vehicle operating costs. In addition, multiple charging scenarios reveal that the future load from vehicle could easily be handled with existing generation capacity especially when combined with smart charging technology.

Smart Charging Research
One of the important aspects for the grid to handle the future load of plug-in vehicles is the need to intelligently manage the charging of vehicles. For example, most vehicles could be sufficiently charged at home overnight but there is the potential to add to peak load if vehicles begin charging whenever they happen to be plugged into an outlet. Progress Energy is currently demonstrating V2Green smart charging technology on all of its plug-in Prius vehicles to monitor and manage when the vehicle can charge once plugged into an outlet. In 2009, the company will continue this research and participate in the nation’s first multi-utility smart charging evaluation to identity the charging concerns of vehicles that cross over utility boundaries.

Plug-In Vehicle Renewable Energy Charging
One of the potential benefits of significant PHEV adoption is the ability to “fuel” the vehicles from small-scale or large-scale renewable energy projects such as solar or wind. Progress Energy plans to demonstrate a solar charging station in 2009 and further investigate the commercial feasibility of similar technology. We are also an industry partner of the “Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management” (FREEDM) Systems Center at NC State that will develop the technology necessary to integrate distributed renewable generation and plug-in vehicles in the future.