Toyota Prius Emergency Response Guide
1/1/2001
This document outlines the proper procedures to take when dealing with a roadside emergency, collision, or breakdown of a Toyota Prius hybrid electric vehicle.
Notes: If you are interested in obtaining a copy of this document, please contact your local Toyota dealer.
Electric Trams: Alternative Fuel Vehicles At Cape Cod National Seashore
6/1/2000
Two remodeled electric trams rejoined the all-electric visitor transportation fleet at the Cape Cod National Seashore. The Trams were previously hybrid vehicles that operated on a combination of propane and electricity. Conversion to pure electric power was necessary to make the trams more efficient and reduce the need for recharging every few hours.
Analysis of Technology Options to Reduce the Fuel Consumption of Idling Trucks
6/1/2000
Long-haul trucks idling overnight consume more than 838 million gallons (20 million barrels) of fuel annually. Idling also emits pollutants. Truck drivers idle their engines primarily to heat or cool the cab and/or sleeper, keep the fuel warm in winter, and keep the engine warm in the winter so that the engine is easier to start. Alternatives to overnight idling could save much of this fuel, reduce emissions, and cut operating costs. Several fuel-efficient alternatives to idling are available to provide heating and cooling: direct-fire heater for cab/sleeper heating, with or without storage cooling; auxiliary power units; and truck stop electrification. Many of these technologies have drawbacks that limit market acceptance. Options that supply electricity are economically viable for trucks that are idled for 1,000-3,000 or more hours a year, while heater units could be used across the board. Payback times for fleets, which would receive quantity discounts on the prices, would be somewhat shorter.
Authors: Stodolsky, F.;Gaines, L.;Vyas, A.
Program Analysis Methodology Office of Transportation Technologies Quality Metrics Final Report 2001
2/23/2000
This report focuses on the projected benefits of the forty-one programs currently supported through the Office of Transportation Technologies (OTT) under EE/RE. For analytical purposes, these various benefits are subdivided in terms of Planning Units which are related to the OTT program structure. The scope of this report encompasses light vehicles including passenger automobiles and class 1 & 2 (light) trucks, as well as class 3 through 8 (heavy) trucks. The range of light vehicle technologies investigated include electric, hybrid electric, fuel cell, advanced diesel, natural gas fueled, and stratified charge direct-injection. A future distribution of light vehicle sizes, applications, and performance levels is calculated based on current vehicle stocks and trends, and consumer preferences. The heavy vehicle technologies investigated include hybrid, natural gas-fueled and advanced diesel. The effects of advanced materials technologies across all vehicle types are also analyzed.
Authors: Patterson, P.; Maples, J.;Moore, J.; Birky, A.
Notes: This report is available in PDF format on the Office of Transportation Technology's Web site http://www.ott.doe.gov/facts/publications/QM2001.pdf
Limited Progress in Acquiring Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Reaching Fuel Goals
2/1/2000
with the first deadline approaching for EPAct's petroleum replacement goals the GAO was asked to review progress towards achieving EPACT goals. gao was asked to determine the progress made in acquiring alternative fuel vehicles and using altnerative fuels to meeting the act's fuel replacement goals. Also, GAO determined the impediments to using alternative fuel vehicles and the measures that can be taken to address those impediments in order to reach the act's replacement goals.
Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Production and Operating Costs
11/1/1999
This report presents an analysis of the initial cost of electric vehicles (EVs). The manufacturing and retail cost structure of mature conventional vehicles produced at high volume is analyzed first, and the contributions by various cost categories to vehicle price are estimated. The costs are then allocated to such vehicle component groups as body, chassis, and powertrain. The similarities and differences among various component systems are reviewed. In electric vehicles an electric drive replaces the conventional powertrain, and a battery pack replaces the fuel system. Three types of traction motors are reviewed, and their cost in high-volume production is analyzed. Various components of the motor and controller package are analyzed, and their representative costs are summarized. Four types of EV batteries are reviewed, and their costs are presented. Various alternatives for the low-, medium, and high-volume production of EVs are evaluated, and some sample costs are presented. A methodology that estimates initial and operating costs on the basis of this analysis is presented. The methodology also estimates the average lifetime cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle.
Authors: Cuenca, R.;Gains, L.;Vyas, A.
Notes: This document is available on the Argonne National Laboratory Transportation Technology Research and Development Center Web Site: http://www.transportation.anl.gov/ttrdc/publications/pdfs/esd-41.pdf
Perspectives on AFVs: State and City Government Fleet Manager Survey
2/1/1999
In an effort to reduce national dependence on imported oil and to improve urban air quality, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is promoting the development and deployment of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). To support this activity, DOE has directed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop and conduct projects to evaluate the performance and acceptability of light-duty AFVs compared to similar gasoline vehicles. As part of this effort, NREL has undertaken a number of evaluation projects, including conducting telephone surveys with fleet managers and drivers of AFVs in the federal fleet. This report summarizes the results of the survey of state and city government fleet managers.
Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Real-World Perspectives from the Federal Fleet
7/1/1998
Vehicles that run onfuels other than gasoline, or "alternative fuel" vehicles (AFVs), offer great promise for improving air quality and lessening our nation's dependence on imported oil. But if they are to fulfill this promise and replace traditional gasoline vehicles on a large scale, they must meed the needs of the people using them, and consumers must have access to"real-world" information about them. Do they drive as well as gasoline vehicles? Are their refueling stations as convenient as the corner gas station? Can we expect the same reliability that we've come to expect from our gasoline vehicles? How better to answer these questions than to ask the people who are actually running the AFVs? So in 1996, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national labortory, designed a nationwide study to capture the opinions of federal fleet managers and drivers onthe performance, reliability, driveability, and acceptability of AFVs. NREL put together this short brochure to serve as a "quick look" summaryof the surveys and their results.
Authors: Whalen, P
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 6, No. 1)
5/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) EPA's redesign of conversion certification policies; 2) the introduction of an NGV incentive Bill in Congress; 3) the introduction of the Boxer Bill in Congress; 4) New Jersey transit's expanded refueling infrastructure; 5) a Sacramento group's efforts to increase awareness of EV benefits; 6) testing of hybrid electric buses by a New York R&D group; 7) the use of heavy-duty LNG vehicles at the L.A. Airport and USPS; 8) the introduction of a medium-duty NGV by DOE and USPS; 9) NGVC's council to support LNG; 10) EV charging sites in Arizona; 11) a fuel company's purchase of natural gas refueling stations; 12) the reduced cost of methanol in California; 13) heavy-duty alternatives from OEMs and rebuilders; 14) Chrysler's announcement of an E-85 minivan and gasoline-powered fuel cell; 15) Ford's provision of 15 E85 minivans for use in state and USPS fleets; 16) GM's announcement of CNG options in Sierra and C-Series pickup trucks; 17) DOE funding; 18) a Virginia company's CNG helicopters; 19) Clean Cities' addition of the first two Ohio cities; 20) the future of CNG in Philadelphia; and 21) the Clean Cities conference.
AFDC Update: News of the Alternative Fuels Data Center (Vol. 5, No. 4)
2/1/1997
This issue includes articles on: 1) Clinton's issuance of an Executive Order on alternative fuels; 2) passage of the Propane Education and Research Act of 1996 through Congress; 3) The introduction of an NGV incentives package by the House Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force; 4) a New York bond act for clean fuel programs; 5) California's veto of an AFV incentive; 6) a "Stealth Bus" in Los Angeles; 7) Ashland Chemical, Inc.'s switch to M85 Ford Tauruses in its fleet; 8) New York City's increasing use of alternative fuels; 9) Iowa DOT's blend of biodiesel in heavy-duty vehicles; 10) King County, Washington's use of natural gas in police fleets; 11) heavy-duty trucks on ethanol; 12) UPS's plans to double its NGV fleet by 1998; 13) EV charging sites in Arizona; 14) changes at the National Biodiesel Board; 15) alternative fuel refueling sites on the Web; 16) the U.S. Postal Service and the DOE's plans to introduce a CNG mail truck; 17) Clean Cities; 18) Honda's announcement of a natural gas Civic; 19) the rise of alternative fuel bus purchases; 20) Ford Motor Company's AFV rebates; 21) natural gas testing in U.S. Volvos; 22) the introduction of EV1s; 23) Nissan's use of lithium-ion in its electric vehicles; and 24) plans for cleaner off-road engines.
Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Emergency Responder Information
1/1/1997
Toyota developed Emergency Response Guides (ERG's) to educate and assist emergency responders in the safe handling of Toyota alternative fuel vehicles that incorporate CNG, hydrogen, or high voltage electrical systems. The ERG's cover emergency response procedures in the following specific areas: vehicle identification; high voltage; hydrogen and cng gas systems; disabling procedures and warnings; extrication; and roadside assistance. Guides are available for the CNG Camry, RAV4 EV, Prius (Model Years 2001 to 2004), and Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle.