MGE Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid electric
Starting in 2007, MGE began testing commercially available hybrid electric vehicles for various fleet operations. We currently use Ford Escape hybrids for meter reading and other light-duty functions. We are exploring replacement options for our heavier-duty trucks.
Plug-in hybrid electric
MGE purchased a standard Toyota Prius hybrid and hired A123 Hymotion to add another, larger battery—one that is charged with grid power via an electric cord plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet. If widely adopted, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) using electricity from the utility grid could dramatically impact our future.
See also: MGE electric vehicle charging research
How hybrid electric vehicles work
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more power sources to propel the vehicle. A standard Prius hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is powered by a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The electricity powering the motor comes from an onboard battery. The battery is charged by the engine and by vehicle braking and deceleration. The vehicle can operate in all-electric or all-gasoline mode, or it can operate on both simultaneously. Standard hybrids are estimated to achieve about 45 mpg.
How plug-in hybrid electric vehicles work
MGE's modified Prius uses electricity generated by power plants to charge a second, bigger battery to power the car. The vehicle draws electricity from the new grid-powered battery first. When this battery is depleted, the original Prius battery kicks in to provide power as originally designed by Toyota. When driven at lower speeds, 34 mph or less, this PHEV can travel as far as 30 miles on a single charge without using gasoline. Overall, this car may be able to achieve over 100 mpg.
PHEV performance
We have installed a fully automated monitoring device in our plug-in hybrid that monitors such things as:
- Fuel efficiency.
- Electricity use.
- Engine function.
- GPS data.
It communicates directly with the Idaho National Laboratory, which is operated for the Department of Energy (DOE) by Battelle Energy Alliance. We receive monthly reports from the DOE about our vehicle performance as it is driven by various people in various conditions. Following are their reports:
February 2011 [304 kB PDF]
January 2011 [315 kB PDF]
December 2010 [313 kB PDF]
November 2010 [313 kB PDF]
October 2010 [314 kB PDF]
September 2010 [312 kB PDF]
August 2010 [305 kB PDF]
July 2010 [307 kB PDF]
June 2010 [310 kB PDF]
May 2010 [301 kB PDF]
April 2010 [292 kB PDF]
March 2010 [234 kB PDF]
February 2010 [287 kB PDF]
January 2010 [275 kB PDF]
December 2009 [238 kB PDF]
November 2009 [306 kB PDF]
October 2009 [311 kB PDF]
September 2009 [524 kB PDF]
August 2009 [459 kB PDF]
July 2009 [457 kB PDF]
June 2009 [521 kB PDF]
May 2009 [446 kB PDF]
April 2009 [442 kB PDF]
March 2009 [456 kB PDF]
February 2009 [517 kB PDF]
January 2009 [285 kB PDF]
December 2008 [293 kB PDF]
November 2008 [295 kB PDF]
October 2008 [447 kB PDF]
September 2008 [446 kB PDF]
August 2008 [443 kB PDF]
July 2008 [440 kB PDF]
Historical hybrid use
We have a 30-year history of testing alternative-fueled vehicles in our fleet. Most have been hybrids, that is, duel-fueled vehicles. We have used:
- Electric
- Beginning in 1975
- Battery fire in 1978 ended the project
- Liquid Propane
- Beginning in 1978
- 60 vehicles at peak use
- Switched to all CNG in 1988
- Compressed Natural Gas
- Beginning in 1986 through today
- 50 vehicles at peak use
- CNG vehicles no longer readily available
- Biodiesel
- Beginning in 1999
- Switched to ultra-low sulfur biodiesel in 2006
For more information
Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Exploring New Technology [930 kB PDF]
Hybrid Vehicles at MGE [309 kB PDF]
U.S. DOE Electric Vehicle Information
