TransForum Vol. 7, No. 1

Electric Power Research Institute and Argonne Agree to Collaboratively Assess Commerical Viability of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Argonne National Laboratory, two of the nation's premier research organizations, have entered into a three-year collaborative agreement to conduct the next level of analysis of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) aimed at assessing the commercial feasibility of this technology.

EPRI and Argonne will analyze PHEVs versus hybrids and conventional vehicles, assessing them from environmental, cost, design, and marketing perspectives. The engineering and technical studies will be conducted at the two organizations' respective research facilities in Palo Alto, California, and Argonne, Illinois, and will involve the participation of some of the world's leading experts in vehicle transportation.

The objective of the multi-year research project is to provide a balanced and authoritative study of both the advantages of and the challenges to the design and commercial production of PHEVs. An assessment of potential social benefits of PHEVs, including reductions in imported petroleum-based fuels, enhancement of America's energy security, and air quality improvement will be key components of the study.

The research project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program, is the latest in ongoing formative research that began in 2001 with the EPRI study, "Comparing the Benefits and Impacts of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Options," and the Argonne study "Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology Assessment." The new project will look carefully at the effect of PHEVs on the nation's economy, and their viability from an industrial and manufacturing perspective.

EPRI was established in 1973 as an independent, nonprofit center for public interest energy and environmental research. EPRI brings together members, participants, the Institute's scientists and engineers, and other leading experts to work collaboratively on solutions to the challenges of electric power. These solutions span nearly every area of electricity generation, delivery, and use, including health, safety, and environment. EPRI's members represent over 90% of the electricity generated in the United States. International participation represents nearly 15% of EPRI's total research, development, and demonstration program.

March 2, 2007