17
June
2010
|
18:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Introduction

—Foreword

—A project for tomorrow's mobility

—A new type of cleaner vehicle for sustainable mobility

—Superb versatility adaptable to the needs of the whole family

—Available and smart charging

Foreword

Working together in building low-carbon mobility, Toyota and EDF have been developing since 2007 a pilot project for conducting tests on plug-in hybrid vehicles combined with communicating charging technologies.

Today, we are launching the second phase of this project. It comprises a demonstration, in real-life conditions in Strasbourg and its region, concerning about one hundred plug-in hybrid vehicles and a network of dedicated charging infrastructures. This ambitious and pioneer programme is backed by ADEME (the French Energy Efficiency Office) within the framework of its "Demonstrators Fund" research programme for vehicles with zero-emission of greenhouse gases, and benefits from the valuable support of the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg.

For three years, this project will be the subject of top-level scientific and technical monitoring. In a few months we will be drawing the first conclusions which we will then share with you.

During this two-day introduction programme, you will be able to meet and talk with our partners and many car-users in order to understand their motivation concerning the project, and more clearly identify their personal or professional transport needs. You, also, can become a player in electric mobility for a few hours by testing the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and its charging system.

Thanks:

Toyota and the EDF Group express their thanks to ADEME, the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg, as well as all the public and private partners in the Alsace region, who accepted to take up this challenge in innovation.

A project for tomorrow's mobility

About one hundred plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) in a demonstration in Strasbourg and the surrounding region

EDF and Toyota have teamed up for a large-scale real-life testing of the newest generation of clean and economic vehicles in Strasbourg.

This demonstration, supported by the City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg, will enable verification, under real-life conditions, of the applicability of a new solution to individual mobility. Its objective is to record actual savings achieved by the users during their day-to-day trips, the whole year long.

Furthermore, the project has received funding through the «demonstration fund for low-greenhouse gas emission vehicles» created within the framework of the Grenelle de l'Environnement administered by ADEME.

Starting in April 2010 and during a three-year period, around 100 Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs) will be allied to a number of operational recharging solutions, designed to facilitate electric charging and billing procedures.

The EDF — Toyota partnership

Since September 2007, EDF and Toyota are partners in an experimental programme involving the use of 3 PHV prototypes in the fleet of EDF, and since September 2008 of 1 vehicle at EDF Energy in the United Kingdom. EDF and Toyota also experiment a new generation of charging points, called 'PLC', which are able to communicate with the vehicle.

The demonstration programme is the logical follow-up to this initial research and development phase, during which around 50 participants from the EDF Group took part as drivers of the first generation of PHVs.

Based on very encouraging results from these initial tests, EDF and Toyota decided to pursue testing at the next level, experimenting using one hundred or so of the latest-generation PHVs with — thanks to lithium-ion batteries — increased autonomy, and within a large European metropolitan area.

A network of partners serving the mobility of tomorrow

In Strasbourg, EDF and Toyota have forged partnerships with actors in the public and private sector (businesses, local authorities) eager to introduce PHVs into their vehicle fleets as service vehicles, or as company cars for their personnel.

The diversity use profiles will allow for a determination of the ecological footprint and economic impact of these clean and cost-saving vehicles, within the urban and suburban milieu.

Strasbourg - first city to experience the PHV in Europe

Strasbourg has always been an innovative city on transportation matters. In an economy-minded and dynamic institutional environment, municipal groups and community leaders were actively deliberating the question of sustainable mobility.

The collaboration between the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg and the ensemble of partners is a guarantee of the smooth functioning of the operation.

Electricité de Strasbourg, an EDF subsidiary, will provide an operational contribution of paramount importance to the project.

The scientific and technical contribution

The ensemble of these advanced mobility actions enter into the body of thought centered on the «carbon-free» vehicle, and backed by the plan presented by the French President in October 2008. As such, this testing project benefits from assistance granted on the part of the ADEME administered «Demonstration Funds».

These greater-metropolitan-scale experiments will allow for a better understanding throug experience in a number of areas:

for automaker Toyota, the validation of the techno-economic feasibility of the PHV solution prior to engaging in mass-market commercialization in the middle term

for energy supplier EDF, the testing of different operational charging solutions, and the selection of the appropriate infrastructure as it relates to safety and cost

for the local authorities, a study of the new ways in which the public travels in a multi-mode context, harmoniously combining public and individual transport

for the French government, a definition of the conditions for success for electric mobility in their adaptation of future regulatory issues

for experts from the scientific community, an enrichment of their reflection on sustainable mobility

A new type of cleaner vehicle for sustainable mobility

The vehicle developed for the Strasbourg demonstration and offered for lease by Toyota is a rechargeable version derived from the hybrid gasoline/electricity Toyota Prius III model.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain

Principles of operation

—over short distances of up to 20 km, the vehicle functions noiselessly and with no emissions in electric mode

—the battery is rechargeable in one and a half hours, for a full charge on residential/domestic wiring, at public parking facilities, or at a roadside terminal (on a 230 V, 16 A nominal single phase outlet)

—for longer trips, the vehicle functions in hybrid gasoline/electricity mode

Its principal advantages are:

—a reduced ecological footprint, thanks to an electricity emitting little CO2, less atmospheric pollution, less noise

—reduced energy consumption and reduced energy costs (gasoline/electricity) thanks to an electricity at up to 5 times cheaper than fossil fuels

—freedom of movement over a distance of several hundred kilometers

—energy conservation and the preservation of fossil fuel resources

The project objective is the realization of tangible savings for drivers on the cost of their daily travel throughout the year.

Superb versatility adaptable to the needs of the whole family

This family sedan can transport 5 passengers and their luggage with ease (trunk volume: 400 liters)

Modular seating: The Toyota rechargeable hybrid offers a multitude of interior seating arrangements.

—Lease duration: 36 months

—Toyota, through its Strasbourg dealerships, will provide maintenance and technical follow-up for the vehicles

Principle vehicle characteristics:

—Gasoline engine: 1.8 VVT-i / 4 cylinder

—Electric motor: 60 kW

—Vehicle can attain speeds of 100 km/h in electric mode

—Battery: Lithium-ion

—Continuously variable transmission

Night recharging on the domestic grid at reduced rates possible

In-town trips:

—Functions in electric mode

Longer trips:

—Functions in hybrid mode, combining the electric motor and the gasoline engine

—Highly fuel-efficient

—Zero emissions in electric mode

Available and smart charging

Charging points in and around Strasbourg

Drivers will be able to recharge the battery of their Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) through use of recharging points located at company parking sites or at home. While out on the road, thirty or so recharging points will be available to drivers along roadways and at public parking facilities within the greater Strasbourg metropolitan area.

Easy-to-locate charging points

Working closely with the City and Urban Community of Strasbourg, these points are installed near municipal nerve centers. They are easily visible and accessible to all. The charging network has been designed to serve a wide range of vehicle user outings.

How is the battery charged?

The PHV is recharged in the same manner as your other everyday electrical devices, provided a specific, dedicated outlet is available. The user plugs the detachable cable of the PHV into the socket of the charge point. The duration for a full recharge is around one and a half hours. During the demonstration, only approved and registered EDF charge points are authorized for use.

Charging point conditions of use

The electricity transferred will be charged to businesses, when recharging takes place at the workplace and to the employee when charging takes place at his/her residence. At public parking sites and along roadways, the cost is not charged to users

.

A full recharge costs around 0.40 &euro*.

The communication-enabled charging terminal — the solution of the future

This project will permit EDF to test out the different operational recharging solutions. Automobiles are offering more and more services to drivers and passengers (screens, electronic controls, communication and navigation systems…). It is within this frame of reference that EDF has developed a new system of communication-enabled terminals. Integrated inside the charging point and within the vehicle, the system uses onboard technology as a way to simplify to the fullest the terminal infrastructure, and make vehicle recharging as easy and as safe as possible. The visual aspect of the terminal essentially presents an electrical outlet — one specific to PHVs. To activate the system, the user plugs in his vehicle the terminal then begins communicating with the vehicle. If the safety and energy credit conditions are confirmed, the transfer of electricity to the vehicle commences.

Thanks to a secure 3G modem communication link, the terminals are in contact with a supervised central control system. This system, managed by Sodetrel**, will provide real-time information on the status of the charging point and coordinate a maintenance program. Vehicle recharging data will be amassed by the system throughout the test period

*Based on the blue rate (least expensive) as of 31 March 2010

**SODETREL

A wholly owned EDF Subsidiary, Sodetrel provides clients, local authorities and/or public transport authorities a complete "onboard energy" service for batteries and recharging systems destined for electric powered vehicles: assessment, investment, leasing, maintenance, safety guarantees, 3 to 12 year contracts.

The current Sodetrel market concerns electric buses for the most part, but also includes delivery trucks, passenger shuttle-type watercraft and small tourist trains.

Sodetrel will superintend operation and maintenance of the charging terminals for the Strasbourg project throughout the 3 years of testing.