Can you get any more real world than Canada in the winter 
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Mar. 25, 2010
2011 Toyota Prius-III PHEV-12/13 ready for launch!
Toyota Canada brings together academics, governments, cities and power authorities for a more sustainable transportation future.
The need for sustainable transportation is greater than ever, and as Toyota continues to prepare for transportation that relies on less fossil fuel, today it announced the first phase of a national Canadian partnership for real-world demonstrations of the all-new Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicle (Prius PHEV).
Compared to traditional hybrids, the Prius PHEV has the ability to recharge its newly developed Li-Ion battery from the electrical grid and travel longer distances and at faster speeds on electric-power alone. For consumers, this technology means fuel savings and lower emissions, bringing us closer than ever before to the ultimate eco-car.
Toyota Canada is working with 13 partners on the first phase of this national trial, including academics, provincial government departments, municipalities and provincial power authorities. Partnerships in four provinces – British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec – make this the first Canadian trial of advanced technology vehicles.
“We’re encouraged to be joined by partners, from across the stakeholder spectrum, to ensure a successful introduction of plug-in vehicles to Canada,” noted Sandy Di Felice, Director, External Affairs at TCI. “Each province that is a part of this national trial has already shown great vision in planning for plug-in vehicles.”
TCI will provide each province with a Prius PHV to conduct their local test program, and a fifth Prius PHV will remain with TCI for its own technical and marketing tests. Trials will begin shortly and continue through next winter to assess Prius PHV performance under a range of driving and climate conditions.
Each test vehicle will be fitted with a telematics device to capture performance data, and partners are encouraged to drive their Prius PHEV in as many road, traffic and weather conditions as possible.
Based on the world’s most popular hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius PHEV is designed to deliver a range of more than 12.5 miles and top speed of almost 62 mph on the battery alone. In addition, a small onboard Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine enables the vehicle to revert to hybrid mode and operate like a regular Prius – giving the vehicle the driving range and performance Canadians demand from today’s automobiles.
“We’re pleased that Canada has been selected as one of the participating countries for Toyota’s global test of the Prius PHEV. This enables us to conduct technical and market acceptance tests unique to Canada’s driving experiences and climatic conditions,” Ms. Di Felice concluded. “Moreover, feedback from the Canadian tests will help ensure the Prius PHV performs well in any country where drivers encounter cold temperatures, ice and snow.”
The partners are as follows:
- British Columbia:
BC Institute of Technology
BC Hydro
City of Vancouver
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
University of Victoria’s Institute for Integrated Energy Systems
- Manitoba:
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines
University of Manitoba
- Ontario:
AUTO21 Network of Centres of Excellence
City of Toronto
- Québec:
Université Laval
Ministère des ressources naturelles et de la faune (Ministry of Natural Resources and Wildlife)
Hydro-Québec
Although we will probably never see the actual test data, can you imagine starting your day in a 2011 Prius-III PHEV-12/13 with a slightly warmed pack in minus 20 degrees F temps?
I go by the fleet lot twice a day and it seems to be there parked more than any other vehicle. During the winter, there were periods where a lot of snow would build up behind it, indicating it hadn't moved in a while. It's too bad because the University apparently spent quite a lot on that car, and it could work so well for commuting around the campus.
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