Plug-in Hybrid Toyota Prius to attempt 1,100 mile trip
The plug-in hybrid Prius, called the Electric Green Machine, will be leaving Earl Stewart Toyota of North Palm Beach, FL at noon on Monday, June 1, anticipating arrival in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, June 11. In a ceremony at 11:30 a.m., Monday, June 1, the fuel tank of the Electric Green Machine will be filled and then sealed with a tamper-proof cover. Upon its arrival in Washington, D.C., it will be verified that the fuel tank has not been opened and the trip has been completed on one tank of gas. The Electric Green Machine is expected to be near Raleigh on June 8, 2009.
AVRC modified the 2009 Prius with a A123/Hymotion Lithium battery, creating an electric, plug-in hybrid able to travel 30-40 miles without using any gas. Kearney will drive the modified Prius 30-40 miles, and then stop and plug in for a few hours to recharge the battery before continuing the epic journey. Mileage is expected to exceed 120 MPG.
According to Dick Dell, AVRC Executive Director, “the AVRC is pleased to be the installer of the plug-in hybrid conversion of the Electric Green Machine. We are equipped to handle conversions for entire fleets of cars and trucks and are excited to be a pivotal part of this green transformation."
Follow the Prius-Plus Electric Green Machine on its North Palm Beach to Washington, D.C. trek on the web at
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/earl_stewart_toyota_npb,
Twitter http://twitter.com/EarlsToyota and Facebook. Through the use of a GPS tracking system you can follow the Electric Green Machine’s progress at www.earlstewarttoyota.com.
Earl Stewart Toyota recognizes that hybrid and electric vehicles will play important roles in the future of transportation and is staging this trip to call attention to the gas-saving and cost-saving aspects of this technology.
Although electric cars would not typically be used for long trips, this trip demonstrates that hybrid electric cars are well suited to drivers who daily commute less than 40 miles, freeing them from the worry of ever-escalating gas prices.
WHO: The Advanced Vehicle Research Center who modified the vehicle, Earl Stewart Toyota who owns the vehicle, and Rick Kearney, hybrid technician and driver
WHAT: Plug-in electric Toyota Prius Green Machine will attempt an epic run from North Palm Beach to Washington, DC on 1 tank of gas. The vehicle was modified by the AVRC.
WHEN: Leaving North Palm Beach on June 1, 2009 and expected to arrive in Washington, DC on June 11, 2009
WHY: To demonstrate that hybrid electric cars are well suited to drivers whose daily commute less than 40 miles, freeing them from the worry of ever-escalating gas prices