DaimlerChrysler Tests Plug-In Customer Fleets

More than 20 Dodge Sprinter Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) will be placed in the U.S. by the first quarter of 2008 as part of a test fleet program. Four of the vehicles are already in operation with customers. DaimlerChrysler is currently evaluating a variety of plug-in hybrid powertrain configurations under customer-operation conditions in real-world service. A number of the PHEVs are equipped with Li-ion batteries which are half the weight and have much greater storage capacities compared to nickel-metal hydride batteries. The vehicles will yield technical information through real world driving conditions about lifetime, performance and cost of batteries. Based on Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle technology, the Sprinter PHEV can drive up to 20 miles on electric-only power. A switch on the dashboard gives the operator the ability to manually switch between modes as needed, or automatically by the vehicle control system. Two different combustion engines are being offered in the PHEV – diesel or gasoline. The diesel version will yield the highest fuel economy benefit and is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system.